High Above Quito, Ecuador! 9/28/18

We took a gondola (Teleférico) up to the top of Quito’s of Cruz Loma. The Teleférico is the highest skyrail in South America. It starts at 9678 ft above sea level and ends at 13,287 ft above sea level. In addition to the amazing view of Quito, and it is also just next to Pichincha volcano.

Oh yeah, and there’s an awesome swing up there too!

All of us were feeling the altitude. There were just a few hills to get to the top, and it pretty much took all we had to get the girls up there.

Taking a break, of many, while working our way to the top.

Once there, we did a little swinging, but really needed to grab lunch at the nearby plato stand that served a variety of grilled meats, Corn on the cob, and potatoes. I ended up getting the Yee Quon highly coveted chicken back :).

She’s fanning the coals, but it must have been the end of lunch cause it took awhile to get our food out, and then i still had to send my raw chicken back for more cooking. $2.50 for a plate of chicken, that skewer of meat and potatoes, and some salad.

Fergus and Ollie are some great friends we met. Friends of Cathy, Kairina’s roommate from college. They live here in Ecuador, Fergus is from the UK.

Enjoying the amazing view from above.

Quito. We could practically see our apartment complex from here.

Next was a horse ride to learn more about the Pichincha Volcano and flora of the area. Super nice tour guides. $5/ horse for 25 minutes. Not bad.

That’s Rucu Pichincha between Karina and me. Its one of the 3 peaks that are a part of Pichincha volcano.

The Girls got their own horse. KaiKai, 4 years old, has the reigns.

Really some beautiful landscape! Especially, when the horse is doing the walking ;)

Here’s one of many medicinal plants in the area. Used for inflammations, liver, and kidney issues.

I love how the kids find play in whatever surroundings they find themselves in . . . even the horse corral. That there is a hanging contest. I think the winner lasted for 42 seconds.

Some more swinging over Quito, and down we go.

Some of the peaks surrounding Quito.

So many panoramic shots. I’ll leave you with this one. And since i got my drone out for the first time on the trip, I’ll send out some video shots of the flight soon.