Aqua Expeditions Blog

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.

Aqua Expeditions and WEILL win the Gold Adrian Award

admin_aqua — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:21:52 +0000

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…

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.

Mike Unwin awarded for his piece on cruising with the M/V Aria

admin_aqua — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:30:28 +0000

We are delighted to see that journalist Mike Unwin, who travelled on the M/V Aria earlier this year on behalf of UK national newspaper, The Independent, has been awarded third place in this year’s AITO Travel Writer of the Year Awards for his piece ‘ A (big) river runs through it). Just in case you missed it first time round, here it is again!

Congratulations Mike!

HOLA! features Ferrán Adrià with Aqua Expeditions on the MV Aria

admin_aqua — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 16:50:13 +0000

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…!

AQUA EXPEDITIONS ON NYC BUSES

admin_aqua — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 18:23:36 +0000

If you are a Sex and the City fan you know what a BIG deal it is to be featured on the side of a New York City bus; it was such a HUGE deal for Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) on the show that the creators dedicated the majority of an episode to this event.

Having our very own “Sex and the City moment,” we are excited to share a couple of photos of our very own M/V Aqua vessel on the side of a New York City (MTA) bus!

Earlier this year the Wall Street Journal featured Aqua Expeditions in their travel section and they have now used that same piece for a promotional campaign across NYC.

Aqua Expeditions Welcomes Ferran Adria on the MV Aria

admin_aqua — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 23:30:08 +0000

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