Chasing Summer –

Dec 21-22

The thought of Ecuador frightens some tourists right now. I know a few of my fellow passengers were afraid to leave the ship in Manta, and even my room steward questioned whether or not we could get off.

According to the locals I questioned, it is fine during the day, but nighttime is not as safe for foreigners. I don’t know anyone who had any difficulties while we were there.

We arrived and were cleared by 11 a.m. on our first day. The terminal provides a free shuttle bus from our ship to the cruise terminal as they do not want anyone walking the docks.

At the cruise terminal, some vendors were selling local goods and a small cafe. Wifi was provided free of charge, and an official taxi stand was available if people wanted to arrange a taxi tour. The Odyssey also arranged for a local tour company to have representatives on board to book some last-minute tours.

Luckily, a beach is right beside the terminal, and across the road is a mall, so passengers have some quick and easy options. Steve, Angela, and I opted to visit the mall first and then head to the beach area after lunch.

The second day was a full-day tour exploring the fish market in Manta, Monticristi, and a rainforest walk.

Starting at the cruise terminal at 8:30, we boarded two busses and made our way across town to the fish market.

The market is busy with vendors selling various fish, birds and cats hanging around looking for food and locals there to buy their Sunday dinner.

The market was divided into sections the smaller fish together, with larger fish like tuna on the outside. It was a feast for the eyes as sellers tried to get us to buy even though we have no kitchens.

A tuna cannery is across the street, and down the road is the boat building and repair area. Commercial fishing takes place over certain seasons, and the boats go into repairs during their downtime.

From the market, we headed a 30-minute drive to Monticristi, the home of the “Panama Hat.”

Ironically, Panama hats are actually made in Ecuador, and the main location that produces them by hand is Monticrisit. Calling them Monticristi hats is more accurate.

Our bus stopped by a workshop owned by Ramon, who demonstrated the process of creating a hat, and it is not easy. The workers will weave a hat for several weeks or months, depending on how fine the threads are. They weave hunched over the hat, and I would imagine their backs are aching.

Several people bought some hats. Personally, while I think they are lovely, I find most don’t suit me, and since I like to have my hair up while sweating the hats, it just don’t seem like something I would wear. So I didn’t purchase one.

After the hats, we continued up the hill a few more minutes until we reached a viewing area where the newest constitution was created in 2008.

Heading back to Manta, our bus needed to drop off anyone who was only doing the 1/2 day tour, we stopped at a mall to get some lunch.

The Quesobirra I grabbed was delicious. Timing was a problem, though, with very slow service, and even trying to pay took longer than it should have.

Another 30-minute drive out of Manta brought us to Refugio de Vida Silvestre Marino Costero Pacoche.

With a local guide, we split into groups of ten and walked the Monkey Passage Trail. Now howler monkeys are common here, but not guaranteed to show.

We were lucky as a whole troop made their way overhead and were just as interested in us as we were in them. Of course, one monkey had enough and threw some poop at people.

We also learned about some vegetation, a tarantula hole, and a bird nesting on her eggs on the forest floor just off the trail.

By the time we returned to the port, I was tired, and my phone was almost out of power. I was glad to be home.