DAY 8---MANTA, ECUADOR (FIRST DAY)

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Today and for the next two days we will be docked here in Manta, Ecuador.  At 7am it is 75 degrees.  I was supposed to go on 3 hour tour at 7:45 this morning but reread the tour description and decided not to go.  It involved a 45 minute bus ride each way to Montecristi and do 1 1/2 hours of shopping there.  Not my idea of a tour!

Overview of Ecuador

        The Andes mountain range pretty much divides the country into three regions:  coastal plains on the West, mountains in the center, and rainforests in the East.  The rivers in the east flow into the Amazon River which flows past Manaus, Brazil, into the Atlantic Ocean near Macapa, Brazil.  (We have been to both these places a few times).  The Ecuadorian Andes are almost 20,000 feet high. 

        Ecuador is the smallest country in South America and about the size of our state, Colorado.  Early on in history peoples came from basically all around:  Central America on rafts, up the Amazon basin, and from both northern and southern South America.  The best known of the Ecuadorians are the Incas Indians.  Highland Ecuador became part of the Inca Empire in 1463.  The Spanish explorer, Pizarro, arrived in 1563 and marched over the mountains trying to make the Incas into Catholics.  This did not go over very big.  But the Spanish also brought their diseases which the Incas did not have immunity causing many fatalities. 

        Ecuador gained its independence from Spain in 1822 but the early years were marked by instability and the rulers changed many times.  In 1972 a military junta overthrew the government and ruled until 1979, when an election was held and new constitution adopted.  The current President of Ecuador is Guillermo Lasso.  The population of Ecuador is presently 18 million.

        Despite its small size Ecuador has the 8^th largest economy in Latin America.  Oil accounts for 40% of its exports.  In the agricultural sector it is a major exporter of bananas, flowers, and cocoa.  It also produces shrimp, coffee, sugar cane, rice, cotton, and corn.  The country also has a vast resource of timber.  Tourism is on the increase because of its biodiversity.  Many tourists come here to visit the Galapagos Islands which lie 600 miles off its coast.  Our friends, John & Cathi Begg, were among those who left this morning early for the Galapagos.

 Overview of Manta

        Today we are docked in Manta which is the largest port in Ecuador.  It has a population of approximately 200,000 and possesses one of the best economies in the country.  The main industries are fishing and tuna processing.  Processed tuna is exported to Europe and the USA.  You may recognize one of the recipients of their tuna-Bumble Bee.  There are many large ocean going fishing boats in this harbor.  Probably the most famous thing produced in the country comes from the town of Montecristi which is nearby.  It is the official “Panama” hat.  No, the hat does not come from Panama.  This is the favorite souvenir in Manta.  Also 70% of the roses imported by the US comes from Ecuador.  Other good buys are:  hand knit sweaters made from sheep or alpaca wool,  colorful ponchos, and patterned scarves.  Tourism is becoming increasingly important for Manta’s economy.  Various cruise ships call on this port.  Due to the Humboldt Current Manta has an arid climate despite being just 60 miles from the Equator.  The average rainfall in Manta is just 10 inches annually and the average temperature is in the mid 80’s.  Believe it or not, the currency here is the US dollar!

 LAST NIGHT

I started with an order of escargot followed by us both having a Caesar salad.  Then we both enjoyed this pan seared veal liver.  It was perfectly cooked and delicious.

                                          This is my apple tart with vanilla ice cream.

Tonight's featured red wine was this Spanish tempranillo.  It was a medium bodied red that went well with the liver.

                             Manish, the Compass Rose chef, stopped by to say hello.

TODAY

This is our view today from our balcony.  It is the Seabourn Quest.  I believe it is on its way around South America.  It is also a luxury cruise ship with only 458 passenger capacity.  Our ship has a capacity of 700 but there are less than 600 on board now.

                                                 Our tour buses lined up this morning.

This is the open air "chiva" bus I was to ride 45 minutes each way in to Montecristi.  By the way, the Panama hat did not come from Panama.  It originated here at Montecristi, Ecuador.

Our world cruise jackets were delivered last evening.  Very nice but Rebecca ordered a small size and it is too small.  The Executive Concierge is ordering a medium for her.  Doubt we will need a jacket on this itinerary.

        After hitting the treadmills we decided to head off the ship before getting cleaned up as there is a shopping mall a short distance from the cruise terminal.  There are shuttle buses from the ship to the cruise terminal and back.  

On the way to the terminal we passed by numerous huge ocean going fishing boats.  As I mentioned earlier on this post tuna fishing and processing is a huge industry here in Manta.

The cruise terminal was very nice inside.  Several crew members were seated inside using the terminal's internet.  Regent charges crew members for internet.  It's free in terminals.

                                                        The outside of the terminal.

         The Pacifico Mall was just no more than a ten minute walk from the cruise terminal.

It was a huge and very nice three story mall.  Very clean with good variety of shops.  First we stopped at a pharmacy to get a bottle of nasonex nasal spray for Rebecca.  It is $120 a bottle in the US and we paid $20 for it here.  We also got a big bottle of finger nail polish remover.  Rebecca is happy again now!

            I had this chili-honey glazed salmon with fried rice and broccoli for my lunch today. 

        

        They will be televising all the NFL playoff games and Super Bowl again on this year's world cruise.  The Super Bowl will be shown on the big screen in the theater with all kinds of football foods and drinks.  We are most interested in Monday night's Cowboys/Tampa Bay game.

        We have been advised by our Miami attorney friend that this port (Manta) is a huge drug smuggling port and not real safe to be walking around in.  Makes sense as the mall today was full of police and stores had security people.

        Same plan as usual for this evening.  At lunch I ordered jalapeno poppers for our cocktail hour in the Mariner Lounge.  As tomorrow is Sunday and caviar at breakfast, I also asked for lobster Benedict.

        Here is the Compass Rose dinner menu.  The beef bourguignon is a favorite of ours.  Tonight's entertainment in the theater is featuring Katie Clarke, a pianist.  Not my cup of tea so will head back and watch football on our tv.