- Organize a bus ticket for the onward journey to Bogota
- Tour through the historic center of Quito with a visit to numerous churches
- Climb the Basilica's observation tower
Finally slept a little longer. We inform ourselves about the possibilities to come directly to Bogota. All flights are pretty expensive, so we're going to have to A long bus ride of 30 hours will hardly get around. Since it is almost noon and only a few shops are open this Sunday, we end up with Kentucky Fried Chicken. After another cash withdrawal, we take a taxi to the distant office of Ormeño bus company. Fortunately, it is open today and we are buying Semi Cama tickets to Bogota for 120 USD for the day after tomorrow.
It goes straight to the district also known as Gringolandia La Mariscal. Around the Plaza Foch it is teeming with chic restaurants and bars. In one of the side streets, which are pretty deserted on Sundays, we feel we are being watched by three strange characters. As if we're turning around and going for a drink first.
Continue to Handcrafts Market and from there by taxi to Basílica Del Sagrado Voto Nacional. The magnificent Gothic building differs significantly from all the other numerous churches in the city. After the tour in the simple, ambitious interior, we also pay another entry for the ascent. Whereby the impressive view can justify the price a bit. When climbing the steep steps, we do feel the height of over 2800 m above sea level. We enjoy a moment over the basin, before the Calle Garcia Moreno, lined with numerous wonderful colonial buildings from the 17th century.
The next goal is again Plaza de la Independencia surrounded by the ornate presidential palace and the La Catedral. Lots of locals enjoy the cozy park, make music or stroll here.
Waiting up the slope San Francisco Churchwhose inside is bursting with gold. A real highlight of Quito and this time for free.
We continue walking in wonderfully sunny weather to the richly decorated La Merced Church. From there you go straight through the Centro Historico to Plaza Santo Domingowhere there is another church. A taxi driver offers us a full day flight to Otavalo for 85 USD, which will save us a lot of time. So we arrange to meet him tomorrow morning.
Back at the hostel, Jörg and Tina arrive. The two of them arrived from the Galapagos today and we're going to eat together. At the La Ronda street There are numerous restaurants, although not all of them are open today. Back at the hostel we devote ourselves to the blog and are looking for a place to stay in Bogota.
