After a day at sea, where we saw more dolphins in one day than we’ve seen in the last eight weeks, we arrived in Manta, Ecuador. It’s very hot and humid but mostly overcast.

Manta was inhabited at least 5000 years ago and is now very multicultural. There are mainly fishing villages here and it is the centre of the country’s tuna fishing fleet. There is also the cultural museum of Banco Central (where the elevators didn’t work and had no air conditioning). Much too hot!

Next was Montecristi, home of the Panama hat, (yes, we did buy one!). Then on to the Civic Centre and Memorial, Ciudad Alfaro. Lastly we visited the Tagua Factory. The tagua nut is rather like ivory which can be carved into jewellery and figurines.

Not the most exciting if tours but better than staying on the ship.

We have one sea day tomorrow before transiting the Panama Canal.