Tuesday, March 10 – Our South American expedition is drawing to a close. Manta Ecuador is our last stop before our Mexican ports of call. Manta's population is approximately 200,000, the 2nd most populous city in the province, the fifth most populous in the country and economically the third most import city of Ecuador. According to our shipboard guide, "Manta's main economic activity is tuna fishing and the unloading of tuna was a favorite past time for Ken, Bill and many aboard ship after a "look about" the city. Other economic activities include tourism and a chemical industry with products from cleaning supplies to oils and margarine. Since 1999 Manta has been used as a military location for U.S. air forces in conjunction with Ecuador for supporting anti-narcotics military operations and for carrying out surveillance flights in a strategic warfare program against Colombian drug trafficking cartels called Plan Columbia. It also serves as a geographical look out point for the U.S. for any war craft heading north from the Middle East and Asia. A regular stop for U.S. Navy warships, Manta proves to be of importance for its locations and for the respite it offers the U.S. military with its beauty and untrampled wilderness." Tours were available for those who wished to do a background revelation of the city but Ken and I opted for the cheaper city tour with stops of interest arranged by the city. Our tour stopped at local five star hotel for a quick stop and walk on the beach, an arts and crafts area for souvenirs and crafts made by the locals and a stop at a mall downtown. The ride downtown gave us a view of the city and its lifestyle, which seemed to be reflective of the lifestyle of most South American cities. In short, if you've been to one, you've gained insight into a lifestyle that seems predominately South American. Our friends Bill and Diane Herbert have traveled extensively through Mexico. During our stops, Bill has generally compared the various South American ports with similar stops that they have experienced in their travels throughout Mexico via RV. Although we have not traveled in Mexico as extensively as the Herberts, as our trip has progressed I have found myself agreeing with Bill's assessment. South America had a 500 year head start over development in the U.S. and in many respects, they trail us by 100 years. Freedom is a many splendored thing!!! Too bad that message cannot seem to resonant world wide!!! We are all too willing to let others make our decisions as to what is best for us individually and perhaps, too lazy to act on our convictions. One week from today, March 19, we disembark the ship in Long Beach. We have had good company, good food and it has been fun. But, as Ken always says, as we head for home I tend to be like a "horse heading for the barn" and I find myself anxious to see our family and be back home. .
 Ken and Pat Burns from the road and/or the sea
just as happy as can be 
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