Greetings from Quito!!

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Hello Everyone,

Welcome to our first travel blog entry.

We are currently in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, which is about 3000 metres above sea level so going up and down stairs tends to leave you rather breathless - but all good training for the Inca Trail!

Our first few days were spent in and around the city itself, including a trip to Mittad Del Mundo, which is located on the equator.

We have just returned from a 4 day trip to the Amazonian rainforest. We stayed at a wonderful hotel called Casa Del Suizo located on the banks of the Rio Napa. They say that you get to experience all 4 seasons in one day here and it is certainly true - we´ve had hot and humid, wet and windy, sunny and freezing cold. It has been a great experience, with treks through the rainforest, trips down the river on our own "home made" raft, lots of bird spotting and of course mosquito bites and a few very itchy red ant bites - all par for the course!!

Tomorrow we head south to the Quinatoa National Park for some trekking in the Andes. We were going to continue onto Banos, however, as you may have seen on the news, there has been a huge volcanic erruption - so we´ll be giving that one a miss!

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Hasta luego
Mark & Sue X

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Comments

[The Gull]

Opener
Good 1st blog gang - fair play to you techno kids! However some details seem to be missing. After 4 days of treking surely Casper must have sustained an injury of some description along the way? More info please!

[Sue and Mark]

Quito calling SEAGULL
There was the obligatory twisted right ankle Mr C-GULL, but nothing serious. All present and correct!

[Al Daw]

Soo good 2 hear from u, keep it coming with loads of pics please. Looking forward to the next installment. Take good care. Allison

[Jo and Mark]

Clothes sharing?!
Bet you're both just glad the adventure has started. It looks great and we're already jealous, well we were before you even set off!! Good to see that you have already started the "sharing of clothes" ritual to save on washing/packing etc!! you both look really happy and well..... take care xx

[carpet monkey!]

living the dream!
Farticus and the lovely Suzie! its a good thing you are so organised, as was worried how i would ever find this blog thing! Photo's are great, good to see you both, and you look extremely happy, as you would be seeing the world and not working the good old 9-5 ay! Feeling a little battered, hence the very stiggy message, will write another when im more together... mark on a serious note do you want me to do anything for you for nan?Flowers are already arranged from all grandchildren, but would you like me to do a card from you with a message? ok well thats my essay, will be expecting corrections on my grammer, spelling and punctuation. Simon says hello and ill get him to write to you both soon, which he is gagging to do being the extravert that he is! Take care love you lots big X X X X X X X X X X

[Beccy Brown]

Travellers don't stay in hotels
You have to be the poshest travellers I know! Get into that jungle and start eating grubs and leaves! I meant to call you before you left but hey ho, you're gone and we didn't speak. Make the most of it - I know you both will. Mark you may even come back a shade of brown! It's lovely to track your adventures. Lots of love xx

[Clare]

Hi guys, i've only just got the blog address from Pete, so it's great to see the pictures and here your stories so far. It all sounds amazing, you both look very well and relaxed. No major news this end, all work and no play unfortunatley so you ain't missing much. Your weather sounds a bit like ours all over the place, we are promised more sunshine but I fear summer may have gone. Enjoy your travels, keep us updated, love to you both, Clare and Pete xxxxxxx

[The Griffin]

UPDATE PLEASE!
Well it was good to read your 1st entry some time ago, looking forward to reading something new though. Where have you been since, any funny stories etc. etc.