Manta Ecuador

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Manta Ecuador: In the early morning we approached the Bahia De Manta from the North. At approximately 6:00 a.m. we were safely alongside Manta cruise terminal, starboard side to quay. Manta posses the largest seaport in Ecuador, the port was used by Charles Marie de la Condamine upon his arrival in Ecuador when leading the French mission to measure the location of the equator in 1735. I wonder if he is the famous explorer who discovered the Condamine river before heading to Ecuador? From Manta Condamine started his trip inland towards Quito.







Today we should find out why Ecuador is such an apt name for the smallest Hispanic nation in South America. The sun rules supreme here, and most everywhere it is torrid. Yet Quito the country’s capital just 15 miles south of the equator, has long been celebrated as the city of eternal spring, a cool, sparkling, Indian city in which short sleeved shirts and a light sweater in the evening are appropriate attire all year round. The reason for this disparity can be summed up in two words, The Andes. The Andean Cordillera is the most prominent mountain mass in South America, the longest continuous mountain chain on earth.

Our belief that the only reason we stopped in Ecuador was so that those passengers going to Machu Picchu could get off the ship. This also included the captain and his wife, looks like I will be required to go the bridge to help out yet again.

Was not much to see here except markets so after going to the markets we went to the Shopping Mall, very small should have stayed at the markets. From the mall we went back to the ship unloaded our purchases, and guess where we went then? Correct the markets. We sail at 6:30 p.m. tonight have two days at sea then arrive in Lima.

Four weeks today until we get home.

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Photos

Manta markets
Doing what we do best, shopping

Local constabulary
Very obliging local policeman.

Manta
Tuna is the main industry, there were literally hundreds of Tuna boats in Manta harbour.

Manta harbour
Truck in the background is being loaded with the catch of the day.

Dining companions
Bev in the foreground and husband Carmen Reinke in the background, lovely people and are related to Greg and Judy Reinke, but had never met prior to the cruise, they are originally from N.Z.