By now, I think everyone knows how much I love to travel and how important it is to me, both personally and professionally.
Every trip I take, I find inspiration that leads to something new … whether it’s a new recipe, or a new design collection, or a new travel opportunity to share with you.
Well, my trip to the Peruvian Amazon led to all of the above!
Let’s start with the food …
Peruvian Gastronomy
Lima has a spectacular food scene, and Peruvian gastronomy, in general, is world-renowned.
I was fortunate enough to enjoy an amazing lunch with chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino, whose cuisine is featured aboard the river ship I sailed down the Amazon.
Chef Schiaffino is special because he’s the first Amazonian chef to bring the concept of sustainability into his cuisine, which I find super inspiring.
I was also inspired by the cuisine at one of my hotels in Lima. If you ever find yourself at Miraflores Park, A Belmond Hotel, you must order the fig salad. Now, I’m not normally a salad person, but this one was so good, it inspired me to come up with my own fig salad recipe.
Ancient Peruvian Art
During my visit, I enjoyed a private tour of Museo Larco, guided by one of the curators. (This is an experience I highly recommend and can arrange for my travel clients.)
Talk about inspiration! All the textiles and pottery and jewelry really got my design juices flowing. In fact, we now have a Peruvian collection with Chelsea House that we’ll be rolling out over the next couple of years.
Luxury Sailing on the Iconic Amazon
When you imagine sailing the Amazon, what type of boat comes to mind?
Well, let me just say the ship I sailed (Aqua Expedition’s Aqua Nera) was much better than I ever could have imagined.
Honestly, its beauty was overwhelming … so overwhelming that I reached out to the designer, David Hodkinson of Noor Design, just to share my admiration.
To give you an idea, here’s an excerpt from an interview with Hodkinson in LateCruiseNews.com. When they asked him what he wanted guests to feel when they sailed on the Aqua Nera, he replied:
“I want them to feel that it’s very much a designed vessel. There’s a strong sense of design in South America, in handicrafts and contemporary design, and we want guests to feel that connection. It’s something that is very current and also very timeless. A large part of the design came from wanting to give our guests a sense of the place via design and sensual connections through the art pieces, colors, and little touches.”
Well, as a designer, I can tell he achieved all of that and more.
Life aboard Aqua Nera
Bucket List Adventure
Beyond the ship, the cruise experience was amazing as well.
If you’ve never been on an expedition cruise, the schedule is similar to going on a safari. For the best opportunities to see the local wildlife, you get up early in the morning and head out on an adventure, then come back to the ship midday to have lunch and relax awhile, then head out again in the late afternoon/early evening for more chances to spot wildlife.
When you go with a great tour operator, there’s also plenty of opportunity to learn about the local culture.
Here are a few of the highlights from my trip:
Catching an Anaconda
It doesn’t always happen, but we were lucky enough to spot an anaconda … and the conditions must have been just right, because our guides decided to catch it (and release it). The brave souls among us were even able to hold the snake around their shoulders. Definitely a bucket list experience for me!
Fishing for (and Swimming with) Piranha
One day, our guides took us out in little skiffs and showed us how to catch a piranha. Afterward, we were given the opportunity to swim with them… which I declined.
But if you’ve always wanted to swim with piranhas, this is a great way to do it!
Kayaking on the Amazon
In my case, it wasn’t really kayaking. My friend and I weren’t the best paddlers, so we ended up floating aimlessly into unexpected sections of the river, which offered lots of entertainment for the local villagers.
Connecting with Locals
This was one of my favorite experiences … One of the local families welcomed us into their open-air home along the river, and with the help of our guide, we learned more about the family’s way of life.
To put things into perspective, the family we visited was considered wealthy because they owned a hog and some chickens. But what struck me the most was the kindness in their eyes and how important it is in their culture to take care of one another.
Jungle Trek
Because my trip took place during the low-water season, our group was able to walk through the jungle, which was an awesome experience.
Our guides explained some of the ancient Peruvian traditions that are still practiced today, including some fascinating practices that involve nature and fertility.
Exceptional Service
All the staff was amazing. Beyond their knowledge and skillset, they sincerely loved welcoming us and getting to know us. By the end of the trip, we all felt like family.
Overall, it was a magical experience. I love meeting new people and having exhilarating adventures, so traveling with a small group on an expedition-style cruise was rewarding for me.
That’s why I’ve decided to host a group on the same ship, PLUS explore Lima’s gastronomy scene and head up to Machu Picchu on the Belmond Luxury train! Click Below for more details!
Inspiration Around Every Bend
As always, I returned from my travels brimming with ideas for new recipes, collections, and travel opportunities to share with you.
This trip was truly inspiring in so many ways. What was the most inspiring thing you discovered on your last trip? Reach out and let me know—I’d love to hear about it.
Shoutouts
• Thank you to Miraflores Park, A Belmond Hotel, in Lima for the rockstar treatment! (As a Bellini Club member, I can also get my clients the same treatment … for future reference.)
•Thanks to the Country Club Lima Hotel for the glass of champagne on arrival! I also loved the history and the beautiful art in my room.
• A huge thanks to Aqua Expeditions and staff for making the trip one I will never forget and to Chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino for meeting with me for a special lunch in Lima.
