29-03-25
Before we left Lima Mark and Amanda enjoyed a night out at an old home in central Lima. This home had been in the Aliaga family for 17 generations. It was built in 1535, the same year that Lima was founded. As they entered the massive wooden doors the grandeur unfolded before them. In the centre of the house was an open area with a really old tree with a water fountain. Walls were tiled with similar tiles to the ones seen in the Basilica earlier. Quite the treat to be able to dine silver service in such a dramatic setting.
27-03-25
Salavery/Trujilio
We had a do it ourselves day today and wandered around the market in Trujilio, through the cathedral and a museum and along streets lined with shops and restaurants. We were all keen to get back to the ship for a swim. (P:-this area would have to rate as one of the dirtiest cities we have travelled to over the years with the most Rubbish and Filth along the streets – compared to the other Peruvian cities we have visited, which were surprisingly clean, this one was disgusting).
We have had several sea days as we head north through the Pacific Ocean doldrums. Barely a ripple on the water and the days are heating up and the humidity rising. Sea days are catch up days. Sleep ins for the girls, massages, swims and relaxing and of course more eating.
29-03-25
Manta Ecuador
(P:-“Responsible Pa” being part of the “Dobson Tour team” I seem to find myself being young person “supervisor” for selected activities that require a RESPONSIBLE adult. I try to time this while in port or departing port when there is plenty of interest (for me) to see. Referral to photos below on the views and activities while being “responsible”. Miss Em and Miss Kaley, our two wonderfully well mannered and behaved grandchildren ( must inherit their manners from me) seem to laugh at Pa’s watch and comment I am looking out the window or I have closed eye lids. Pa loves all the industrial ports we visit, no fancy cruise ports with tacky souvenirs on this journey. There are ships of all types, wharf equipment, 24/7 action!)
(P:- time to disembark at another port, what better than opening our eyes to a new day and adventure. Today it’s Manta, Ecuador an industrial city of some 300,000 people. Manta claims to be the “World Tuna Fishing and processing capital, catching and processing some 1/2 a million tonnes of Tuna a year. We dock at an industrial berth surrounded by Tuna fishing vessels of all types and sizes. Some equipped with Helicopters to aid tuna shoal spotting. Trucks, cranes, everywhere unloading the prized catch, some of these fish are huge.
Mark and I have decided to head approx 80klm inland today to visit a coffee plantation. Generally like to pick rural and country side adventures. Good to see how the non city people live. ( also less chance of being tricked into visiting every cathedral within walking distance!)
Today’s drive was a distinct change to the last week of coastal deserts and their parched environments. We are in the “wet” tropics not far from the equator, it’s rainy season ( but no rain for us today) everything is lush with many shades of green. In the area we are travelling through there is no corporate agriculture, small communities and all but subsistence agriculture, small plots of corn (a staple of their diet) and other vegetables along with tiny sugar cane plantations ( used to make the local “home brew” unflavoured rocket fuel called Aquardiente. Good thing Alcohol is a disinfectant given the “moonshine” plants we saw in operation! After a few windy gravel back roads we arrive at “Hacienda La Prosperina” a coffee plantation established in 1901. The plantation is located at 700m altitude and in very hilly terrain. We wait at the gate as they finish fogging the area for mosquitoes and give us insecticides to spray ourselves with- (in an organic plantation go figure that)!
The plantation was in reality one of the best examples of permaculture I have witnessed. The coffee bushes growing under the canopy of the taller rain forest trees, many tropical fruit trees growing under the canopy and above the coffee bushes are allowed to fruit and drop their produce to decompose to both fertilise and add unique flavours to the coffee beans ( which are hand picked when they turn red to retain natural sugars. After a stroll through a small section of the plantation we were shown the roasting process and then tasted the roasted beans and then was treated to a coffee tasting ( superb coffee taste it was too!). We were then “treated” to a local every day staple food of the area. Corn Tortillas stuffed with cheese and another with Pork. Mental note not to try these dry things again but all the same good to try. A pleasant drive back to the ship ( stocked up with Ecuadors coffee beans) and a pleasant rest of the day watching Tuna ships come and go).
The girls were off on a tour to Machalilla today. Visiting one of Ecuadors premier beach resorts, a local village and then another resort for lunch. A two hour drive through lush countryside, past many small beaches and coves to reach Playa Los Frailes. This is suppose to be a beautiful beach and we were all looking forward to a swim but after seeing some of the rivers and creeks that run into the ocean around here and the rubbish etc we were wary about swimming so decided just to paddle and walk along the beach, chase crabs and find cowrie shells. Then back to the bus and on to the native village museum and a walk around some ruins. It’s very hot and humid and we are all melting by the time we get back on the bus. Our last stop is Mandalaya Resort where we have a lovely lunch of chicken empanadas, calamari, prawn skewers and Spanish salad. The pool was very welcoming but we just didn’t have enough time to enjoy it. We did sit on the edge and dangle our feet for a while before boarding the bus to head back to the ship.
A quick shower for us all before changing for dinner and heading to the dining room. Mark and Widodo (our waiters) are waiting for us. And again treat us to a a fun time while we dine. Each of us girls received a rose made from paper from Mark and then he showed Em and Kaley a trick with some toothpicks. He has been really great each night we have dined in the main dining room, with origami, toothpick tricks and special treats.
Straight after dinner Pa took the girls for a swim, while Mark Amanda and I watched as we departed the port. Another fun day.
Tassie Travellers 