![]() In our 6-7 hours we experienced the local fish market (tuna capital of the world), ship building industry, a hike in the Pacoche National Reserve and a delicious seaside lunch of local cuisine. Mauro, our guide with impeccable English, promptly met us as we disembarked the ship. Going on the "Taste of Ecuador" tour give us a good overall view of the history, economy and culture of the area. We recently returned from a cruise to South America with a port stop in Manta, Ecuador. So, Gabriel's tour was a fantastic experience all round. My husband lives his too and he loved wearing it at the end of our trip. But, I love my hat so much!! It is incredible when compared to others I've seen in the world. There was no pressure to buy the hats either we were actually the ones who suggested it. They were excited yo show us their craft and are clearly very passionate people. We were wanting hats to buy and they custom made two for us right there as we watched from the colors, styles and bands that we wanted and carefully packed then for us to travel. They demonstrated the hat finishing process where they trim, press into shape, finish the brim and banding. We met Don Simon a famous hat craftsman and Adrienne. Our experience with the hats was great too. The world's second smallest frog □,tiger tarantulas, birds, rare plants, colorful, unusual mushrooms and fungi (some poisonous apparently). Recommend bringing binoculars if you have them. We saw 3 in the binoculars but heard many more in the area, some quite close.but you can't control if they are around and active of course. ![]() His English is excellent and it was extremely helpful when we hiked in the Pacoche Wildlife Refuge as the Refuge's wilderness guide spoke in Spanish about the species of animals and their habits etc.we saw and heard the amazing Howling Monkeys! We were very lucky that they were raucous so a very authentic experience but you can't control if they are nearby or to see them of course. Gabriel and Narwell Tours is highly recommended.įantastic experience! Gabriel's knowledge of the area and sights was very detailed which I loved. All 4 of us had a blast and it was one of the highlights of our cruise. The trip back was a mirror of our trip there, then back to the pier in time for a tender back to our ship. We hiked to beautiful cliffs overlooking the sea then back to our boat for an optional snorkel where colorful reef fish, enticed with a bread meal, encircled the snorkelers. They are so dumb they can only survive where there are no predators. These birds nest on the ground unprotected, with nests even right on our hiking path. We saw poisonous snakes, lizards and an abundance of Blue Footed Boobies and their chicks, a first for all of us. After a pit stop and briefing we were off on a rather strenuous 2 hour guided hike. On arrival we were greeted by 2 large sea turtles circling our boat. Isla de la Plata is known as the poor man’s Galapagos. It was an experience we will never forget as the boat rode the 1-2 meter swells like a bronco buster. The 1 hour speed boat ride to and from the island was like Mr.Toad’s wild ride at Disneyland. The car ride there was comfortable with excellent driver and English speaking guide. We left from the pier on a 1 1/2 hour drive to Puerto Cayo, where as promised the speed boat and 5 other passengers awaited me, my wife and our 2 friends. I has excellent communications with Gabriel who always rapidly responded to all my questions. Gabriel arranged for the boat to wait for us. The ship cancelled their tour because they could not get to and from the speed boat in time. Gabriel of Narwell had arranged our tour for 1/2 the ship’s tour price. In November of 2019 we arrived in Manta, Equador on the Seabourn Odyssey.
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