Photograph courtesy of The Wildlife Conservation Society

The piece, written by Dave Sherwood, was all about ‘Birding Along the Cloud Forests’ and spoke about the hundreds – and even thousands – of birds visible in Peru. The article mostly speaks of avian life outside the Amazon…so what about the rest?!

To share some of the birds they missed, we decided to ask our guide Juan Tejanda, born and raised in Iquitos, to give us his “Top Ten” of the Amazon; but we made it a little harder for him and asked him to include ALL the wildlife in the Amazon and not just birds!Over the next couple of weeks we will be sharing his answers. Simply visit us here and be prepared to add a thing or two to your “bucket list.”

Committed to providing an authentic wildlife and cultural experience to its guests, Aqua Expeditions has released a music CD for guests to relive their Amazonian voyage on dry land. The CD is a musical compilation performed by Aqua Expeditions’ “house band” – made up of M/V Aqua’s crew – and was recorded in Iquitos, Peru, its vessel’s home port.

The CD contains a collection of 12 tracks of instrumental and lyrical favorites that include Peruvian classics like “El Condor Pasa”  and internationally known pieces like “”Besame Mucho.” The album cover boasts artwork by famous Peruvian artist Christian Bendayán and can be purchased onboard in the M/V Aqua’s boutique.

In addition to this, Aqua Expeditions’ Wildlife Checklist, used during excursions into Pacaya Samiria Reserve, can also be transformed into a stylish keepsake. Listing dozens of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles, insects and common plants and trees, the guide keeps track of the many wildlife sightings while exploring the Amazon. It reads like a ‘wish list’ of the most exotic living things on Earth and includes the elusive Pink Dolphin and the endangered Amazonian Manatee; enough to elicit a little jealousy from even the most seasoned adventurer.

The M/V Aria at dusk

Aqua Expeditions CEO Francesco Galli-Zugaro announced plans this month to launch the second Aqua Expeditions vessel on the Peruvian Amazon, the M/V Aria, in April 2011. The M/V Aria features 16 specially designed cabins with floor-to-ceiling picture windows, a fully air-conditioned top deck with observation lounge as well as the Aqua Expeditions’ signature Amazon Grill with award-winning Executive Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino.

In addition to these amenities, the M/V Aria will also boast an exercise room and an outdoor Jacuzzi with sun deck, a unique addition to accommodate the discerning and fitness conscious traveler.

“We are thrilled to announce the launch of the world’s second five-star luxury vessel to sail the Amazon,” says Galli-Zugaro. “The M/V Aria will provide the ever-growing number of travelers who wish to explore one of the world’s last great wilderness areas with a one-of-a-kind travel experience.”

The boat’s itineraries will vary from those of its sister ship, the M/V Aqua, but will also explore remote areas of the Amazon River. The 24-crew member M/V Aria is staffed with four world-class nature guides and will also include an Amazon wildlife reference library and air-conditioned multimedia room.

The M/V Aria’s lounge

A cabin on the M/V Aria

The M/V Aria’s top deck with Jacuzzi and sun deck

The M/V Aria’s dining room

The M/V Aria

Left: Chefs Pedro Miguel Schiaffino and Nobu Matsuhisa. Right: top, paiche with tapioca; bottom, lamb with quinoa.

Peruvian celebrity chef and Aqua Expeditions Executive Chef, Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, recently made a series of special guest appearances at NOBU Tokyo as part of a Peru Fair hosted by culinary giant Nobu Matsuhisa. Cooking alongside fellow Peruvian chef Toshiro Konishi and Nobu himself, Chef Schiaffino prepared a variety of dishes highlighting the best of Peruvian cuisine for VIPs, media and consumers.

After his training at Matsuei sushi restaurant in Lima, Chef Nobu spent three years in Lima, which he credits with the shaping of his modern NOBU style. Often calling Peru his second home, Chef Nobu welcomed chefs Schiaffino and Konishi to his restaurant where he looked to introduce their Asian fusion and contemporary Peruvian cuisine to Japan.

Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino currently serves as the Executive Chef for Aqua Expeditions, a luxury cruise company venturing into some of the most remote areas of the Peruvian Amazon. He also owns Malabar and La Pescaderia restaurants in Lima. Known for his ingenious modern use of Andean and Amazonian ingredients, chef Schiaffino’s first cookbook dedicated to Amazonian cuisine is due to be released later this year.

 Aqua Expeditions now offers guests three new on-board lectures: “Local Communities and Natural Resources in the Peruvian Amazon,” “Amazonian Fauna and Flora” and “Amazonian Fish.” The lectures have been created by Aqua’s resident biologist for guests looking to gain deeper knowledge about the region and its ecosystems. Each lecture is presented once per journey in English or Spanish and takes place during happy hour on the vessel’s air-conditioned top deck lounge.  Guests can enjoy a Camu Camu Sour while learning about the many species that inhabit the Peruvian Amazon and Aqua’s responsible practices.
 
Amazonian Fauna and Flora
This lecture talks about the different species found in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, in which the MV Aqua sails, and explains the roles they play in the ecosystem, the threats they face and how Aqua Expeditions supports their conservation and development.

Amazonian Fish
This talk focuses on Peru’s fish community, with special emphasis on species found in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, the role the fish population plays in the local ecosystem and how Aqua Expeditions supports their conservation.

Local Communities and Management of Natural Resources in the Peruvian Amazon
This lecture discusses facts about the communities living within the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, how they interact with their local ecosystems and how Aqua Expeditions is helping them preserve the Peruvian Amazon.

Last week, guests from the M/V Aqua had the opportunity to see these shy rodents up close during an excursion along the Pacaya River. Howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, macaws and many other animal species could be seen during the excursion, but nothing captivated guests more than the capybara sighting. Guest Jeff Nicola had the opportunity to take the photograph below–incredible!!

(Photograph by Jeff Nicola)

Also last week, our New York-based PR person, Nestor, had the same encounter while visiting the Central Park Zoo (pictured below). As part of the Rain Forest display, the New York institution known for being the inspiration for the movie “Madagascar” has a resident Tamandua that manages to sleep through the hoardes of curious guests tapping on its glass home.

Central Park Zoo’s Tamandua: http://www.centralparkzoo.com/animals-and-exhibits/animals/mammals/tamandua.aspx

The winning hour-long episode of Food Trip, filmed on-location in the Peruvian Amazon, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, highlights the best of Peruvian cuisine.  In the Amazon, chef English was guided by Peruvian star chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino and visited local markets, where he sampled various exotic ingredients.  Amazonian snails and catfish from a local market served as inspiration for a ceviche-cooking segment aboard the luxury vessel MV Aqua, which was topped off with Chef Schiaffino’s special Camu Camu Pisco Sour.

Aqua Expeditions’ public relations representative in the U.S., Nestor Lara-Baeza of WEILL PR, was fortunate enough to have been asked to accept the award for chef English as he had a previous engagement that evening.

One of the programs Aqua Expeditions participates in is the Manatee and Dolphin Rescue Center near Iquitos. Guests can visit the center and make donations to protect these protected species. (Photo by Paul Rubio)