I think I must be getting used to the altitude here in Quito, along with the way things work or rather don't when it comes to Ecuadorian SIM Cards. Hopefully one of the Bike Dream's crew will tell me on Tuesday or Wednesday how to make international phone calls and activate the data roaming facility, so that I've got the ability to access Skype and utilise Google maps!
On a more positive note however, I caught up with the Norwegian contingent of the Andes Tour! Knut Erling Wedul, Hilde & Kristin Vollan along with the solitary Kiwi in the group - Viv Hazelton.
Team tactics were discussed and the decision made in the end, why the hell would we want to ride as fast is humanely possible simply to get to the campsite/hotel first. This is an opportunity of a lifetime and that taking in the sights along the way is far more important than being able to choose the best spot to set up tent or what have you.
Once we got that little dilemma out of the way, we decided to practice what we preached by heading (by taxi) up to Teleferico Quito, to see if we could be "real" tourists given that it's apparently it's one of the highest aerial lifts in the world! Admittedly though it does get a bit of a head start given that it's starting base is on a mountain top just out of Quito!
At this point I should perhaps also mention that at 2800 Metres above sea level, Quito is highest capital city in the world. Essentially though, the gondola takes you up to the top of the summit which is some 4100 metres high, is also the starting point for anyone daft enough to hike up Pichincha Volcano which is a further 500 - 600 metres up!
What is funny though, is I forgot or simply didn't realise how much the temperature drops the higher one goes.
Sure I got a little cold, but the views were worth it!
Magnificent view. Reminds me of a cable car trip we did to Aguille du Midi in France just 1000m below the summit of mont Blanc in 2011.
ReplyDelete