SHORE EXCURSIONS

Explore the delightful sites, culture and people of Manta during this visit to picturesque Montecristi. Depart the pier for an introductory tour of Manta. Begin with a 10-minute visit to the Cancebi Museum, which highlights the local culture and ethnic origins of the area. Next, you'll drive along the scenic seaside promenade and through the suburbs to Montecristi's central square where you will find many artisan stalls selling straw baskets, jewelry, colorful handicrafts and Panama hats. This beautiful little town is one of the highlights of the tour, it still retains the atmosphere and faded elegance of its Spanish heritage. Here we will have a demonstration of how the toquilla hats are made and then have some free time for shopping.

We proceed to a Cabuya plant weaving factory. This is truly a once in a lifetime experience as this traditional art is, unfortunately, quickly dying out. In the past, a vibrant industry existed where approximately 4,000 Cabuya plant bags were produced per day in the Manta area. Today there remains only this last remaining factory, producing 200 bags per week. After a short demonstration of the process, we are presented with our small natural bag – a unique reminder of beautiful Ecuador, and a perfect eco-friendly bag for carrying our items of our choice. Before returning to the ship, you'll visit a Tagua workshop. Tagua phytephas equatorialis is the nut of a 15-18 foot tall palm tree found in the tropical rain forests on the coast and Amazon lowlands of Ecuador. Tagua nuts were originally used as buttons because they have a color and consistency very similar to ivory, and could be dyed. Although button manufacturing is still the main source of income for the workshop, this unusual natural material is now fashioned by skilled craftsmen into a variety of small, reasonably-priced sculptures that provide a distinctive and unusual souvenir of your day.

Immerse yourself in the Ecuadorian culture at an afternoon tea and traditional dance performance at the lovely Montecristi Golf Club. Depart from the pier for a brief drive through downtown Manta to Montecristi Golf Club or similar venue. While the canapés and sweets will vary depending on which ingredients are freshest, take your time savoring the flavors, which are representative of Ecuadorian cuisine. Following the tea, an Ecuadorian dance troupe will perform a variety of modern and traditional dances that reflect the multicultural character of the country. You'll notice the influence of African rhythms and Andean beats as the performers gracefully dance across the stage in brightly colored costumes. It's a captivating experience, so much so that you may be encouraged to try these ethnic Ecuadorian dances yourself. Feel free to step out on the stage after the show, as the dancers will be happy to teach you some of the steps. Afterwards, you'll drive back to the pier.

Enjoy a fun-filled bus ride during this transfer via Chivas Bus to the sites and shops of picturesque Montecristi. The brightly-painted Chivas Bus was the most important means of transportation used by the local populace. They crisscrossed the country,offering reasonably-priced transportation between the towns along the coast and interior sections of Ecuador. Most will know a Chivas because of the small ceramic models sold in craft stores that are typically depicted overflowing with produce, suitcases and the odd basket of chickens tied to the top.

Today, a local band will ride atop one of the buses as you set off in a convoy for the short, 30-minute ride to fascinating Montecristi, home of the famous Panama hat. This beautiful little town is indeed the highlight of the tour, and still retains the atmosphere and faded elegance of its Spanish heritage. At Montecristi's central square, visit a Toquilla Hat workshop to learn about the hat making process, then we will visit many artisan stalls selling straw baskets, jewelry, colorful handicrafts and Panama hats.

Coastal Ecuador is largely covered in dry forest, which makes the lush green Pacoche Forest all the more unique and ecologically complex. Forests such as Pacoche once covered vast areas of the coastal region and were home to an enormous wealth and diversity of species. Now they have been reduced to a dispersed chain of forest remnants under constant threat and facing an uncertain future.

We depart the quayside and travel via the coastal route to the Pacoche trailhead. Along the way, we take note of the predominant dry forest and the stark contrast between the dry and wet forest areas delineated by what looks like an invisible boundary, the change is so radical.

The Pacoche Lodge, located next to the Pacoche Wildlife Refuge, offers a private glimpse into this fascinating ecosystem. During our guided hike through the forest around the lodge, we’ll keep our eyes out for howler monkeys and dozens of bird species.

We will also see a “trapiche”, the machine used to extract juice from sugar cane, enjoy a quick demonstration of Panama Hat weaving techniques and see how the Ivory nut is used to produce a number of different eco-friendly end products – from traditional handcrafts, jewellery to shirt buttons.

After this visit we return to the ship.

Relax on magnificent San Clemente Beach, a pristine stretch of sand where you are free to do whatever you please, from beach combing to simply lying in the sun.

Although San Clemente Beach is close to the equator, the temperatures here usually remain in the 70's and 80's because of the cooling Humboldt Current, which runs up the west coast of South America from Antarctica. During your time at this pristine beach, you might sunbathe, read, swim or do nothing more energetic than sip a cool drink.

While there isn't much natural shade on the beach itself, you will have access to the Palmazul Hotel, whose property is dotted with palm trees. On the beach, shaded lounge chairs are provided by the hotel, or if you prefer you may relax on the sand or next to the pool. Three complimentary soft-drinks will also be provided. After your time at San Clemente Beach, you'll transfer back to the pier.