A Day In Ecuador

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Our next port of call is Manta in Ecuador. We berthed here at 0900 on Saturday 16th Feb, 1400 where you are again, unless you are reading this in Australia. The temperature on arrival was just 22c but we prayed hard and by lunch time it had crept up to 26c.

Ok a short bit about Manta. It is Ecuador's second largest port after Guayaquil and is situated on the Bah's (Bay) de Manta in the centre of the country's Pacific coastline. It Is just south of the Equator and in the province of Manab. The population here is 180,000 and is the fourth largest city in Ecuador. The capital, Quito, is 150 miles west of Manta and is most easily reached by plane.

Whilst here we visited Monticristi, which is approximately 18 miles southeast of Manta. Monticristi was founded by the Spaniards in 1628. For centuries the finest Panama hats, as worn by our very own Sir Winston Churchill, film stars and royalty, have been woven in and around the town. The design of these hats has barely been changed for the past 400 years and the finest can take months to complete and cost thousands of dollars. Our trip was in the morning so we were able to take it easy in the afternoon as the excitement was to much for us, as can be seen from the picture.

Well tomorrow is another day at sea so no doubt another day of eating and drinking, helps pass the time away. On Monday we sail through the Panama Canal, which I am to understand takes some 12 hours, looking forward to this. Also, whilst at sea on Sunday, we have to cross the Equator so another ceremony requesting permission to cross has to be made.

Will send next update and more exciting pictures once we reach the other side of the Equator and Panama.

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Comments

[JT]

Chill
I tell you what Fred , if you two get any more laid back you will be horizontal. I guess the next star on the ship will be Elvis, and I know he is dead