 Docked in Manta, Ecuador |
 Manta, Ecuador, is known as the 'Tuna Capital of the World' |
 Ships docked in Manta, Peru |
 Beachfront Restaurants in Manta, Ecuador |
 Manta Fish Market |
 Boatbuilding on the Beach at Manta, Ecuador |
 Tarqui Beach in Manta, Ecuador, is famous for Boatbuilding |
 Boats on Tarqui Beach in Manta, Ecuador, needing refubishment |
 The Boat on the Right is For Sale on Tarqui Beach in Manta, Ecuador |
 Motel in Manta, Ecuador |
 Arriving at Montecristi (Ecuador) Ivory Nut Factory |
 Tagua Nuts are also known as Vegetable Ivory |
 Montecristi (Ecuador) Ivory Nut Factory |
 Tagua Nuts are harvested from certain Palm Trees and dried for 3 months |
 This is called mococha and contains about 30 seeds (Ivory Nuts) |
 These Ivory Nuts have been sliced thin and will be used to make buttons |
 Carving an Ivory Nut Figurine |
 This Owl Figurine was done in about 3 minutes |
 Ivory Nut Souvenirs for Sale |
 Ivory Nut Figurines |
 Ivory Nut Figurines |
 Roadside Cafe near the Ivory Nut Factory, Montecristi, Ecuador |
 Statue in Montecristi, Ecuador |
 Montecristi, Ecuador, is famous for its Straw Hats woven mostly by Women |
 Montecristi, Ecuador |
 Montecristi, Ecuador |
 Montecristi, Ecuador |
 Catholic Church of Montecristi, Ecuador |
 Toqilla Palms provide the straw for making "Panama Hats" in Monticresti, Ecuador |
 Toquilla Palm fronds are stripped and boiled before the hat-making process begins |
 Each Panama Hat is woven by a single Artisan |
 A Master Weaver could take up to 8 months to complete a Panama Hat which could sell for up to $10,000 |
 Teddy Roosevelt is credited with making the 'Panama Hat' famous during his 1906 visit to the Panama Canal |
 Montecristi is one of the best markets in Ecuador for Panama Hats |
 Panama Hats are made in different styles and colors, as well as the white one made famous by Roosevelt |
 Eloy Alfaro (grandfather of Panama Hats) was also President of Ecuador 1895 to 1901 |
 Montecristi Market, Ecuador |
 Susan on the street of Montecristi, Ecuador, with her new hat |
 Ecuadorian food cart at the Montecristi Market |
 Very good Grilled Cheese and Bologna Sandwich from Montecristi Food Cart |
 Bill drinking Club Beer (brewed in Guayaquil, Ecuador) in his new Montecristi Panama Hat |
 Popeye Restaurant in Montecristi, Ecuador |
 Montecristi, Ecuador |
 Funeraria (Mortuary) in Montecristi, Ecuador |
 Montecristi Hill, Ecuador |
 Wondered why these Guys were putting flyers in the Water? |
 Figured out they are using Absorbent Pads to clean an Oil Slick |
 Collecting Absorbent Pads with Oil in them |
 Awaiting arrival of the President of Ecuador at the Dock across from Our Balcony |
 Dredging Bucket poised above site of Ecuadorian President's planned visit |
 President of Ecuador's Motorcade |
 Ecuador's President, Lenin Moreno, is the only Head of State who needs a Wheelchair |
 Lenin Mereno was elected President of Ecuador in 2017 |
 Too much digital zoom to get clear close-up of President Moreno waving at Us |
 Unloading Tuna Boat with a Crane |
 Tuna is flash frozen at Sea before returning to Port |
 Tuna placed on a Truck for processing in Manta, Ecuador |
 Not all Tuna are processed in Manta, Ecuador |
 Tuna put into long-haul shipping containers for transport beyond Manta, Ecuador |
 Watching the Sun set near the Equator on the Pacific Ocean |
 Enjoying the Sunset and Margaritas on the Island Princess |
 Sun is setting fast |
 Sunset only lasted 4 minutes just south of the Equator |
 Off the coast of Costa Rica |
 Docked in Puntarenas, Costa Rica |
 Frigatebird in flight |
 The Beach at Puntarenas, Costa Rica |
 Costa Rica |
 Flowers in Costa Rica |
 Caldera Beach is a black-sand beach in Costa Rica |
 Churchill Maicol is Costa Rican Shaved Ice |
 Vendor on Caldera Beach, Costa Rica |
 Driving through the Countryside of Costa Rica |
 Honeydew Melon Field in Costa Rica (used to feed cattle) |
 Roadside Fruit Stand in Costa Rica Countryside |
 Big Roadside Fruit Stand in Costa Rica Countryside |
 The Highlands of Alajuela Province, Costa Rica |
 Rio (river) Conception in Costa Rica is almost dry |
 Cortez Amarillo Tree in the Highlands of Costa Rica |
 Rancho San Miguel, Costa Rica |
 Purebred Spanish Horse at Rancho San Miguel, Costa Rica |
 Susan with Spanish Horse at Rancho San Miguel, Costa Rica |
 Rancho San Miguel has an Equestrian Facility that holds 250 Spectators |
 One of the Horse Trainers at Rancho San Miguel, Costa Rica |
 14-year old Trainer working 3 Horses at Rancho San Miguel |
 Intermission with Two Costa Rican Beers and Tapas |
 Costa Rican Village behind Rancho San Miguel |
 Preparing for the next Horse demonstration at Rancho San Miguel |
 Horse Fiesta at Rancho San Miguel, Costa Rica |
 Rancho San Miguel, Costa Rica |
 Young Trainer at Rancho San Miguel, Costa Rica |
 Part of Horse Show at Rancho San Miguel, Costa Rica |
 Horse Fiesta at Rancho San Miguel, Costa Rica |
 Horse Fiesta at Rancho San Miguel, Costa Rica |
 Horse Fiesta at Rancho San Miguel, Costa Rica |
 Horse Fiesta at Rancho San Miguel, Costa Rica |
 Horse drawing Circles and Figure Eights at Rancho San Miguel, Costa Rica |
 Horse drawing Circles and Figure Eights at Rancho San Miguel, Costa Rica |
 Rancho San Miguel, Costa Rica |
 Owner and Trainers at Rancho San Miguel |
 One of Fifty Purebred Spanish Horses at Rancho San Miguel, Costa Rica |
 Leaving Rancho San Miguel, Costa Rica |
 Crossing the Barranca River in Costa Rica |
 Brahman Cattle in Costa Rica |
 Electricity in Costa Rica |
 Mangrove Lagoon in Mata de Limon, Costa Rica |
 Costa Rica |
 Chacarita, Costa Rica |
 Chacarita, Costa Rica |
 Chacarita Cemetery, Costa Rica |
 Puerto Azul Resort and Yacht Club, Puntarenas, Costa Rica |
 Downtown Puntarenas, Costa Rica |
 Leaving Puntarenas, Costa Rica |