Monday 2 February 2009

Manta

Manta is an Ecuadorian port-town with a long tradition as a fishing-community and is, for this part of the world, relatively safe. Manta's claim to fame is not much except from being at the heart of the panama hat fabrication. Large cruise ships normally stop here when sailing past to let the passangers visit Montecristi, only 15 minutes outside Manta, to buy a fine panama hat.

Manta itself is a fishing community with an endless number of seafood eateries. Nice things to do in town includes visiting the beach early morning after sunrise, when fishing boats land with their latest catch. Housewives, restaurant owners and grocers flock on the beach to bargain for the best pieces.

An other interesting feature is the construction of giant wooden fishing boats by hand on the beach. The residents in Manta seem to have taken over the sea-faring traditions from the pre-columbian Manta-culture (which the city has got its name from), who were famous for being skilful sailors.

A negative thing about visiting Manta is that it is stinky. One would not like to go too near the inlet that divides the city into two parts and the beach into two beaches. Yacks.

Manta pictures from left:
1) Panama hats for sale in Montecristi
2) Early-morning beach fish-market
3) Construction of wooden fishing boats

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2 comments:

  1. Anonymous2 February 2009 at 05:12

    Hi. I am an American who will live in Manta vey soon as it is a wonderful place. I just wanted to educate you a little bit about Manta since you say their claim to fame is not much. It is the 5th largest city in Ecuador. The 2009 JUNIOR SURFING WORLD CUP WILL BE HELD IN MANABI PROVINCE just outside Manta. It is often called the tuna capital of the world. It has the largest seaport in the country. I would say it has a few "claims to fame", huh?

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  2. MrFnasse2 February 2009 at 17:01

    That's a really good education man, seriously, why don't you stay in the US and spread your joy as a teacher, you seem to be very good at it.

    I said already that it was a seaport city but your info is wrong, it is not the largest port in the country, that one is in Guayaquil!

    Tuna capital of the world? May I have a laugh. There are many places that CLAIMS to be the tuna capital of the world, the most important ones being North Lake, Canada; General Santos City, Philippines or Prince Edward Island, Canada. Manta? You must be joking me. Did you maybe mix it up with Machala, southern Ecuador, which claims to be the banana capital of the world? Quite distant but for you, everything seems to be possible.

    But finally I have to resign and take my post back, you are so right. I can't argue against the 2009 junior surfing world cup.

    I think on my next trip I will go to the world-famous Sri Lanka. You know what they did? They hosted the U19 Cricket World Cup in 2006. That is hard to beat. Famous famous...

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