Monday 21 March and Tuesday 22 March 2016

MONDAY - Combining two days at sea - another one tomorrow.  Took it easy yesterday, a nice long sleep in & not much happening.  I did go to the port lecture for Costa Rica on Thursday, it should be a nice place to visit but I fear it will be very hot. Am hoping I won't run out of books to read - the library on this ship is not as good as the one at the Hallmark!!!  The ship itself is looking a bit tired - I guess we have been spoilt by Regent  and Silver Seas.  

One of the dining rooms became a shop for a few hours  - looked like the bargain basement at Dimmeys!!!  Princess trying to get rid of all the poor quality stuff they've tried to sell  for years!!!  But all a bit of fun and we found a couple of treasures!!!  

Each night at around 5.30 we go to a particular lounge where canapes and cocktails are served to Elite passengers, (past cruisers), drinks at a slightly reduced cost.  It's not about the food and drink so much as meeting up with new friends and then gliding into the dining room for dinner!!!! We enjoyed dinner last night with Joy and Ken from Richmond, Virginia.  Joy & I have had a couple of early morning walks around the deck and will do so again tomorrow.  

TUESDAY - wow, was it hot walking today!  Everyone was anxious to see the Machu Picchu passengers meet the ship - we arrived at the Ecquadorian port of Manta at 1 pm but no one was permitted to leave the ship. The first 6 or 7 passengers arrived at about 2pm and I think they were those who had travelled independently.  We were obviously going to be here until at least 6.30 so after lunch I went to see the film 'The Danish Girl'. What else to do on a free day in Ecquador??  One bus arrived mid afternoon and two more at around 5pm.  There was great excitement - officers, crew, waiters, all lined up with cold towels, drinks, etc and a great cheer from all of us standing on our balconies or decks.  They were like heroes returning from the war!!!  It will be very interesting hearing their stories.  Apparently quite a few have burns from the aircraft slide but are otherwise in good shape.  

Tonight we ate in the Horizon Court Buffet - was advertised as a Bierfest night.  Actually the food was quite delicious particularly the roast pork with crackling.  We went to the show at 8.15 - a full house to see 'Master Gaucho', Rythm of Argentina.  A husband and wife act who've been playing in Las Vegas for years & now on the Princess circuit.  They did a bit of everything, whip cracking, tango, rope twirling etc. 

Joy and I then went on to Skywalkers to hear Abba music.  The husbands disappeared to bed!!!  Nothing like Silver Whisper, Anne Lamont - no paid gentlemen waiting to snap up a couple of seniors to dance haha!!!

We finally left Ecquador at around 8 pm.  And we crossed the equator at 10.15 pm.  Celebrations for that tomorrow!