11th March 2015 – Patate to Quito – 2015-03-14 02:30

Today we leave our overnight stop at the hacienda and drive to Quito, the capital of Ecuador, out through the valley which looks very pretty in the morning mist and light drizzly rain.On the way we stop at Ambato and meet Juan Carlos who is the president of one of the classic car clubs in Quito. Juan Carlos takes us to see the most important car collection in Ecuador which includes Ford & Chevy pickups from 1948, Mustang, BMW’s, Porsches, Mercedes, Volvo’s, Mini Cooper S and even an MGB which has only done 50,000 miles. Dave thanks them very much for having us & it’s been a real treat to see this car collection. We continue our drive north and take the Quililotoa loop road which adds about another 125 kilometers to our days drive but its well worth it.ÿ Our first stop is in a town called Tigua which is renowned for its art work.ÿ The paintings are bold and very colourful and depict life in the Andes.ÿ We wind around the volcanoes and climb to 4,017 meters above sea level through beautiful patchwork countryside.We stop for lunch beside a deep gorge.We find a perfect place for a group photo on top of a pass.We drive through small villages where the people are friendly and welcoming.ÿ I is interesting to see the younger women in shorter skirts and high heels wearing their traditionalÿ hats.It has been arranged for us to be escorted into our hotel in Quito by a member of the Classic Car Club, so they pick us up on he motor way.ÿ Santiago is driving a 1955 blue Chevy which is gorgeous and he leads the way skillfully through the heavy Quito traffic at 6pm. We are joined by other members filming us and one who is driving a red MGB.When we arrive at the Hilton hotel in Quito we create a great deal of interest and draw a large crowd in the hotel drive through area right at the front door.ÿ