A Chocoholic’s Dream

Back on board we cover miles and miles of dead straight track proving once and for all the Incas were influenced by Roman road building techniques.

Once again I am reminded of the age old adage: If God had meant us to fly, he would never have given us the railways!

We pass by endless pineapple, cocoa and sugar cane plantations and finally are allowed out to visit a cocoa and cattle farm. We are shown all the steps in the manufacture of Cadbury’s finest, though the addition of those most important whole hazelnuts is omitted.

It turns out chocolate does grow on trees

Then we are treated to a very fine lunch

and an unconvincing demonstration of cow milking, Ecuadorian style.

Later we are back on board and then meet up with another steam engine, all red and shiny. Peter gets to stand on the footplate and is now in a state of delirious ecstasy.

Unfortunately we are joined by Ecuadorian musicians

who regale us with endless ditties forcing a number of passengers to throw themselves off the train and realising myself that one of the big advantages of hearing aids is that when one removes the batteries they become very effective ear plugs.

We roll into Guayaquil and say goodbye to those off to parts unknown while the hardcore observation deck attendees go out to dinner at a BBQ joint where we eat large hunks of meat.