Our Next Gastronomical Adventure took place at the Sumaq Hotel in Aguas Calientas, a.k.a. Machu Picchu

A tasting menu at Sumaq Machu Picchu hotel in their Suquy Cafe and Bar, where a team of young chefs  led by Ribellino created the most amazing  meal. 

We started with a delicious cream of Andean tubers garnished with a quisharcancha mushroom duxelles sauce, pachamanca style foam and native potato chips.  

Followed by delicious Puca ceviche of salmon  trout cubes in tigers milk flavored  with Camu Camu and strawberry.  

Then came the first of the two main courses,  8 hour simmered lamb shank in Chicha  de hora, accompanied with native potato gnocchi in a huancaina  and fresh corolla sauce 

Then we had the best risotto au gratin with Andean cheese and Chicllayo duck magret, accompanied by a mix of garlic flavored mushrooms, confit cherry tomatoes and fine herbs.

But it didn't  end there.  Then came the  best yummy deserts,

Lucuma panda Cora, a mocha Peruvian style dessert  and custard apple bavarois with Nutella and almond praline. 

Message to Peru........ I'm gonna have to come back. Food like this can not be forgotten and neither can the people. The culture, the peace, the history, the beauty, the adventure and the love of the people. 

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What an amazing surprise.  New hotel young chef with Relais chateau class service, flavors reminiscent of Michelin star service can only put this hotel restaurant in the # 1 position in Peru.  (Officials  take note)

The new deluxe Sanctuary Ananda river boat sailing the Ayeyarwady and Chindwin rivers.

 The New Sanctuary Retreats deluxe river cruiser, specifically designed for the Irrawaddy, or if you are up to date with current name changes, the  Ayeyarwady  river, began sailing in November 2014  and I was a lucky guest. Just 21 suites (14 deluxe suites  291-301 sq ft), 4 Luxury  suites ( 334 -356 sq ftt)
and the  Aloungpayah  owners suite with 721 sq ft of space)
Every cabin has it's own balcony.   

A shallow draft especially adaptable  for the many sand bars along the river.

An open deck policy meant you could check out  what depth the river was, inquire what was cooking, have a cooking lesson, a longhi tying lesson, and even a Myanmar make up lesson on how to prepare and apply thanaka, the traditional  Myanmar cosmetic.

Great corners

for inviting  chats.

Luxury suite

Luxury suite sitting area.

Aloungpayah owners suite sitting room

Aloungepayah owners suite bedroom

Aloungepayah suite bathroom

Aloungpayah suite bathtub.

I was invited to partake in the soft sailing of Sanctuary's new ship the Ananda, on the Irrawaddy river, an offer I couldn't refuse, leaving me with earnings to return. It's not just that she is a beautiful explorer ship specifically built to handle the sand bars on these famous rivers but it's the people.
The people of Myanmar are so hospitable, so warm, so friendly, their English  is not quite there yet but that's half the charm.

   

Teak wood furniture on the private balconies with all suites.
Here the river boat is moored at it's temporary 'dock' due river flooding
 that washed away the pier three weeks before I arrived.  

My large teak floored bathroom.

More teak flooring in the bedroom with a raised bed suitable for suitcase storage below.   

And the wonderful panorama  through  windows and doors.