Last week, three members of Aracari’s sales team had the opportunity to try out the climbing wall at Pirqa, one of Lima’s best indoor climbing gyms. The name Pirqa derives from the Quechua and Aymara words for a stone wall. In addition, for climbers, a pirqa is a pile of rocks used during a trek to show where the trail is so that they can continue along the right path. If your path leads you to the Pirqa climbing gym, you will discover that rock climbing can be a fun adventure for almost anyone from children to adults. Even if it’s your first time, the friendly instructors at Pirqa will give you helpful tips to get you started and make sure your experience is both fun and challenging. Here we share our expeirence testing our Piraq Climbing Wall Lima. Scaling Pirqa Climbing Wall Lima We arrived on a Friday evening and were welcomed by the friendly staff at the reception. They provided us with special shoes to wear. The shoes that climbers use are interestingly called “pies de gato” in Spanish, meaning “cat’s feet” because they are light, flexible and they grip well allowing the climber to move adeptly like a cat. Wearing clothes that are comfortable for exercise is recommended and there are lockers to use free of charge to leave your belongings while you climb. Mark, Giovanna and I were led off to the spacious climbing area to do 5 minutes of warm-up exercises for our arms and wrists in preparation for the climb. There are two sections, a bouldering area and the regular 15 meter-high wall. For more experienced climbers, the bouldering wall also has an overhanging roof area to practice climbing upside down and maneuvering over tricky areas. There are also cushions below since the climbers
Last week, three members of Aracari’s sales team had the opportunity to try out the climbing wall at Pirqa, one of Lima’s best indoor climbing gyms. The name Pirqa derives from the Quechua and Aymara words for a stone wall. In addition, for climbers, a pirqa is a pile of…
January 22nd was the inauguration of David LaChapelle’s photography exhibition at the MAC Lima, the Museum of Contemporary art in Lima. LaChapelle is an American photographer known best for his commercial and fine art photography although he also has directed music videos and created short films and a full-length feature. The exhibit is a condensed compilation of photographs from his career spanning from his first photographs in 1984 up until 2013. Two Aracari team members, Bianca and I, were lucky enough to arrive in time to find a place in the quickly-filling outdoor space where David LaChapelle was going to talk prior to the exhibition opening at 7:30pm. LaChapelle prefers to attend all inaugurations of his work because he feels it’s part of his job to be present--although he wants the photos to speak for themselves and for each to interpret them in his or her own way. David LaChapelle is a fascinating character, from his slow drawl peppered with pensive sounds, chuckles and pauses, to the way he spoke directly and informally to the crowd, encouraging us to make our artistic mark on the world. Born in 1973 in Connecticut, he dropped out of high school and made his way to New York City when he was 14 years old. He got a job at Studio 54 and enjoyed a life surrounded by the party atmosphere of the art and fashion worlds of New York in the 80’s. In an attempt to finish high school, he had a brief stint at North Carolina School of the Arts where a photography course piqued his interest and he began shooting and developing film in a friend’s loft in the East Village upon his return to New York. His first photos were in black and white, experimenting with bleach, manipulating negatives and
January 22nd was the inauguration of David LaChapelle’s photography exhibition at the MAC Lima, the Museum of Contemporary art in Lima. LaChapelle is an American photographer known best for his commercial and fine art photography although he also has directed music videos and created short films and a full-length feature….
Chilcano Week If Happy Hour and other such drink deals and socializing opportunities appeal to you, look no further. Starting last Friday, January 9th and running until the 18th is La Semana del Chilcano 2015, or “Chilcano Week”, where many bars and restaurants all over Lima promote this popular pisco-based cocktail using a selection of exotic flavors as a twist on the original and lower prices such as 2-for-1 deals and even buy 3 get the 4th free. Those partaking in the 4 for the price of 3 option should note that chilcanos are not drinks for the low in tolerance. You might want to take advantage of the combination deals some locations offer, for example, two chilcanos and piqueos in order to have a snack along with your drinks. The idea for this celebration of chilcanos was created in 2009 by journalist and writer Manuel Cadenas Mujica and celebrated for the first time in 2010. The idea was to promote good quality pisco--a traditional Peruvian alcohol--on a national and international level. Each year La Semana del Chilcano has a theme and this year it is “Chilcano que se respeta”. Slogans of the past few years have included: “El pisco en boca de todos”, “El chilcano es una fiesta”, and “Conoce el pisco, conoce el Perú”. What is a Chilcano? Chilcano is a cocktail made of pisco, ginger ale and lime, with angostura bitters added as an optional ingredient. In variations on the original drink, flavors are added such as coca leaves, passion fruit, chica morada or chili pepper. As the official website for la Semana del Chilcano warns, be wary of flavored chilcanos and low-quality pisco because it takes away from the refreshing taste, quality and flavor of the traditional chilcano. However, for those of you who like experimenting
Chilcano Week If Happy Hour and other such drink deals and socializing opportunities appeal to you, look no further. Starting last Friday, January 9th and running until the 18th is La Semana del Chilcano 2015, or “Chilcano Week”, where many bars and restaurants all over Lima promote this popular pisco-based…
Last month, the MATE Museo Mario Testino inaugurated their temporary exhibit of Andy Warhol Film Portraits in collaboration with the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This is the first time Andy Warhol’s films have been exhibited in Peru. We had the pleasure of stopping by to have a look at both the permanent collection of Mario Testino photography and the Andy Warhol exhibit. The permanent collection includes many photos by renowned Peruvian photographer Mario Testino including pictures of Madonna, Gisele Bündchen, and Princess Diana--to name a few. The Andy Warhol: Film Portraits exhibit consists of a dark room with five screens showing famous film clips: Kiss (1964 - 1965), Mario Banana (1964), Lupe (1965), Face (1965) and a compilation of Screen Tests. Warhol regularly invited various personalities to his studio, also known as “The Factory”, and filmed them just being themselves, creating hundreds of short films. Everyone loves an interactive museum, and it was fascinating to watch museum visitors create their own Screen Tests in a small room modeled after “The Factory”. A few Aracari team members even made their own as well! After choosing the background, black or silver, a camera recorded each visitor for three minutes. Afterwards, the silent slow-motion version of the film clip is emailed to the individual, and MATE’s favorites are shown online. The Andy Warhol exhibit runs through March 15, 2015. You can read more about MATE Museo Mario Testino and past exhibits in MATE Opens Permanent Collection of Works by Mario Testino, Visiting the Mario Testino Association, and MATE Exhibit Legends in Light by George Hurrell. If you are interested in stopping by the MATE Museo Mario Testino, contact us for more information about the best places to view art in Lima.
Last month, the MATE Museo Mario Testino inaugurated their temporary exhibit of Andy Warhol Film Portraits in collaboration with the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This is the first time Andy Warhol’s films have been exhibited in Peru. We had the pleasure of stopping by to have a look…
Introducing Bolivia Packed with extreme landscapes and diverse cultural heritage, Bolivia is becoming an increasingly popular destination for more adventurous travelers. With altitudes ranging from slightly above sea level to over 20,000 feet, the landlocked country has a variety of climates that make for an amazing trip where one can combine visits to rain forests, deserts, mountains, plains, lakes and more. To meet the growing demand for trips to Bolivia, we are excited to launch a brand new sample itinerary--just in time for the New Year--that demonstrates the best of the country's highlands: Bolivia: Salt flats and silver. Over 12 days and 11 nights, our suggested itinerary includes guided excursions to the key destinations in the Bolivian Andes, incorporating the most comfortable and authentic accommodations along the way. Bolivian Highlands The itinerary starts off in La Paz with tours of the city, to check out different neighborhoods and see wonderful art and markets. Next, it includes a visit to an urban farm and cheese maker in the outskirts followed by a recommended dinner at Claus Meyer’s restaurant, Gustu. From La Paz, a brief stop in Tiwanaku, a Pre-Columbian archaeological and UNESCO World Heritage site can be enjoyed en route to Lake Titicaca and the Isla del Sol (Sun Island). Known as the legendary birthplace of the Inca Empire, the scenic island has magnificent views over Lake Titicaca and the Andes mountains and is ideal for day trekking. After touring the island and staying overnight in a rustic and comfortable eco-lodge, travelers head back to La Paz to spend the night prior to flying south to visit the largest and highest altitude salt flats in the world, the Salar de Uyuni. The expansive salt flats, spanning 200km, are a sight to behold, especially at night when the stars come out. We
Introducing Bolivia Packed with extreme landscapes and diverse cultural heritage, Bolivia is becoming an increasingly popular destination for more adventurous travelers. With altitudes ranging from slightly above sea level to over 20,000 feet, the landlocked country has a variety of climates that make for an amazing trip where one can…
Luxury hotels in Peru Blog post update in 2016: Hotel de Autor has been renamed Autor I, with the addition of sister property Autor II, also located in Miraflores. As the new year approaches, we’re excited to add another great accommodation to our list, Hotel de Autor, a luxurious bed and breakfast located in the heart of the Miraflores neighborhood in Lima, Peru. Asked to describe the style of Hotel de Autor in a few words, co-owner Humberto said, “inspiration and exploration” are what he wants guests to feel when they stay at the property. It certainly isn’t hard to evoke those feelings--as soon as you walk in the front door original pieces of Andean art and large antique-looking books catch your eye in the spacious and cozy lobby. The lobby, along with the breakfast room and the rooftop terrace, serves as a common area for travelers to share their adventures. Most all of the aesthetically pleasing pieces of art, books, baskets and other decorative elements are from Humberto’s own collection. The natural colors of the furniture and art blend well together and contrast nicely with the bright white walls. Head up the stairs while pausing to admire the enlarged George E. Squier prints of cities and maps of Peru from “Travel and Exploration in the Land of the Incas”. The maps--found throughout the property--are an important part of the charm. It’s exciting to start a journey in Lima and see many of the same cities you will be visiting decorating the hallways. The result of collaboration between Humberto and his business partner Alejandro, after having worked together in hospitality, Hotel de Autor has the spirit of a hostel and the comfort of the more luxurious accommodation that it is. There are four bedrooms, one on the first floor and
Luxury hotels in Peru Blog post update in 2016: Hotel de Autor has been renamed Autor I, with the addition of sister property Autor II, also located in Miraflores. As the new year approaches, we’re excited to add another great accommodation to our list, Hotel de Autor, a luxurious bed…
