Blog 778 Day 26 In the Port of Manzanillo, Mexico.

Cunard Shore Experience, “Colonial Colima with Lunch”.

The view from my stateroom balcony was quite refreshing after three very enjoyable days at sea.

This view from my cabin, taken just before departure for California.

I was expecting something far less pretty, and in fact, I am told by people who explored the town that it was “disappointing.” Going on a bus ride 56 miles through the distant mountains felt like a profitable way (not literally) to spend the day. And I do like long bus rides.

As we set off out of the coach park by the quayside, the tour guide mumbled an introduction of himself and the driver, in rather poor and hard to comprehend English, and in Spanish (which I couldn’t understand at all). In both languages, his commentary continued for the entire 90 minutes of what otherwise would have been an enjoyable outward journey, through the less familiar part of mainland Mexico. The excursion didn’t seem to do quite what it said in the brochure. We drove directly to Colima, that state’s, or area’s capital of that of the same name, and be shown around the Palcio Gibierno de Colima with its impressive courtyard and typical wall paintings.

We would then continue to a site of fairly recent excavations of the remains of an ancient civilisation at Campana, which, if I understood the tour guide correctly, dated back to 2500BC, or as they now like to say, 2500BCE (apparently, Before the Common Era….)

The archaeological site at Campana, Mexico where remains of an ancient civilisation have been unearthed.

Although given an explanation of what we were looking at, I chose to walk around myself after a while.

We would continue to the quaint village of Comala where we all enjoyed a serenaded typical Mexican lunch at a local eatery typical of the area, on at least two levels. Musicians were on hand to play for $4 a tune.

I do like these town signs. I was first aware of them in South America, but must have come across them before.

My wish for an undisturbed journey back to the ship was almost granted. Our guide did have a few things he wanted to point out in both English, right at the beginning of the return trip. I was tired and hot, but enjoyed the 90 minute journey back to Manzanillo where fine views of the Queen Elizabeth were to be had.

Thankfully, this camera is capable of decent photographs, but I’m still disappointed that my Lumix camera seems to have failed completely. M.V. Queen Elizabeth looked imposing at the quayside and I was rather sad when eventually, we set sail.

Me, of course! By the end of that day, I had completed 975,836 steps on Cunard Ships, shore excursions, and Cunard Ports of Call, in support of Christian Aid Week.

I’m not sure how popular our call at Manzanillo was. I was, however, very pleased to, for around a day, be taken to an area which seems authentic and not adapted for the foreign tourist. I enjoyed seeing all to briefly, the narrow streets, particularly at Comala.

Back on board, it wasn’t long before we were on our way, as the attractive mountainscape faded on to (or into) the horizon.