Archive for the ‘People’ Category:
Written on April 17th, 2012 by admin_aquano shouts
Thank you Global Black Book for a raving review of Aqua Expeditions. We agree with their opening line “The Amazon – You’ll only do it once, so shouldn’t you do it right…?” which means we strive to offer our guests the most unique experience in this remote natural wonder…
The article written includes some great imagery and video and also mentions how difficult it was to find or recreate the level of luxury that the M/V Aria and M/V Aqua now provide. When dealing with a travel request several years back, he even had to have a boat specially chartered into the area for the travellers.
Luckily this is a thing of the past now with Aqua Expedition’s year-round 3, 4 and 7 day cruises, visit Global Black Book (http://globalblackbook.com/?p=20843) to read more.
Written on February 16th, 2012 by admin_aquano shouts
Look at our elegant new passenger transfers cars! A great addition ensuring the Aqua Expeditions experience is a comfortable one from start to finish… even on land.
Written on February 6th, 2012 by admin_aquano shouts
Aqua Expeditions starts 2012 by teaching its guests a new skill – canoeing in dug-out boats on the Amazon River! Local experts, who use these canoes in day-to-day Amazonian life, show our guests exactly how to stay afloat, manoeuvre and even fish from these shallow boats.
The canoes are carved by hand from indigenous trees and are instrumental for both fishing and transportation. While extremely sturdy, they are trickier to steer than they look, as some of our guests found out in a trial session…. Here are a few shots of how our friends meet the locals, get up close to nature and have fun learning a new skill!
Written on January 17th, 2012 by admin_aquano shouts
In 2010, our very own Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, Executive Chef for Aqua Expeditions, made a series of guest appearances at NOBU Tokyo as part of a Peruvian Fair hosted by culinary giant Nobu Matsuhisa. In late-2011, it was Nobu’s turn to visit Pedro Miguel in Lima to co-host an Umami Charity Dinner in aid of the World Food Programme and organised by the Umami Information Centre and the Ajinomoto Foundation. Nobu Matsuhisa, founder of the eponymous NOBU restaurant empire, is no stranger to Peru’s culinary delights– after training at Lima-based sushi restaurant Matsuei, Nobu spent three more years in the capital which he credits with helping to inspire his culinary style.
Following his time in Lima, we were delighted to welcome Nobu onboard for a three-day Amazon cruise onboard the M/V Aria.
It was a great chance for the group to catch up as well as to re-discover the wonders of Peruvian cuisine using local Amazonian ingredients from the Pacaya Samiria reserve. Nobu and his guests even found time try their hand at Piranha fishing and, guided by our experts, explore some of the rainforest on foot.
It was a pleasure to host Nobu and his group during their time in the Amazon and we hope they will return to visit us again soon.
Full Story »
Filed under cuisine, M/V Aria, People, Wildlife
Tags:cruise, M/V Aria, Matsuhisa, Nobu, Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, Peru, Piranhas, Umami
Written on January 9th, 2012 by admin_aquano shouts
Last year we were pleased to welcome Ben Hull and his team, from Travel Channel’s Cruise Today programme, aboard the M/V Aria to witness the very best that the Amazon has to offer.
During his journey with us Ben really got involved, heading out on excursions to see the famous pink Amazon dolphins swimming through schools of fish, visiting the giant Victoria Amazonica water lilies and exploring the remote village of Magdalena. Along the way he learnt about local medicinal plants and shaman ceremonies, all under the dramatic backdrop of the Amazon rainforest and guided by Aqua Expeditions’ expert guides, Ricardo & Victor. He even helped Victor catch a rare black Caiman on one of the evening excursions.
Luckily Ben also had some time to relax around the boat and to interview our Executive Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino about his culinary inspirations. He also interviewed Captain Richard Inuma Chota about his experiences aboard and what it’s like to captain a river cruiser. Richard has xxx years of experience on the water – a very safe pair of hands!
The ten-minute M/V Aria programme is currently airing as part of Cruise Today and can be viewed here. It includes breathtaking footage of crimson sunsets, lush green vegetation and some of the rare and endangered wildlife Ben was lucky enough to see during his voyage.
A full one hour special of Ben’s adventures entitled ‘Cruising the Amazon’ is due to be aired in February 2012. We look forward to showing you highlights from it here in future.
Written on December 5th, 2011 by admin_aquano shouts
Aqua Expeditions and Geoffrey Weill Associates have won a Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association (HSMAI) Gold Adrian Award. This was for Food & Wine’s cover story on Aqua Expeditions ‘Cooking Secrets of The Amazon’ written by Chef and Food Writer Daniel Patterson. This appeared in the July 2011 issue of the magazine.
Below, a few of the striking images which are sure to make your mouth water…
See the full article below and check out more of the delicious Amazonian recipes by Pedro Miguel Schiaffino.
http://www.aquaexpeditions.com/userfiles/file/AquaExpeditionsFoodAndWineJuly2011LR2.pdf
As a Gold Award winner, Aqua Expeditions and WEILL associates will now have a chance to win a Platinum Award at a Gala event being held by HSMAI in New York City this coming February. Watch this space…
Written on November 16th, 2011 by admin_aquano shouts
As we enter November we can officially say that what started as an exceptional season for wildlife spotting has certainly continued in the same way. Highlights have included a large number of Ringed Kingfishers, Black-collared Hawks, Scarlet and Blue and Yellow Macaws. A Crimson-crested Woodpecker, Lettered Aracari, several Yellow-billed Terns and a Giant River Otter have also made appearances within the past few weeks.
The high number of bird species spotted is in part due to good fortune, but also because we had the pleasure of welcoming two ornithologists on board who really decided to make the most of their cruise.
Their early morning outings and keen eyes were rewarded by identifying a total of 172 species during their seven day cruise! This really is an exceptional number and goes some way towards reflecting the variety and diversity constantly present along the Peruvian Amazon.
We challenge you to grab your wildlife checklist, join us aboard and beat their total.
Written on October 21st, 2011 by admin_aquano shouts
Following Ferrán Adrià’s journey on the M/V Aria last month, we are excited to show you HOLA! Magazine’s feature on the group’s adventures through the Amazon.
HOLA! article page 1
Led by our Executive Chef, Pedro Miguel Schiaffino and the Aqua Expeditions team, the very influential Spanish Chef and owner of the world-renowned ‘El Bulli’ restaurant, got close up to the real Amazon, trekking through the jungle and discovering the local markets to learn more about the local communities and Amazonian produce such as the paiche – one of the river’s largest fresh water fish. They also had some time-out to relax on the boat and whip up some delicious cocktails, like the Camu Camu Sour…
HOLA! article page 4
We are already looking forward to seeing more on the group’s travels on TV next year – stay tuned…!
Written on September 30th, 2011 by admin_aquano shouts
Recently, we had the pleasure to host legendary chef Ferran Adria aboard our new M/V Aria vessel. In Lima for the annual Mistura event, Ferran ventured into the Peruvian Amazon with our very own Pedro Miguel Schiaffino to view jaw-dropping wildlife and learn about Amazonian ingredients and cuisine. We hope it’s not the last time he comes to visit us!
Above: Francesco Galli Zugaro, Aqua’s CEO; Ferran Adria; and Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, Aqua’s Executive Chef
Above: Ferran Adria on an Aqua Expeditions wildlife excursion
Written on July 21st, 2011 by admin_aquano shouts
Aqua Expeditions announced the appointment of Milly Alva as Marketing and Sales Manager.
Milly brings with her over 17 years of experience in the field of tourism, and an extensive knowledge of Peru and South America as a tourist destination. Her expertise will be greatly used with the aim to increase sales and tourism to the Peruvian Amazon.
Prior to joining Aqua Expeditions, Milly managed the regional sales department of Condor Travel, a leading tourism company in Peru, with franchises all over South America. During her time at Condor Travel, she also worked as a division manager of the European and Incentive Cruises, starting in 2009.
Milly is the director of the National Chamber of Tourism CANATUR and she also has held the position of Vice President of the Peruvian Association of Tour Operators APOTUR, since 2006. From 2004 -2007 she was the general manager of South American Tours de Peru .
Milly attended the Hospitality and Tourism Institute San Martin in Peru, where she received her associate degree in hospitality and tourism with a specialization in hospitality. She later studied English at the Catholic University and course organization and administration at the Peruvian University of Applied Sciences.
Welcome abord, Milly!!
