Aqua Expeditions Blog » Wildlife

Nobu visits Aqua Expeditions

admin_aqua — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:40:55 +0000

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.

M/V Aria to be featured on Travel Channel!

admin_aqua — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:43:37 +0000

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.

A challenge to all budding wildlife experts!

admin_aqua — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:37:35 +0000

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.

Vote now for the Amazon as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature

admin_aqua — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:16:57 +0000

The Amazon has been shortlisted as one of 28 natural sites to become part of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in a worldwide competition. The search, which began in 2007 with the submission of over 400 nominations from over 220 countries, ends this month.

The New 7 Wonders of Nature campaign was launched following the election of the New 7 Wonders of the Man-Made World and, as the slogan goes “If we want to save anything, we first need to truly appreciate it!” this message aims to raise awareness of the variety and beauty of nature around us and how we need to preserve it for future generations.

A few interesting facts and some reasons why the Amazon most definitely deserves your vote:

The Amazon Rainforest, also known as Amazonia, the Amazon jungle or the Amazon Basin, encompasses seven million square kilometres (1.7 billion acres),
The forest itself occupies some 5.5 million square kilometres (1.4 billion acres) across nine nations.
The Amazon River is the largest river in the world by volume, with a total flow greater than the top ten rivers worldwide combined.
Not a single bridge crosses the Amazon.
It accounts for approximately one-fifth of the total world river flow and has the biggest drainage basin on the planet.
The Amazon represents over half of the planet’s remaining rainforests and comprises the largest and most species-rich tract of tropical rainforest in the world.

Voting closes on the 11^th November so be sure to make your voice heard and place your vote here before the deadline.

A rare sight! The Harpy Eagle and other wonderful Amazonian wildlife…

admin_aqua — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:21:41 +0000

Aqua Expeditions’ guests have enjoyed a wonderful month of wildlife spotting so far. The exceptionally high river levels along the Peruvian Amazon has meant we have been able to get even deeper into the rainforest and closer to some of the rarest wildlife. The area is bursting with scores of frogs, more than 1000 species of birds and a host of monkeys including squirrel, capuchin, monk saki and red howler monkeys and a symphonic soundtrack of one of the world’s most biologically diverse regions.

Alongside some of the forest’s most common sightings we have been even more fortunate to enjoy breakfast on board whilst being entertained by the pink river dolphins and on one lucky occasion we caught a rare sighting of the Harpy Eagle, which is considered by Aqua Expeditions’ expert guide, Juan Tejanda as one of the Top Ten Amazon Wildlife sightings. These stunning birds usually live deep in the densest past of the rainforest so the spectacle was even more exciting.

This rare and endangered species is the largest Eagle in the Americas and the second largest Eagle in the world. These vast birds, which can weigh up to twenty pounds, are recognised by their crest of upwards pointing feathers. They like to dine on monkeys and sloths, as well as green iguanas, snakes, and other birds. Their wings, which are smaller than other similar sized birds, enable them to penetrate deep into the dense foliage of the rainforest to capture their prey.

Aqua Expeditions Helps Save Endangered Taricaya Turtles

admin_aqua — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 01:34:01 +0000

Last week, our M/V Aqua vessel transferred six trays of Taricaya turtle nests from the Pacaya River basin to the town of Nauta. The transfer, conducted in conjunction with authorities from the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, was meant to ensure that most of the eggs will survive after hatching.

With Taricaya turtles (aka Yellow-spotted Amazon River Turtle) in danger of extinction, Aqua Expeditions and local educational institutions transferred a total of 115 nests (each one containing an average of 30 eggs) to artificial beaches in Nauta and Iquitos. Under the care of students and local authorities, the 3,450 turtles born from the eggs will be released into the Pacaya Samiria Reserve upon hatching, increasing the likelyhood the species population will eventually rise to healthy levels again.

Eggs being laid in the trays for transfer to the city of Iquitos.

Aqua Expeditions staff carrying the trays with eggs at the pier in the city of Nauta.

Aqua Expeditions staff placing the trays with eggs in the truck of the Pacaya Samiria Reserve authorities.

Aqua Expeditions staff.

Amazon Wildlife Top Ten: #1

admin_aqua — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 16:19:03 +0000

1: Pink Dolphin. I feel sure that this is probably first on most Amazon biologists’ lists, our incredible pink dolphins. We don’t have to worry about protecting them poachers, because the river people rarely hunt them. They believe that the pink dolphins possess extraordinary power. One example: If a young woman becomes pregnant, and the father is unknown, the pregnancy is often blamed on a nocturnal liaison with a pink dolphin . . . or as we call them . . . a boto. The local people believe that the dolphin has lured the lady into the water for illicit porpoises.

Amazon Wildlife Top Ten: #2

admin_aqua — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 16:26:55 +0000

2: The little but very mighty piranha. People come to the Amazon expecting to see a monstrously large fish. In fact, the largest piranha is about two feet long, and most are considerably smaller. Yet they earn their reputation. Their powerful jaws and razor sharp triangular teeth enable one small fish to kill a cow. There are many types of piranha . . . in some areas the piranha never bite people. In other areas they may. However, there is no verified report of any human ever being killed by one of these sharp-toothed fish. That only happens in Hollywood.

Amazon Wildlife Top Ten: #3

admin_aqua — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 15:40:55 +0000

4: Sloth. These animals completely live up to their name . . . they truly are sluggish and lethargic. The good news is that when visitors to the Amazon spot one – with the help of their naturalist guide – they have lots of time to watch the slothful behavior. These animals move veeeeeery slowly. In fact, they only ever come to the ground to urinate and defecate, and they only do that about once a week. They don’t travel to do it, they dig a small depression right at the base of the tree where they live. It takes them about half an hour, start to finish, including time to dig the depression, do the job, and then cover their excrement. Then they slooooooooooooowly make their way home again.

Amazon Wildlife Top Ten: #4

admin_aqua — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 15:15:43 +0000

4: Anaconda. This is one frightening-looking snake, primarily because it is the largest snake in the world. People are often surprised to learn that anacondas don’t have any venom. They don’t need any. An anaconda simply wraps itself around its prey, which may be another reptile, bird, or even a mammal. It lifts its prey above the ground, squeezes it hard, and then swallows it whole, usually starting with the head. That, needless to say, creates a big bulge in the anaconda’s silhouette. Visitors to the Amazon may see anacondas in the river, typically with only their heads above the water’s surface.