Sunday 8th Mar 2020
Manta is a port city on Ecuador's central coast. It's known for its tuna-fishing industry. The popular Murciélago Beach is on the city's northwestern tip. Bars and restaurants are clustered along the Malecón Escénico promenade and nearby streets. The low-key Tarqui Beach has a waterside fish market. Nearby, the Central Bank Museum contains pre-Columbian relics from indigenous tribes.
Yet another fairly early start, not yet quite arrived at our berth for today just close to several tuna fishing boats. Very fancy boats, sleek and very well equipped, though no sign of any concessions to sustainable fishing methods.
Looking out over the dock it was very noticeable that all the staff, coach divers and tour guides were masked and gloved, a sign of the times in these days of coronavirus covid-19.
Joined our tour group for a very slow exit down the gangway, delays caused by the local authorities checking everyones temperature before they landed, eventually everyone made it to the coach. Leaving the pier we were taken along the seafront to see the beaches, the fish market, the boat yards and the fish processing factories.
All along the shore there were examples of the local building construction, bamboo poles and palm frond thatch and of local boats being built, these to a traditional timber design and construction though now covered with fibreglass finish.
Everywhere looking quite pleasant if not prosperous. There didn’t actually seem to be much to look at, no real centre nor notable features in the city.
Along the way among the usual history lessons our guide showed us a miniature of the chair used in ancient times, the chair featured a typical face of the people hereabouts including a very prominent nose, he was proud to show us his own prominent nose which is still typical of the local population.
During the day it was clear who was local and who was not. He also told us all about the different quality of Panama hats available and how to tell them apart by checking the fineness of the weave, points per inch, using his own range of hats as examples.
A quick stop to view some typical Ecuadorian trees with a Plantain plantation behind.
Continuing out of town we headed to Montecristi. A short detour to double circle a roundabout which contained a huge statue of the traditional weaving of Panama Hats.
The first stop in the town square to watch a demonstration of weaving of what we know as Panama hats, our guide insisting they should actually be Montecristi hats or Ecuador hats, just like the statue, nothing much changes, also available here are plenty of hats for sale.
Back on the coach, after squeezing around the narrow streets of the town we climbed the hill to enjoy the viewpoint and more shopping opportunities.
Here is the statue and mausoleum of former president Eloy Alfaro, he brought the railway to Ecuador and there is an example engine on the site.
Then it’s just the return journey and a return to the ship through the cruise terminal souvenir shops.
A quiet afternoon back on board Victoria enjoying the sun and watching the fish, the turtles and a ray in the harbour just alongside the pier.
We left later than planned, off soon after 7.30pm due to 4 crew members being late back to the ship, our next port Fuerte Amador, Panama a distance of 586 nautical miles.
No comments:
Post a Comment