GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR

Just wrote this up and I was kicked off before it posted. The internet is very good now and quite fast. But after 45 minutes you get a warning and you have 5% left and in about 2 minutes you disconnect. I do understand that policy it is stopping people just leaving on their computer and increasing the speed for us all but I must learn to instantly save when I see that notice. Just a warning for those who follow. SAVE the instant that notice comes up on your screen.

When we arrived in Guayaquil it was an overcast day and rain was threatening. It was very calm with no wind. This turned out to be a blessing as the temperature was perfect and the rain never came.

We did the highlights of Quayaquil. Ken and I had been here before on the way to the Galapagos. What we remembered the most was the waterfront.

Driving in there is obvious a fairly low standard of living but once you hit the downtown area there is a distinct difference. They are in the process of burying all the wiring and the downtown is very clean with some stunning buildings.

We did spend about an hour walking the waterfront but I wish we had more time to stroll independently. The waterfront is extremely well done and a really delightful area to investigate. The guide kept us together and stopped at many of the monuments with the history of the town. At this point in my travels I think I am guided out and my mind wanders very quickly unless the guide is full of personality and has a way of presenting facts with comedy and vigor.

Several things the guide mentioned I did find very interesting. Everyone must vote. When you vote you get a voting certificate and without that certificate you cannot get a passport or a drivers license. Enforced democracy. Since Ecuador adopted the US $ as its currency the government cannot print money and that has forced a balanced budget!

Another stop was an Iguana park with lots of Iguanas. This was a completely independent time of 45 minutes. We really enjoyed that stop. Ken probably got some good shots. It was necessary to be careful as many of the Iguanas were in the trees and being underneath a tree was a dangerous situation unless you wanted a "blessing" from the iguanas. I came to realize many of the puddles were not from previous rain! There was also a very nice church across the road that we visited and the we wandered the surrounding streets.

I love to check pricing of goods when in a foreign country and we found the pricing was about the same as the US just slightly lower. The minimum wage here is $400 a month and we were told a high percentage of the population makes this amount so it is pretty tough. There is no public subsidy for the poor from the government everyone must work. It surprised me how non-aggressive the vendors were, they asked but did not push or hassle the tourists. Kind of made me want to buy from them. When in the bus everyone waves and smiles, a pleasant change.

We had dinner at Prime 7. I really love that restaurant. Tonight a small person (smaller than me) announced she was very hungry. She ate me under the table. The menu, crab cake and portabella mushroom appetizers, dover sole, king crab, four side dishes and a dessert. I was impressed and she ate EVERYTHING. We had such a good time, fabulous food, great waiter, and great company.

Today is a day at sea, sun is shining and the water is very calm. I am sitting here in my jammies, with speedy internet, had some nice fresh plums and peaches in the room and Ken just bought me a cup of tea. Life is good.

One of the officers said "this is the best day of his life" we asked why. He said I woke up and I was alive I had a job, I am richer than yesterday morning because I worked yesterday, and I have a woman who loves me even more as I have more money! I thought that was really classic. The way we should start each day.