GeoTagged, [S0.94104, E80.73229]
Here's the view from the Hotel Oro Verde in Manta, Ecuador. It's the first 'liberty' (free time) for everyone who has been on the ship for the first two months + 3 rotations. Hard to believe how little time off is granted for considering they're working full time shifts 7 days/week.
Even onshore we have a strict set of rules:
-Must be in your bed (on the ship or in your hotel room) no later than 11, 12, or 1 depending on your rank (I'm considered an O-3).
-No more than 1 drink/hour
-Must be in uniform, ready to muster by 8am
-No food from non-approved restaurants (same goes for approved ATMs, there are only 2)
-Everyone must have a 'liberty' buddy that you are attached to at all times. There can be no more than 5 people in a group of buddies and one person per group of partnership must remain sober
...of course there are many more but would rather focus on all the fun we're having instead. Mike, Amy, Jeff, and I went to an amazing dinner last night at a tapas restaurant. The food was amazing and we made it through 3 bottles of wine and lots of dessert before heading off into the Manta night for dancing.
The scene is quite hilarious, considering the very small radius that is approved for hanging out and 1000 people who haven't had any free time = bars overflowed with Comfort folks and pure shenanigans.
More pictures soon - they're all on the cell phone!
