Ecuador has the Galapagos, and Peru is known primarily for Machu Picchu. I visited both of these wonderful places many years ago -- their fame is fully justified. The second time around, I was a passenger on a cruise ship headed south out of the Caribbean and bound for Chile, Antarctica and Argentina. This return visit to Ecuador and Peru would feature the colorful and fascinating coastal areas of Manta, Trujillo, along with a second visit to Lima, the Peruvian capital.

My impressions of the Western coasts of Ecuador and Peru were ... (more)