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Manta is a fairly small port and resort city. As has been typical in South American ports, our ship docks in the commercial dockyard, surrounded by commercial ships – fishing, container or auto carriers. As a working dockyard, we have to ride a shuttle bus to the cruise terminal building.

Ecuador gained independence from Spain around 1820, but was part of the large new country called Gran Columbia which consisted of Venezuela, Columbia, Panama, Ecuador and parts of Brazil, Peru and Bolivia. Gran Columbia was shorted lived, breaking up in 1931. Ecuador struggled for the next century with various governments, becoming a constitutional democracy in 1963, after an apparent CIA-sponsored coup. One of their most known exports are Panama hats, which are made in Ecuador, not Panama. Interesting, after an economic crisis in 1998, the government replaced the local currency, Sucre, with the US dollar. Today, the US dollar remains the official currency of Ecuador.

We waited until late morning to head out on our own into Manta to avoid the crowds doing tours. The cruise terminal was actually very nice. A dance group was there as part of a greeting party, along with some nice vendor booths. Laura found a very nice Panama hat to wear. I found a t-shirt. The authentic Panama hats made the old way are all done in the nearby town of Montecristi. We were told there maybe a dozen people who still make them. Their hats would cost over $500. Other Panama hat made in Ecuador using newer techniques and tools are usually only around $50.

We headed north towards the beach and boardwalk, a concrete sidewalk along the beach. Cheap stores and restaurants were the norm along the boardwalk. After a short while we turn out into the beach to walk towards the ocean. I wanted a chance to dip my toes in the South Pacific Ocean. It was a pleasant stroll along the gentle waves and warm water until we reached the end of the boardwalk. Carrying our shoes, we headed up the beach towards the boardwalk. Only the last 20 feet was dry sand, and I discovered very hot! The locals in the nearby cabanas were well entertained watching me scramble across the hot sand with bare feet. Laura had sandals and was able to put hers on while at the wet sand.

It was nearly 90 degrees, sunny and hot, so we called it a day and went back to the ship with AC. The ship left port at sunset. After dinner, we watched the Pilot depart the ship, jumping onto the Pilot boat. Was fun to watch.