DAY 15-GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR

Historical/Background Info:
        With over 3 million people Guayaquil is both the largest and most populous city in Ecuador and also serves as the country’s main port.  It is located on the west bank of the Guayas River which flows into the Pacific Ocean.  We had to sail 40 miles up the river to get here.  The climate is much different here than it was just one day’s sailing north, Manta.  We are here during the Jan-Apr rainy season when they average 10 inches of rain per month.  It is also their hot and humid here during those 4 months.  Lucky us!  We did not see this city in 2012 as we returned from our Quito trip and went from airport direct back to the ship.  Guayaquil is the gateway for excursions to the Galapagos Islands.  Guayaquil was founded in 1538.
What We Did Last Night:

We enjoyed dinner last night with the entertainers, Jade & Sam.  We talked so long that dining room was about empty.  They have been the entertainers on several of our cruises, last one being in May of last year.  They have one more show before leaving the ship in Lima.

What We Did Today:

 As we sailed up the river there were mangrove forests on both sides of the Guayas River.

 We are docked today in the commercial container ship port.  There are thousands of containers here.

This was our 4 hour tour for today that departed the ship at 8:00 am.  We had the same guide, Fernando, that we had yesterday up in Manta.  Regent is using the same tour company today and it is based here in Guayaquil.  So the guides and buses drove up to Manta yesterday morning early and back last night.  (190 mile trip on way)

                                                     Leaving the port area

 This house is protected by sharp spikes on top of the fence and broken glass in cement above the entryway.

Our first stop and most interesting, was at what they now call Iguana Park.  There were hundreds of iguanas living in the trees here.  Fernando warned us not to stand under the trees as the iguanas had probably had breakfast and they would ruin you day if the crapped on you.  We saw several examples of them doing just that and man can they crap for such a small animal.  

                                             Here's one up in the tree foliage.

                    Fernando said they love bananas so he got one and fed it to some of them.

                                  In the park there is a monument to Simon Bolivar

                                                 I thought this was was the cutest???

 Of course no Regent excursion would be complete without a cathedral.  This is the Guayaquil Cathedral.  Construction began in 1822 and was completed in 1848.  99% of Ecuadorians are catholic.

                                             Stain glass windows were beautiful

The main avenue in Guayaquil is this, 9th of October.  Their independence from the Spanish was declared October 9th, 1820.

Rebecca is on left side.  This area is called the water front area as it is on the banks of the Guayas River.

 Another monument, this time it commemorates the meeting between Simon Bolivar and Jose San Martin here in Guayaquil in 1822 to discuss the future of Peru and the rest of South America.  They could not agree on anything however.  Sounds like our Congress!!

 I took this photo to show the security man in the orange vest.  There were several security men at every stop we made.  I also thought Guayaquil was a clean city by South America standards.

                                           The colorful houses on Santa Ana hill.

 Can hardly make it out but on top of the hill is a lighthouse and chapel built over the foundations of an old 17th century fort.

Every one of the buses we saw was packed full.  This one is at bus stop.  There is a dedicated traffic lane for the buses.  If a car enters this bus lane there are cameras that catch them and the fine is one month's wages, $350.  It costs 25 cents to ride the bus.

 The hospital.  They have socialized medicine  Our guide said you would probably die before getting medical attention however.

 We drove by this MASSIVE cemetery.  People are buried above ground as the area floods sometimes during the rainy season.

                 Centennial Park with monument commemorating their independence.

 This is the flower market.  I would have loved to get off and get some flowers for our suite but only the driver got off and bought a rose for all the ladies on our tour.  He said they cost him $5 for a dozen.  Later after the tour and after our lunch I was on the pier talking with one of the local tour representatives.  She said the roses come from Quito.  There they cost $1 per dozen.  Remember yesterday I mentioned that 70% of the roses imported by the US come from Ecuador.

                                       Had to take this photo of a policeman with shotgun.

                    There are two bags of limes for sale along the road.  One bag costs $1.

 When our tour arrived back at the pier shortly after noon, these young people were putting on a show.

 The 3 guys are reporters and they interviewed me about what I thought of Guayaquil and Ecuador. The local tour representative interpreted for me.  They also interviewed Rebecca.

 Yes, there was three tents set up for shoppers.  Of course that was Rebecca.  She had money today!

                                    This is what she bought for total of $42.  She's happy now!

It is miserable now out on pier.  93F and 50% humidity.  No wind to help cool you down either.  Rebecca has gone up to do her hour walk on the treadmill.  I am taking a day off as my hip is bothering me a little plus I wanted to complete this posting.  I will also make a call to talk with my parents this afternoon.  We get free phone time now.

We will be sailing again at 6:00 pm and will be at sea all day tomorrow.  At 7:00 this evening we have reservations for dinner in Prime 7, the steakhouse.  At 9:30 in the showroom the Jean Ann Ryan cast will present another production show called, "Film Flashback".  Planing to be on the front row again for it.

*****Don't forget.  Clicking on photos will enlarge them for better viewing.  Also use the "blog archive" on right side to see the other postings.