Civilisation?....Read this before the Recaps.

So today we returned to Quito and have checked into the Hotel Quito. This is one of the oldest, modern hotels in Quito. I emphasise the word "modern".......in otherwords, though this hotel is not part of a chain, we could in truth be walking into any Marriott or Holiday Inn. After two weeks "on the road", it was what we all as a family wanted, even craved, but it was a shock as we walked in. It felt very strange. Once we had got our rooms, we sat as one on a bed, eating our marmite sandwiches which we had made at 5.30 this morning in the jungle, a world away. It was great to hear the children expressing the same sentiment that as if somehow, by coming back to standard western "civilisation", we were cheating! Equally, as I sit watch them playing in what must be a freezing pool, I recognise we probably needed an afternoon like this. The last two weeks have been full on and have made a strong impression, especially the last five nights in the jungle.

I am at last working on a computer, so let me give you a bit more insight than usual, plus (Victoria) some photos! We have taken 600 photos by the way. Recognising that some will be reading these on Blackberries etc, I`ve broken these down into three recaps....

By the way, if you are wondering how we came to be "roughing " it in a modern hotel. Well this reflects our one lowlight. When we returned to Quito from the Black Sheep Inn, we stayed one night in the San Jorge Eco-Lodge. This is a wonderful old hacienda converted into a hotel.....of sorts. It is owned by an Ecuadorian professor, who is made keen on birds. The gardens are a haven for Hummingbirds. This lodge is one of four in total...all birding reserves. This is a great idea, but as a hotel it sadly lacked. The rooms were freezing. Ths staff were very friendly, but there are only three of them. It reminded us of Fawlty Towers. The gardener who welcomed us, also turned out to be the bellboy, barman and only waiter. The kitchen is situated about 40 yards from the dining room. He would reach our table out of breath having run with whatever the next course was. The food was very Ecuadorian from a set menu. So no choice! Possibly all right for adults for one night....but not every night....and to top it all it is the most expensive place we are staying in the whole trip. So we checked out literally! We are here in Quito tonight and tomorrow and again as we return from the Galapagos before flying home the next day.