Panama to Equador

Saturday, December 16, 2023
Guayaquil, Guayas, Ecuador
Dec. 13. Panamá City, Panama. 85, sunny.
We docked overnight in a cruise port that is under construction on an island across the bay from down town Panamá city. It looks like when complete it will be a magnificent cruise port, with all the duty free shops, bars, restaurants, etc. , however it looks to be a year away from completion. Our tour today was “US Heritage in Panamá”. We did a panoramic tour of what was the US Canal Zone military base, learning much about the base and the involvement of the US in Panamá. The area is very expansive. They had everything from hospitals to barracks, private homes, offices, malls, etc. Since the US turned the canal over to Panama, all this property and structures became owned by Panamá. Some buildings have been turned into schools and Universities, some have been sold for private residences. We then went to the visitors center at the Miraflores locks and watched a really good IMAX 3-D movie about the history of the Canal. There happened to be no ships going through the locks so we didn’t hang around to see that and went to an artisan market. Fun, colorful stuff there, but I didn’t buy anything! Following the market, we did a panoramic tour of downtown. Since the Panamanians got the canal, a ton of money has been pouring into Panamá. Banking is the huge business and downtown is just one new, beautiful skyscraper after another, all being either banks or luxury apartment buildings. We got back to the ship around 1pm, and had lunch with a Margarita for me and Mojito for G. We napped a bit, and by 5:00, I realized I was coming down with something. I skipped dinner, but George met O&L for dinner in the French restaurant, Chartreuse. I don’t know what hit me; it was like a flash Covid. I did bring tests and tested negative. I slept 16 hours. 
Dec. 14. At Sea. 85, partly cloudy. 
I feel a whole lot better today, but decided to isolate for the day, because although not Covid, I sure had/have something that could be contagious. There is lots of  “at sea” stuff going on today. George brought me cappuccino, then went to a gathering of veterans for breakfast. I did puzzles and he went to the Equator crossing ceremony. George had lunch on the pool deck with Lissy and Harty. They brought me ice cream! He went to the lecture on Broadway, the British Invasion, e.g. Andrew Loyd Webber. I’ll watch the rerun of that on tv. He joined L&O for drinks and dinner, while I did take out and watch a movie, “Crazy Rich Asians”.
Dec. 15. Manta, Ecuador. 82. Funny it’s so much more pleasant here, on the equator than it was in Panamá.
How am I feeling today? It’s Friday, breakfast; Sangria day and I passed. For not being  Covid-19’s, it’s damn close! Our tour today was Montecristi and Highlights of Manta. We left 9:15 and drove 45 mins. to the village of Montecristi, Equador, repeat, Equador, where the first and only original Panamá hats were created. The story goes that the President of Equador presented Teddy Roosevelt with one of these hand woven hats, while on a visit to inspect the construction of the Panamá Canal. Roosevelt wore the hat while in Panamá and the media of the time called it a Panamá hat. The name stuck. These hats today are still hand woven in Montecristi, and can take anywhere from a few days to a few years to create, costing from $10’s to $1,000s.  In the town square we  saw a demonstration of the weaving, then had an hour to visit the hat and handicraft stalls. From there, we were to go to a family operated place where fabric is made from Agave, but after going 10 mins. up  a rickety road, there were too many other busses there for us to go in, so we went back down the rickety road and went to a nearby factory were jewelry, carvings and even button are made from a very, very hard palm nut. Then, back up the rickety road to the fabric factory for a demonstration of the very primitive way they are making skeins, and weaving the fabric. Out tour ended at a small Dioramic Museum . We got back to the ship late for lunch and so many other tours were arriving then, we had trouble finding a table. After lunch we napped, then the usual, met for a cocktail and dinner at our now regular table that they save and have set up exactly for us, e. g. glasses, champagne for Lissy, Red for me and Harty and white for George. I crashed immediately after the entree. The rest lingered over dessert and after dinner drinks, but skipped the show.
Dec. 16. Guayaquil, Equador. 84, mostly overcast.
Saturday is Bloody Mary Breakfast. We didn’t order them, but the waiter brought some over while we were up getting the buffet. We sent them back. That’s how I’m feeling today! Our tour today was Highlights of Guayaquil. It was a popular tour with at least 6 buses going there. We drove 45 min. to downtown and got off the bus at “Iguana Park”. We had free time there then gathered for what our tour guide described as a 2 block walk that would take 5-10 minutes. George opted to stay on the bus, but Lissy and I continued on what was a 1 mile walk taking 45 minutes. We stopped at a few monuments, where our way too talkative guide explained the significance. We ended up at a promenade by the water, and walked a ways down the promenade where we were again given 10 min. free time to wander the stalls. Of note about Guayaquil, how clean the city is. From the slums we passed through on the way to downtown to this quite beautiful promenade, the is no graffiti or even litter. It was almost Disneyland clean!  The bus met us at the promenade and drove us a bit further to the next stop, also on the promenade. After a comfort break, there was to be another 15 min. (actually 45 min.) stroll continuing on the promenade. I stayed on the bus with George for that leg. The bus rejoined the strollers at the end of the promenade in a district of very high end hotels and apartments. We then drove by a huge cemetery and flower market. Roses are a big, big export of this region of Equador. In the local flower market they cost $1.50 for 2 dozen. We got back to the ship by 1:30. Today we lost 200 (?) passengers as this is the send-off place for passengers going on the optional side over-4-night trips to either the Galapagos or Machu Pichu. It was obvious, as the service was really, really good at lunch!  We lolligagged for afternoon, then the usual cocktails, dinner in CR at our table and a roadie night cap for us. Lissy and Harty were going to go to the show.
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Comments

Rita
2023-12-17

Sounds and looks wonderful! I love all your details. I am glad you are feeling better… so glad George did not get sick!!

R & J
2023-12-17

Hope you’re feeling better today. Vodka kills germs ya know haha keep “medicating”.

Georgene
2023-12-17

Goodness! You must have been really ill if you sent the Bloody Mary back. The pictures are great. Glad you are getting better. Did the Iguana park have iguanas?

karenwirtzy
2023-12-17

Love the hats! Glad you a4e feeling better. On our way to Ohio. Heavy rain and wind in SC today.

Marcie
2023-12-17

SO glad you are feeling better Dori. Very frustrating for you I’m sure. Love your hats! I must say we did a second read on the statement that you sent the bloody Mary’s back! We both remembered that sweet church. Such fun to see these things through your camera. Great pics. Very impressed that you have a reserved table. Harty would understand where I’m coming from about that.😂

Dep
2023-12-17

Great traveling with you. Stay healthy and strong!

2025-02-13

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