Nesta and Ian's Travels

Unloading Tuna at Manta

Tuesday 22^nd and Wednesday 23^rdJanuary – Manta, Ecuador.

The ship bounced on and off the dockside fenders continuously. One of them is right outside our cabin so little sleep was had. They found us a cabin on other side of ship on the second night! It was so bad we evidently broke 14 ropes over our 3 day stay here, more than Discovery in an entire year. Also broke the glass on one of the portholes on deck 2 just below us. An expensive repair bill for VOD.

The new passengers arrived, many of them without their luggage and it rained most of the two days. So with the crashing of ship into dock you can imagine how cheerful they are!!

Thursday 24^th January – Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Pronounced why – a – keel! Took a bus from ship to Malecon (nice bit of city centre) 45 mins away from port. Enjoyed watching the locals strolling along and kids playing. A brass band suddenly appeared and played ‘happy birthday to you’ (badly) for no apparent reason. We managed to Skype the girls from an air conditioned McDonalds – shame on us!!

Las Penas. The Totterdown of Guayaquil?

Tha Brass band!!

Friday 25^th January – Day at Sea.

Have asked future tours desk if she can get us a price for an upgrade to a balcony cabin for trip up the Amazon, so fingers crossed.

Formal night and Captain’s welcome party. I wore my formal (bow tie) T shirt as thistle was my tribute to Burns night. It raised a few laughs. We managed to attend both the sessions so lots of free wine was enjoyed. We said goodbye to Captain Neil as he will have finished by the time we get back on at Valparaiso. We will have a new Captain to impress then!

Saturday 26^th January – Salaverry, Peru.

Another commercial port in the middle of nowhere. Very arid part of the country. Visited Palace 8 at Adobe city of Chan Chan. Then paddled in the Pacific at Huanchaco beach.

Have seen on Facebook that kids all made it to Amsterdam airport so hopefully are well on their way to joining us in Lima tomorrow.