Manta, Ecuador

Today, Jan 20, we arrived in Manta, Ecuador. This is the beginning of all new places for us. The cloud cover kept the weather mild, as Ecuador is so close to the equator. Our tour was a ride to Montecristi aboard a Chivas, or local bus with a band on top, playing fun music. Passersby honked and waved. Montechristi is also the birthplace of the Panama Hat. That seemed to be everyone's quest. It was a half hour ride to town and we had about 45 minutes to shop the square. Handicrafts are colorful and inexpensive. The people are extremely friendly and if you say no, gracias, they move on. Most of the homes along the route to town were fairly basic. Quito, the capitol is a half hours plane ride away.

Cartagena, Colombia.....again

Our return to Cartagena was a more in depth visit. We went with our travel group, Virtuoso, on a six hour tour of the city and dinner. We visited the La Popa monastery which is at the top of a hill overlooking the entire city. Then it was down the hill to the San Felipe de Barajas Fort, one of the largest fortresses built to protect the city from pirates. A walking tour of the old city was next and it was very picturesque and quaint. Most of the old buildings have been restored. A quick visit to the emerald museum to view one of the largest uncut emeralds in the world and then it was time for dinner at the Club de Pesca restaurant. It was located within a fort on the bay and the breezes and yachts enhanced our evening.

Oranjestad, Aruba

Oranjestad is the capital of Aruba, located on the southern coast. It is desert like and almost always windy. We had a great tour to De Palm Island for snorkeling, swimming and lunch. It was a bus ride to a boat and a short hop over to the island. It also had a water park, which was fun to watch.You could get a fake tatoo, shop in the boutique, and even take a banana boat ride. We lounged in the shade, saw lots of fish and enjoyed a buffet lunch of chicken and rice and fried bananas. After 4 hours of fun in the sun, it was time to get back to the ship.

Willemstad, Curacao

After boarding our ship on Jan 11, and two days at sea settling into our cabin, we made it to Curacao. Due to high wind and current, we arrived two hours late. We were not on a tour, so time was not an issue. The ship docked a short distance from town, but at 2:30, the weather was quite hot and humid. I decided to stay on board, so Mike took a walk to town.

The itinerary for the remainder of the first segment is:
Jan 15-Aruba,Jan 16/17, Cartagena, Jan 18, Panama Canal, Jan 19-cruise the Gulf of Panama, Jan 20 Manta, Ecuador, Jan 21-Guayaquil, Ecuador, Jan 22-Cruise the coast of Peru, Jan 23-Salaverry, Peru and Jan 24/25, Lima, Peru. End of first segment.

Everglades Boat Ride

We took an airboat ride in the Everglades today. There were 10 of us and we got a private boat with "Captain Paul" driving the boat. He looked like he was right out of cental casting. It was an hour's ride and we saw lots of birds and about 4 alligators. The alligators are used to the boats as they just lay there and looked at us. After the ride, we went through the reptile and animal exhibits. Lizards, tortoises, pigs, peacocks and snakes.

Fort Laudrdale, Florida

All things must come to an end. Our Panama Canal cruise of 18 days was great and we are now on our next journey.......4 days in Fort Lauderdale. Our room is large and overlooks the ocean. Hopefully tonight we will be able to see all 6 cruise ships leave. Including the Navigator, there were 7 ships in port. Quite a site. No picture, as the camera was packed, of course. On the 11th we will board the Mariner and start our circumnavigation of South America.

Stay tuned!!

Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena, the capital of the Bolivar Department, is the principal tourist destination on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. After a night of lumpy seas, the Captain managed to dock the ship two hours early. We were one of four ships in port. We were the smallest, then the Grandeur of the Seas, Island Princess and the very large Celebrity Equinox.
Our tour was a two hour ride on a Spanish Galleon. Fortunately there was cloud cover, as the temperature was about 90. We will return to Cartagena on our South American cruise, and will venture inland to see more of the city.