We had to get up at 3.45 am for breakfast at four. Having said our goodbyes we headed of back up the river to Coca. despite all the rain, the water level seemed lower than when we’d made the outward trip, so we had to do more traversing. The current was against us and the trip took about six hours. We had two comfort stops and very sore bums. It was very cold, and raining most of the way.

At Coca we were taken by rickety bus to the airport. Toasted cheese sandwiches (with mild, soapy, Ecuadorian cheese) were taking about 20 minutes to cook, but we got one each eventually. The plane was about one hour late.

As we flew into Quito, I could follow the road which we’d taken from Cochasquí to Quito just a few days ago. The taxi from the airport to El Cafecito took an excellent route parallel to Avenida Amazonas and then cutting through the back of Avenida Colón.

We retrieved the clothes which we’d left behind, and gave a large bag of washing to the maid as we left almost straight away to confirm our Iberia flights back to Madrid and London. We had a look in a few souvenir shops while we were out. Oli is undecided between an alpaca rug and a Panama hat, but he would also like to take a large, man size, balsa parrot home with him. I would also like the parrot, but can’t think of any place to put such a huge beast in our current house. I’m sure that Joy would appreciate the rug more if I can afford it.

As usual, we became quite hungry, so headed for the Magic bean for enchiladas and fruit juice. Then it was back to El Cafecito for a shower and a bit of rest. The plumbing had been (sort of) fixed, so Oli and Dad had warmish showers. I had ½ minute of cold shower before the water completely stopped.

In the evening we went down to Reina Victoria for a pint of Newcastle Brown. What a surprise - they didn’t have any! Instead we had some awful German lager. Oli beat me twice at darts - once at 301, and again at Round the Clock.
The Flying Dutchman had been recommended to us for a curry and Indonesian by David. It was closed, so we went down to Big Dave’s Taco Factory for a taco and a couple of Margueritas. Big Dave is also known as Humungeous Hugh, Man Mountain Malcom and Gigantic Jim (you had to be there!). He always looks as if he’s about to burp. He is 6’3" and Texan and has an Ecuadorian wife who is about 4’9". The tacos were excellent.