Thursday, 7 March 2013

MANTA EQUADOR


Wednesday 6th March 2013.

After leaving Callao in Peru, we had a day and a half sailing in mirror like seas before reaching the sea port and harbour of Manta, gateway to Quito, capital of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. It was a hazy and very humid day of about 29 degrees.

Manta, which is almost on the equator, is the largest sea port in Equador, with a population of about 160,000. The port’s harbour is picturesque, but,  it’s main claim to fame is tuna fishing, and other than this it has nothing going for it.

Virtually the only excursion available was a port tour and a shuttle visit to a souvanir shopping market and panama hat manufacturing, which was set up in a school courtyard soley for the ship’s passengers to spend their American dollars.

Not impressed, this was definitely not a tourist destination and appeared to be just a fill in port for the cruise, and a place which does not warrant a visit.

Another sea day tomorrow, then our next port of call is Puntarenas in Costa Rica.

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