Quito
 
Today we decide to check the brakes, knowing that we are in the capital city and that it is easier to find a specialist there.
 
We choose "Rapi Freinos" garage that can accommodate the motorhome.
 
After checking, it is necessary to change the front and rear brake pads, plus grinding the discs. Having planned this change we had brought back from France pads for the front and the rear brake kit.
 
We spend most of the day there
Mital del Mundo
 
Before leaving this small village we go to the "El Quetzal" chocolate factory.
 
With our guide we learn all the stages of manufacture,  ending with a tasting of various chocolates to all perfumes ... A nice stop
 
On the way to Mital, we stop at the "Pululahua Volcano" lookout.
 
This extinct volcano is today a vast fertile plain in its crater of 12 km in diameter.
 
Arriving at our stage in the evening, we take the opportunity to have the oil change in the motorhome
Mindo
 
Always awake at dawn, we return to the historic center to visit the "Museo de la Ciudad" which was closed yesterday exceptionally.
 
We are very much desapointed by this museum, very poor in artefacts which traces the history of the city of Quito, without much interest.
 
Then we visit the Museo Nacional Del Ecuador.
 
According to tourist guides, it houses one of the country’s most important heritage collections. It presents cultural goods, ranging from archaeology to painting and sculpture, covering several stages such as the baroque and republican period.
 
Here again we are surprised by the poverty of the exhibits and the closing of some rooms. This is not our day for museums.
 
Back at the "Parque de la Carolina" we leave to "Mindo" north of Quito.
 
The spots to spend the night do not correspond to what we are looking for. Also Christophe goes in search of a suitable place ... We will be sheltered by a family in a dead end and quiet way. Broken discussion on many subjects.
 
The next day we leave for the route of the waterfalls.
 
What is called the Waterfalls Road should actually be called the Waterfalls Trail. To get there we have to cross the valley, a deep ravine, by taking the "Tarabita". Adrenaline at the rendez-vous.
 
Take a cable car, then hang some sort of wagon, get into that wagon, and drive.... Everything is masterfully directed by a guy installed on a stool and who drives a van engine!!!
 
At the finish we go up to the "Cascada de la Reina", a two-hour round trip. It’s not the biggest one that  we’ve seen.
 
Then you descend to the other waterfalls on a steep and poorly maintained path. We do not go all the way down, the waterfalls we encounter are mini-waterfalls ... No interest.
 
Return to motorhome to work on site
Quito
 
As usual in this park, we are woken up at 5:30 by joggers or other early sportmen.
 
We leave early to visit the museums or other monuments that we did not see the first time.
 
* Convento y Eglisia San Domingo
Construction of the church and convent began in 1581 and continued until 1650. A fabulous neo-gothic altar and a Mudéjar ceiling dominate the interior of the church. The convent contains a nice cloister and some paintings of the Italian school.
 
* Casa del Alabado
In this colonial residence is exhibited an impressive collection of pre-Columbian objects, grouped by themes. They deal with Indian beliefs about life and death, depicted on very fine ceramics and jewellery. We loved it.
 
* Basilica del Voto National
This massive neo-gothic church is the work of French architect Émile Tarlier, who was inspired by the cathedral of Bourges. Turtles and iguanas replace the traditional gargoyles on the side of the building.
 
Then, back to the camper for a quiet evening.
Quito
 
In the morning we take our flight to Quito where our camper is waiting for us.
 
On arrival at the storage, our companion still does not want to start. With the help of the receptionist we call for a mechanic.
 
The engine starts immediately .... We have to let the engine run at least 30 minutes ... We prefer to wait 1 hour.
 
In the meantime we unpack our bags, store our stuff  and get ready to the "Parque de la Carolina".
 
We program the GPS and study the route to avoid congestion.
 
We arrive at our destination without worry and spend the rest of the afternoon making a full load of food and working on the site.
ROAD BOOK 132
MAVROS ODYSSEE