Day 8 in Manta Equador

It is Friday, October 25 in port at Manta Equador.  Very early arrival. 

It took 2 hours by bus to get to Bahia de Caraquez north of Manta. We passed lots of farming with bananas, rice, shrimp and mangoes. 

The tour brochure called these farms plantations. Hmmmm. 

In the museum were clay artifacts dating back thousands of years. These guys reminded me of maybe the original version of the Seven Dwarfs. No disrespect. Just what popped into my little brain when I saw them. 

We headed on to a home and hostel where we had delicious empanadas then got into little dinghies the go see a bird sanctuary. 

Lots of birds. Pelicans and frigate birds and cormorants. Couldn't get a picture of the violin crabs but was told that these little crabs come up out of there holes and stretch their front claws upward as if playing the violin. Remarkable!  

Pelican feeding frenzy. 

Frigate bird male all puffed out with his red display waiting for a female to notice him. 

Our guide had a wealth of knowledge about Equador politics, history and ecosystem. It was extremely educational day. 

 After 2 hour ride back to the ship, I watched the tuna fishermen in the boat next to us load tons of yellowfin tuna into containers. The nets were filled time after time with flash frozen tuna from the belly of the ship. Fascinating!  Tuna is the biggest economy of this area. 

Another great day on the Grand Adventure of 2013!