| s/v Nine of Cups Ecuador |
General Info:
The equator crosses Ecuador and gives the
country its name. Ecuador is the Spanish name for
equator.
Land area: 103,000 sq. miles - smallest of the
Andean countries, about the size of Colorado.
The equator crosses Ecuador and gives the
country its name. Ecuador is the Spanish name for
equator.
Land area: 103,000 sq. miles - smallest of the
Andean countries, about the size of Colorado.
The country is divided into 4 geographical
areas: Costa (coast), Sierra (mountains),
Oriente (eastern jungle), and the
Galapagos Islands (600 miles due west).
Capital: Quito, 9000 foot elevation
Population: 11 million - 50% in cities
Highest Peaks: Chimborazo (20,109'),
Mt. Cotapaxi (18,870´) highest snow
covered active volcano in the world.
Political units: 21 provinces
Language: Spanish (Castellano) and
Quechua (People's tongue).
Currency: Used to be the sucre,
however, in 1999 the U.S. dollar became
the official currency.
Exports: Petroleum is the chief export.
Other major exports include bananas,
cocoa, coffee and shrimp. The U.S. is
Ecuador's main trading partner.
areas: Costa (coast), Sierra (mountains),
Oriente (eastern jungle), and the
Galapagos Islands (600 miles due west).
Capital: Quito, 9000 foot elevation
Population: 11 million - 50% in cities
Highest Peaks: Chimborazo (20,109'),
Mt. Cotapaxi (18,870´) highest snow
covered active volcano in the world.
Political units: 21 provinces
Language: Spanish (Castellano) and
Quechua (People's tongue).
Currency: Used to be the sucre,
however, in 1999 the U.S. dollar became
the official currency.
Exports: Petroleum is the chief export.
Other major exports include bananas,
cocoa, coffee and shrimp. The U.S. is
Ecuador's main trading partner.
We're sure you thought the equator
was an imaginary line, as do many
people, but as you can plainly see,
it's actually bright yellow. We're told
it is sometimes nearly invisible, but
we were lucky as it was quite clear
the day we crossed...reflection of the
sun on the water maybe? Makes up
for not seeing the harpy eagles in
Panama. Here, David pays homage
to Neptune as we crossed the
equator.
was an imaginary line, as do many
people, but as you can plainly see,
it's actually bright yellow. We're told
it is sometimes nearly invisible, but
we were lucky as it was quite clear
the day we crossed...reflection of the
sun on the water maybe? Makes up
for not seeing the harpy eagles in
Panama. Here, David pays homage
to Neptune as we crossed the
equator.
Our first port of call in Ecuador was the port of
Manta, a large commercial tuna fishing port (they claim
to be the tuna capital of the world!) with about
250,000 people. The harbor in Manta is crammed full
of fishing boats ranging from the most modern
available complete with helicopters aboard to spot the
fish, to dilapidated pangas barely able to stay afloat.
We enjoyed watching the small work boats nestle
around the "mother ships".
Manta, a large commercial tuna fishing port (they claim
to be the tuna capital of the world!) with about
250,000 people. The harbor in Manta is crammed full
of fishing boats ranging from the most modern
available complete with helicopters aboard to spot the
fish, to dilapidated pangas barely able to stay afloat.
We enjoyed watching the small work boats nestle
around the "mother ships".
Montecristi - Hats, hats, hats!
Everyone thinks the Panama Hat is
made in Panama... makes sense? But
they are actually made (and always
have been made) in Ecuador.
Panama was the major export center
for shipping hats in days past and
people mistakenly thought they were
made in Panama and named them
"Panama Hats", but now you know
better! Here, David and hat maker
Modesto, count puntos in his shop in
the town of Montechristi, the hat
capital of Ecuador. Puntos are the
number of weaves per inch, which is
one of the measures of quality in a hat.
Everyone thinks the Panama Hat is
made in Panama... makes sense? But
they are actually made (and always
have been made) in Ecuador.
Panama was the major export center
for shipping hats in days past and
people mistakenly thought they were
made in Panama and named them
"Panama Hats", but now you know
better! Here, David and hat maker
Modesto, count puntos in his shop in
the town of Montechristi, the hat
capital of Ecuador. Puntos are the
number of weaves per inch, which is
one of the measures of quality in a hat.
Isla de la Plata - Blue footed booby
Also known as the "Poor Man's Galapagos", Isla de
la Plata is part of the Machililla (Maw-chi-lee-ya)
National Park. There are several species of birds
and plants that are only found here and in the
Galapagos, and no where else on earth... including
the Waved Albatross. Since sailboats seldom visit
here, we thought we'd give it a try. The island got its
name when Sir Francis Drake, having captured a
Spanish galleon, stopped here to count his booty.
"Plata" is the Spanish word for silver, but also the
common word for money. Isla de la Plata is small...
about 4 sq. miles, but packed with lots of bird,
animal and plant life including sea lions, red and blue
footed boobies, frigate birds, albatross and in
season, it is the mating area for humpback whales.
Also known as the "Poor Man's Galapagos", Isla de
la Plata is part of the Machililla (Maw-chi-lee-ya)
National Park. There are several species of birds
and plants that are only found here and in the
Galapagos, and no where else on earth... including
the Waved Albatross. Since sailboats seldom visit
here, we thought we'd give it a try. The island got its
name when Sir Francis Drake, having captured a
Spanish galleon, stopped here to count his booty.
"Plata" is the Spanish word for silver, but also the
common word for money. Isla de la Plata is small...
about 4 sq. miles, but packed with lots of bird,
animal and plant life including sea lions, red and blue
footed boobies, frigate birds, albatross and in
season, it is the mating area for humpback whales.
La Libertad - On the hard
The city of La Libertad and the Puerto
Lucia Yacht Club heralds the end of
another passage... Colombia to
Ecuador... a total of 1,280 nautical
miles. Nine of Cups is having some
major work done here (teak decks
removed among other things) and will
be "on the hard" a total of 5 months.
The city of La Libertad and the Puerto
Lucia Yacht Club heralds the end of
another passage... Colombia to
Ecuador... a total of 1,280 nautical
miles. Nine of Cups is having some
major work done here (teak decks
removed among other things) and will
be "on the hard" a total of 5 months.
Guayaquil - Las Penas view
Ecuador's largest city, Guayaquil, (2 million
people) offered lots of sightseeing as we took a
leisurely walking tour through iguana-inhabited
parks, past historic statues and cathedrals and
along the Rio Guayas. From the Malecon
(boardwalk along the river), we could see the
brightly colored houses of the Barrio de las
Penas, a famous old neighborhood, originally
home to writers, poets and artists. As part of a
city reclamation project, it is being restored. The
climb to the top is via 444 steps through the
neighborhood that is now primarily restaurants
and shops, though some private homes remain.
Ecuador's largest city, Guayaquil, (2 million
people) offered lots of sightseeing as we took a
leisurely walking tour through iguana-inhabited
parks, past historic statues and cathedrals and
along the Rio Guayas. From the Malecon
(boardwalk along the river), we could see the
brightly colored houses of the Barrio de las
Penas, a famous old neighborhood, originally
home to writers, poets and artists. As part of a
city reclamation project, it is being restored. The
climb to the top is via 444 steps through the
neighborhood that is now primarily restaurants
and shops, though some private homes remain.
| 2003-2004 |