Manta, Ecuador
Manta was our next stop, a city we have visited many times. There are some fun tours here that explore the local culture. Ecuador is the home of the Panama hat (not Panama, as you might think), and you can watch the painstaking weaving process required to create these unique hats. They are available for purchase everywhere.
You can also visit factories where tagua nuts — also known as vegetable ivory — are processed and turned into buttons and hundreds of hand-crafted items. Or venture into the countryside to see local coffee producers at work and sample their specialty blends. Other options include visiting Isla Corazón, a marine bird habitat, or exploring the Pacoche forest, a nature reserve where you can spot howler monkeys and exotic orchids. For those who love biodiversity, Machalilla National Park offers coral reefs, beaches, and forests filled with wildlife.
Those who stay in town often go to the beach that is right next to the port or wander along the waterfront to watch the huge fleets of fishing boats coming and going. We did both today and decided to explore a bit further along the waterfront than we normally would—and were rewarded with a new experience. A park built along the jetty extends into the harbor, featuring interesting sculptures, pleasant walking paths, and a new performance stadium still under construction. We met some local college kids interested in talking to us and practicing their English. As the heat and humidity grew toward midday and a rain shower began, we decided to head back to the ship.
Another busy day at sea included an interesting presentation by Captain Rens on our Panama Canal transit. Our journey was recorded and sped up, allowing us to see the entire transit in about 15 minutes. He explained details we wouldn’t normally be aware of, making the experience even more fascinating. This captain is a great communicator!
Salaverry, Peru
If you’re interested in archaeology, Salaverry is a treasure trove. Among the most fascinating sites to visit is Chan Chan, a 20-square-kilometer abandoned city from the pre-Colombian era and the largest adobe city in the world. Another option popular with visitors is the Temples of the Sun and the Moon, two ancient pyramids that are remarkably well preserved, featuring intricate artwork, friezes, and ceremonial structures from the Moche civilization.
Having visited these sites before, we opted for a 40-minute shuttle ride to Trujillo, the third largest city in Peru. The central square showcases well-preserved colonial architecture, with the most famous landmark being the Trujillo Cathedral, distinguished by its bright yellow and white facade. At the center of the square stands a massive Freedom Monument, while ornate mansions, churches, and museums are scattered around the square and along the surrounding side streets.
Food Experiences on Board
Locally inspired menus are a keynote of Grand Voyages. Our latest example is the super-fresh tuna we enjoyed for dinner in Manta, Ecuador—a major exporter of locally caught fish, especially tuna. We also had a wonderful dinner at the "pop-up" Tamarind Restaurant, our favorite specialty dining venue described as Asian Fusion. These smaller ships do not have the variety of restaurants that are popular on Holland America's bigger vessels. To give guests a taste of those experiences, abbreviated versions of those menus pop-up periodically at the Pinnacle Grill. We are also scheduled for the Morimoto pop-up next week.
Probably our favorite food experience is the Asian Corner, where our fabulous chef Mark prepares a dazzling array of sushi every day for lunch. Not only is his sushi delicious and fresh, but it is also beautifully presented. His platters are works of art. And each day there is a variety of Asian inspired hot dishes - Korean, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, even Indian- he does it all!
Steve just left for his exciting Machu Picchu Adventure while Wendy will be doing several local tours in Lima, Peru. Those stories are coming up in a few days!
Fondly,
Wendy and Steve
Continue Reading:
A Bon Voyage! | Costa Rica & Panama | Ecuador and Northern Peru | Wendy's Adventures in Peru | Steve's Adventure in Machu Picchu | Arica and San Antonio, Chile | Robinson Crusoe & Southern Chile | More Chile & Argentina | Antarctica | Falkland Islands | Montevideo & Punta del Este | Brazil | The Amazon | Salvation Islands | Arriving in Africa | Canary Islands & Morocco | Gibraltar and Barcelona | Spain & Portugal | France, Belgium and The Netherlands | Scotland and Norway | More Norway | Iceland | Greenland | Canada & New England | Voyage Summary
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