Day 13 - Cusco to Quito via Lima

Today didn’t start well with a 4.50am pick up.  The guide arrived just as we had checked out and collected our packed breakfast and we set off for the airport.  Unlike previous flights, the guide just put us in the queue and didn’t sort out our check in for us.  And in the queue we stood for more than half an hour.  The check in desk finally opened at around 5.40am and after saying goodbye to the guide (who knows why he stayed) we made it through security in just enough time to get ½ hour in the lounge at Cusco.

The packed breakfast looked impressive in hotel draw-string bags, but was not so wonderful when we came to eat it.  We started with the sandwich, no butter, and hung onto the rest for later.  Once on the plane we were on the tarmac for 20mins because of an air traffic control issue.  When we finally got into the air, we didn’t have the best view as we were over the wing.

A meal was promised on the tickets, but only drinks arrived.  The plane made up some time into Lima, but the airport is really confusing.  Our bags were checked to Quito, but we passed all the way out through arrivals and were met by a Lima Tours rep who took us to the other end of the airport to go back airside via international departures.  We checked on whether we could take our drinks with us and she said no, so we left her looking rather surprised with 4 small bottles of water and 2 cartons of juice from our packed breakfast.  We just about had time for another lounge pit stop to pick up more water and suss it out for our trip home (very nice if busy).

Once on the Quito flight, we did get a meal and amazingly, there was a no dairy option for Glynis, except of course for the dessert.  We were on the aisle, so once again no views.

Quito airport is very modern, but we climbed down from the plane and were bussed across the tarmac to the very modern terminal building.  After passport control, we had our apples confiscated but on the up side we were amazed that both bags had made it as well.

Our guide for the next week, Diego, met us at the airport and gave us yet more water and some crisps, so with the remains of our packed breakfast, cake and crackers, bits from our lounge visits and the crisps, we didn’t need to go out to dinner.  Welcome cocktails await in the hotel bar!




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