Thursday Sept 19th

12 hours of plane travel to Quito, Ecuador by way of Costa Rica. The actual flights were tame and short, it was the security points and layovers that take so long. after landing in Quito we took our first Ecuadorian taxi to the Quito Hotel for a drink and a little relaxing before our next flight 5 hours later. Since it started raining buckets, traffic camed to a complete stop and we opted to get out in the middle of town when we spied a Marriot hotel. Apparently the Marriot is the most expensive hotel in all of Ecuador, which we found out after looking at american prices on the cocktail list. after 25 bucks and unusually strong drinks, we braved it back to the airport. but this time we lied and told the front counter we were guests checking out and we needed the bus to take us back. after some sloppy writing and some scribbles to what our room number might have been, we were off again.

the manta national airport is a little like a bus terminal. you can buy flights on the spot and only need 10 min advanced check in. its my new favorite way to fly. this was just a half hour flight to Manta, but we still got an empanada a cookie and a beverage. love it.

we checked into the Howard Johnson and found out we weren´t staying in the hotel itself but some apartments they purchased in back. still good views and next to an overpriced minimart with a terrific amout of security.

the place is huge. 2 families could stay in that apartment and be ok. the place is spartan. i mean, nothing extra including a much needed back on the sofa. but heck, its got cable tv and a kitchen.

we had dinner at the hotel overlooking the ocean. wow. and prices to match! food is good and we´re exhausted so thats it for one night.