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Ruth Rosenthal | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Manta, Ecuador Dec. 17, 2024 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Manta, Ecuador Dec. 17, 2024

We had a beautiful day's introduction to Ecuador! We woke up to find us docked across from a huge vehicle carrier. Manta is a huge tuna exporter and the port reflected that fact. I had found 8 other cruisers to take a "Taste of Ecuador" tour by Narwell Tours. After taking the required port shuttle to the port terminal, we went to see boatbuilding on the waterfront. It was eye-opening, as there were huge tuna boats being manufactured on the beach. Then we walked through the nearby local fish market. Next we traveled to the Pacoche Wilderness for a walk on the "Monkey Trail." I was only able to do part of it due to a sinus infection, so the Narwell guide let me go back to the vehicle while others learned about flora & fauna & looked for howler monkeys. Then we went to see a lighthouse on a tall hill, and had a nice fresh fish lunch nearby on the beach at San Lorenzo, went to Montecristi, where "Panama" hats are made and made a short visit to the beautiful mausoleum of Elroy Alfaro, a former president known for his modernization of the country. Manta was a wonderful stop, and we DO recommend a Narwell Tour if visiting here.

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Pictures by Ruth with a few from Howard
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On the sea day before arriving in Ecuador, the ship crossed the equator. There was a fun party on deck.
On the sea day before arriving in Ecuador, the ship crossed the equator. There was a fun party on deck.		 On Manta day we awoke to find a Gingerbread village had cropped up overnight in the ship's reception area.
On Manta day we awoke to find a Gingerbread village had cropped up overnight in the ship's reception area.		 We joined 8 others on a Taste of Ecuador tour by Narwell Tours. First stop was waterside to see shipbuilding.
We joined 8 others on a "Taste of Ecuador" tour by Narwell Tours. First stop was waterside to see shipbuilding. 		It was incredible to see men making huge tuna boats with minimal equipment.
It was incredible to see men making huge tuna boats with minimal equipment. 		3 men working up top
3 men working up top
Then we walked through the nearby local fish market.
Then we walked through the nearby local fish market.		 I loved all the birds at the shipyard and fish market
I loved all the birds at the shipyard and fish market		 We walked into a building under the watchful eye of this heron.
We walked into a building under the watchful eye of this heron.		 Tuna is king in Manta, and some gets sold at the local market
Tuna is king in Manta, and some gets sold at the local market		 On a tin roof, an egret waited patiently for scraps
On a tin roof, an egret waited patiently for scraps
Outside the fish market one man was selling (barely?) alive chickens.
Outside the fish market one man was selling (barely?) alive chickens. 		Fish market men & birds
Fish market men & birds		 On to the Pacoche Wilderness area (Monkey Trail). A tiny frog was seen, and flora & fauna was plentiful.
On to the Pacoche Wilderness area (Monkey Trail). A tiny frog was seen, and flora & fauna was plentiful. 		I only did part of the trail, but Howard took some photos. Monkeys were not seen; only heard.
I only did part of the trail, but Howard took some photos. Monkeys were not seen; only heard. 		Pacoche Monkey Trail spikey tree
Pacoche Monkey Trail spikey tree
On to the coast of San Lorenzo, where a sublime view awaited us.
On to the coast of San Lorenzo, where a sublime view awaited us.		 I had a sinus infection & there was no way I could manage the full walk up. Here's the view from halfway up.
I had a sinus infection & there was no way I could manage the full walk up. Here's the view from halfway up.		 Walking down the path after going halfway to the San Lorenzo lighthouse.
Walking down the path after going halfway to the San Lorenzo lighthouse.		 San Lorenzo, where we had lunch
San Lorenzo, where we had lunch		 Boats on San Lorenzo beach
Boats on San Lorenzo beach
Captain Jesus in San Lorenzo at lunch
Captain Jesus in San Lorenzo at lunch		 Outside Montecristi I glimpsed Manabita Weaver statue from the coach
Outside Montecristi I glimpsed Manabita Weaver statue from the coach		 On to Montecristi, famous for making Panama hats. This is a chivas bus.
On to Montecristi, famous for making "Panama" hats. This is a "chivas" bus.		 Panama hat making
Panama hat making		 Hat weaving in Montecristi - by hand, like the boats
Hat weaving in Montecristi - by hand, like the boats
Visited a beautiful mausolean, then went back to port. We were surrounded by serious tuna boats with helicopters.
Visited a beautiful mausolean, then went back to port. We were surrounded by serious tuna boats with helicopters.		 Some kind of strange boat.
Some kind of strange boat.		 View of Manta from the ship
View of Manta from the ship		 Regal egret on roof, fish market on Manta shore
Regal egret on roof, fish market on Manta shore		 Manta Beach
Manta Beach
Peli on a cable, fish market
Peli on a cable, fish market		 View of Manta breakwater lighthouse from our veranda once the vehicle carrier departed.
View of Manta breakwater lighthouse from our veranda once the vehicle carrier departed.		 4 fishing boats
4 fishing boats
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