Our last day with Jan and we got a taxi to the historical area downtown Lima for a walk around.  Headed back for a relax then we said our goodbyes as she left for the airport.  The following day we had a lazy one, then watched the new Batman film at the cinema in the Miraflores district.

Back on another bus... we got a direct one to Ecuador, not the most comfortable as all the best seats had already sold almost a week ahead.  Didn't help with a mother and crying baby putting the seats in front straight into the sleep recliner.  Then the Ecuador border took over an hour as we were behind a bus full of young Colombian footballers.  So 31hrs after setting off we arrived at the hotel in Guayaquil.  Went straight out for a bite to eat then bed.  The following day we started our pursuit for a 'cheaper' Galapagos dive live-aboard.  Unfortunately because there is worldwide demand for the dive trips and a limited supply of only seven boats with a diving permit (that are super first class) they tend not to heavily reduce them, so we've had to seriously think about our priorities.  So we took a day out to have a good think and explore Guayaquil, which is actually a nice city, after they've spent millions on redeveloping the riverside.  Martin enjoyed taking photos of the Iguanas roaming around the park.  After three nights we decided it was pointless hanging around for the perfect live-aboard so we got a bus to the capital.  10hrs later we arrived in Quito, another 40mins in the taxi and found the hostel with a closed door.  After waking the doorman we got into our room, which wasn't the nicest, had a shower in the grubby bathroom and then to bed.  I felt ill the following day, so Martin played nurse and we ventured out for an evening bowl of soup.  The following day was much the same, a combination of being rundown with altitude sickness, but we had a short walk around the old town as it is their bank holiday weekend.

After feeling in-need of some home comforts we decided to use the rest of my hotel points and moved to the lovely Holiday Inn, where I spent another day in bed but this time with a TV to watch the Olympics!

Feeling much better today, going to venture to the park to the Botanical gardens and Vivarium (sorry Sarah W...more reptiles that you love), but first we'll try to book our once in a lifetime Galapagos trip (that we'll be paying for, for the next 10yrs!)