This morning we caught the Teleferico (cable car) to the top of one of the mountains that overlook Quito. The cable lifts visitors 1000m to a height of 4000m from where there are great views of Quito, and the surrounding mountains.

The weather was perfect for the trip, not a cloud in the sky and we had views of Cotapaxi, Chimboraso, and other snow covered peaks whose names I don't remember.

From this vantage point we came to understand why we have found Quito a difficult city to navigate. The city lies in a valley that runs north-south. But within the valley are other sizable hills and canyons. The city has grown up around these other obstructions and is like a series of relatively flat islands connected by twisting and steep road sections. A road builders nightmare!!