Day 8 – Manta, Ecuador – Tour of Pacoche Forest  

This was a most interesting and fun day for me, especially the tour of a private preserve in a “Cloud Forest”.  Our guide was Tomas, a delightful young man from Quito.  In order to be a guide in Ecuador you have to complete a 5 year degree program and this was certainly evident.  His knowledge was extensive from geology to birds to politics.  He was most informative.  The sights on this tour were:

           

• Visiting a small fishing village and walking on the beach.                              
• Observing the carving of birds, turtles, etc. from a large nut.
• Coffee trees
• Bird of Paradise Flower
• Hummingbirds (over 130 species in Educator)
• A sugar caning operation
• A culinary exhibition (delicious chicken and fish meals with vegetables roasted in a banana leaf.
• Quietly watching three Hollar monkeys cavorting among the branches just above our heads
• A moderate hike in this lush forest.

Day 9 – At Sea – going south toward Calleo

Still settling in, spent most of the day walking the deck, sitting by the pool or in the hot tub, reading, etc.  Tonight was the Black and Silver Ball, we looked fantastic.