Inappropriate / Inaccurate? Silvio Espinoza

Description

Went to a island trip and a scallop diving trip. Island trip was good and informative, really what is should be. Scallop diving and cooking was exellent experience - something really unique.

Description

One of the best adventures in Peru. On a whim, I went with Silvio and Joonas (from Finland) to a small shack right on the coast. We took a boat out, not far from shore, and Joonas went diving. He said the bottom was loaded with scallops. He filled a 5 gallon bucket with them and we headed back to the shore to prepare lunch. We all contributed making seasoned rice and Peru's classic BBQ Parmesan Scallops. You can't get any fresher than that. Ive never really liked scallops but WOW, I mean WOW! Thats was amazing. Muy rico!! Up here in the Pacific Northwest we do a similar dish with Oysters but what a treat, Scallops! So I enjoyed one of the best meals I had in Peru on the coast admiring the sea with boats off in the distance, surrounded by the sand cliffs and my hand on a mokawked Peruvian dog. Truly a tasty adventure.

Upon our departure we slowly said goodbyes...2 hours later, and who knows how many cigarettes, a local invited Silvio to a Birthday Party. He also said we could come along too. I felt so privileged and gladly accepted. I learned how to drink cervesa Peruvian style and got a taste of Wyno (spelling?) music and had fun dancing myself. I think the whole town was there. Everyone was really friendly. Joonas and I were the only tourists in the place. We are so lucky to have been able to attend. Silvia was so nice and had good energy so when he invited me to stay overnight with him and Joonas I was very thankful.

Sincerely, that was a once in a lifetime experience and one of the highlights of my whole trip in Ecuador and Peru. Thanks Silvio.

Description

Made arrangements with Silvio the day before to see the Islas Ballestas and then tour Paracas National Park. He met me at the dock in the morning and made sure that I had a choice seat on the boat. I am a nature lover, with a special interest in birdlife. So, I was especially pleased that he knew so much about bird identification and their life histories. The islands are a mecca for birds and seals (and orcas and whales in season). A highlight for me was the abundance of Humbolt penguins but many of the birds were first in a lifetime sightings (lifers) for me. The boat drove close enough for amazing photos. There were over 200 seals, many with babies along one rocky beach. It was magical to watch them jostle for position while others played in the surf. Silvio had lots to say about the local economy, the 2007 earthquake, the fishing industry and the tourist industry. After returning to shore I had a quick stroll through the markets and then we met our driver, Jose. We stopped back at the hotel so I could change out of my boating closes (even though I didn’t get wet) and pick up my wife. He drove us to the National Park and completed a circuit by car. We stopped at the important cultural and natural beauty points. He had a lot of additional information that wasn’t included in the pamphlet from the Park warden. We stopped for a delicious lunch at the tiny fishing village of Lagunillas. We capped the day off with another birding highlight: Chilean Flamingos on their summer feeding grounds at the foot of Paracas Bay (still within the park). From this same point we could see the location of the Paracas Necropolis where over 400 funerary bundles were found. We had a great day with Silvio and Jose. I recommend doing a tour with him.