This is our last port in South America . . .
Boo ~ Hoo!
Manta, Ecuador’s sister city is Long Beach, California. It is hot and humid with an average temp of 80 – 85 degrees F.
The small port of Manta is the gateway to Ecuador and its capital, Quito, the second highest capital in the world. Ecuador has one of the world’s most varied terrains: the Galapagos, 600 watery miles to the west, and to the east, the Andes, home to Ecuador’s important cities, including Quito. Founded in 1534 and one of the best-preserved cities in South America, Quito was designated a World Heritage Site in 1978 by UNESCO. Population = 235,000 people.
Manta attracts tourists during the entire year because it is a port with many advantages, located on the bay which has given it the characteristic of being, “The door to Ecuador on the Pacific Ocean.” Its location is strategic for north & south bound vessels at the center of the Ecuadorian coastline.
The fishing (especially ~ Tuna) industry as well as tourism are the most important activities of the city.
Monte Christi is located at the foot of the Monte Christi hill, (20 minutes from Manta) & is the birthplace of the general liberal revolutionaries in the history of Ecuador, Eloy Alfaro, the 16th president of the Republic.
This town the home of the original “Toquilla Straw hats” is known worldwide as the “Panama Hats.” Here you can visit the Lady of Monserrat Basilica & many small souvenirs and handicrafts shops, and the museum of the Largacha sisters.
Dirk, our Naturalist & port specialist told us that there is precious little to do here in Manta so Ruth and I decided to use the ~ Hop on Hop Off Shuttle Bus ~ today.
We ended up in a van with a driver and a guide for just the two of us – The guide who asked if he could practice his English with us ~ lifted Ruth in and out where ever we stopped to shop or look around and Both driver & guide ~ stowed her scooter in the back of the van.
We left the pier, where again “no one” is allowed to walk and drove along the Malecon Escensio to the beach for views & pictures and then continued on towards the Artisan Marketplace where we found many artists at work carving Ivory Nuts into animals of all kinds & others making Panama Hats plus lots of other treasures.
Both Ruth & I bought carved Ivory Nuts. I got a parrot & Ruth got a turtle.
Once we were done looking & shopping we got back in the air conditioned van & drove thru the city past the terminal which has no amenities or services available to passengers and continued along Ave 4 de Novembre to the Paseo Shopping Mall.
Stepping inside it felt like we were right back home. We immediately found a Farmacia and I bought 1 box of Halls cough drops / 12 pkgs each for $3.60 US. They sell the same pkgs on the ship for $1.99 each.
We wandered around inside and took the elevator upstairs saying hello to fellow passengers from the ship as me met & passed each other.
The internet shop on the 2nd floor was full with a long line waiting so I decided to wait to put my pictures in from many of our ports past on another day. The price for internet use in Manta is $1.50/ hour.
We found one more shop of interest called ”Linea Verde” ~ where I bought a T Shirt & Ruth bought a Shift.
Again we loaded into the van and slowly drove back to the ship with our driver pointing out paces of interest and slowing for me us to take pictures along the way.
Tonight we are having our second Crossing the Equator Ceremony Poolside beginning at 1130pm and culminating at 12 midnight with Mexican Buffet and Elite Show band Music.
Boo ~ Hoo!
Manta, Ecuador’s sister city is Long Beach, California. It is hot and humid with an average temp of 80 – 85 degrees F.
The small port of Manta is the gateway to Ecuador and its capital, Quito, the second highest capital in the world. Ecuador has one of the world’s most varied terrains: the Galapagos, 600 watery miles to the west, and to the east, the Andes, home to Ecuador’s important cities, including Quito. Founded in 1534 and one of the best-preserved cities in South America, Quito was designated a World Heritage Site in 1978 by UNESCO. Population = 235,000 people.
Manta attracts tourists during the entire year because it is a port with many advantages, located on the bay which has given it the characteristic of being, “The door to Ecuador on the Pacific Ocean.” Its location is strategic for north & south bound vessels at the center of the Ecuadorian coastline.
The fishing (especially ~ Tuna) industry as well as tourism are the most important activities of the city.
Monte Christi is located at the foot of the Monte Christi hill, (20 minutes from Manta) & is the birthplace of the general liberal revolutionaries in the history of Ecuador, Eloy Alfaro, the 16th president of the Republic.
This town the home of the original “Toquilla Straw hats” is known worldwide as the “Panama Hats.” Here you can visit the Lady of Monserrat Basilica & many small souvenirs and handicrafts shops, and the museum of the Largacha sisters.
Dirk, our Naturalist & port specialist told us that there is precious little to do here in Manta so Ruth and I decided to use the ~ Hop on Hop Off Shuttle Bus ~ today.
We ended up in a van with a driver and a guide for just the two of us – The guide who asked if he could practice his English with us ~ lifted Ruth in and out where ever we stopped to shop or look around and Both driver & guide ~ stowed her scooter in the back of the van.
We left the pier, where again “no one” is allowed to walk and drove along the Malecon Escensio to the beach for views & pictures and then continued on towards the Artisan Marketplace where we found many artists at work carving Ivory Nuts into animals of all kinds & others making Panama Hats plus lots of other treasures.
Both Ruth & I bought carved Ivory Nuts. I got a parrot & Ruth got a turtle.
Once we were done looking & shopping we got back in the air conditioned van & drove thru the city past the terminal which has no amenities or services available to passengers and continued along Ave 4 de Novembre to the Paseo Shopping Mall.
Stepping inside it felt like we were right back home. We immediately found a Farmacia and I bought 1 box of Halls cough drops / 12 pkgs each for $3.60 US. They sell the same pkgs on the ship for $1.99 each.
We wandered around inside and took the elevator upstairs saying hello to fellow passengers from the ship as me met & passed each other.
The internet shop on the 2nd floor was full with a long line waiting so I decided to wait to put my pictures in from many of our ports past on another day. The price for internet use in Manta is $1.50/ hour.
We found one more shop of interest called ”Linea Verde” ~ where I bought a T Shirt & Ruth bought a Shift.
Again we loaded into the van and slowly drove back to the ship with our driver pointing out paces of interest and slowing for me us to take pictures along the way.
Tonight we are having our second Crossing the Equator Ceremony Poolside beginning at 1130pm and culminating at 12 midnight with Mexican Buffet and Elite Show band Music.
Hi Grace,
ReplyDeleteSay hello to Ruth and others and we hope the rest of the cruise is going well.
We are finally rested and glad to be home and looking forward to a quiet weekend with Sunday papers on the couch. Temps are finally getting above freezing.
Dave and Jo