Monday up bright and early for the Virgin flight to Miami. M25 a breeze, terminal 3 was a doddle. No waiting at check in, no problems at security, just a 3 hour wait for the flight. Why do they ask you to check in 3 hours before the gate closes? Note to self, leave to the last minute.

Flight arrived at Miami, we had a 1 hour wait to get through security, they were also quite a friendly bunch as well. Now to get to the AA flight to Quito. Had to check in again, despite bags making their way between the planes without our aid, then the long queue to get through security. 3 hours was ample time. If we had only 2 hours to make the flight we would have been panicking.

Met a few other Naturetrek punters at the AA flight to Quito, they had not been so lucky, they had flown on an earlier flight to us by AA. Different set of immigration officials in a different immigration hall. Two hours to get through, and some very unfriendly immigration officials.

Note to self, never fly AA, and never pass through Miami.

Arrived at Quito 11 ish local time, and into hotel at midnight. That would be 5am UK time. Quite a long day all in all.

Today had a tour of Quito, cloudy and warm, though rain in the evening. Saw a few churches, and a statue of the Virgin overlooking Quito. Now it’s time for supper.