Las Hermosas Playas De Ixtapa

May 22, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Ixtapa Beaches

Nuestros huéspedes y visitantes de Capella Ixtapa a menudo nos preguntan sobre nuestras playas locales favoritas -una pregunta muy difícil de contestar, ya que tenemos suerte de contar ¡con muchas playas hermosas en Ixtapa – Zihuatanejo! De hecho hay tantas playas que recomendar que hemos dividido este articulo en dos partes. En esta ocasión nos enfocaremos a Ixtapa, y en el próximo post revisaremos las playas de Zihuatanejo. Cada playa tiene su propio carácter y cada una es ideal para ciertos deportes acuáticos. Estoy segura que encontrarán una perfecta para ustedes.

Ixtapa Beaches

PLAYAS DE IXTAPA 

Playa Linda
Playa Linda está ubicada en la parte norte de Ixtapa -y muy cerca de Capella Ixtapa- y tiene más de 1 km de larga. Es una playa muy popular para practicar deportes acuáticos, nuestro torneo anual de surf sucede aquí, y es aquí también donde puedes subirte a una panga para visitar la Isla Ixtapa. En lo personal me encanta el manglar de la laguna. Incluso hay un mirador desde donde puedes observar los cocodrilos.

Playa El Palmar
Esta es la playa principal de Ixtapa, localizada en el corredor principal hotelero (o Zona 1). Con una longitud de 2.5 km y un menú de actividades acuáticas done está incluida el parasailing! Esta playa es uno de mis sitios favoritos para disfrutar de puestas del sol espectaculares. Cabe recordar que la playa está certificada como “Playa Limpia” por el IMNC.

Playa Las Escolleras
Esta es la playa más popular en la zona para practicar el surf, se puede acceder a ella desde Playa El Palmar, a través de las rocas que dividen la marina de la playa. Esta playa es particularmente popular en Capella Ixtapa, ya que muchos de nosotros (incluido nuestro sommelier) disfrutamos deslizándonos por esas olas.

Playa Quieta
Esta encantadora y tranquila playa tiene 350 metros de longitud. Ubicada frente a la Isla de Ixtapa, es el lugar ideal para nadar y practicar un poco de windsurf. A mi en lo personal me encanta también hacer kayak en esta playa.

Isla Ixtapa
La Isla Ixtapa es una hermosa isla accesible solamente por medio de taxi acuático que puedes tomar en Playa Linda. Es también una de las playas favoritas de nuestro Gerente General Eliezer Quiñones. A mi me encanta hacer snorkeling y buceo ahí.

Playa Varadero en Isla Ixtapa
Esta playa es el punto de llegada a Isla Ixtapa. Hay restaurantes y operadores de deportes acuáticos. Es un gran lugar para comer algo y admirar el ir y venir de los botes desde la comodidad de la playa.

Playa Cuachalalate en Isla Ixtapa.
Esta playa ofrece también restaurantes de pescados y mariscos así como renta de actividades acuáticas. Su nombre proviene de un tipo de árbol muy abundante en esta parte de la isla. La corteza de este árbol es utilizado aún hoy en día con fines médicos para mejorar la circulación sanguínea, úlceras bucales, infecciones y otros más.

Playa Coral en Isla Ixtapa
Fácilmente, una de las mejores playas para hacer buceo y/o snorkel! Debido a su hermosa y abundante flora y fauna marina, a todo el que la visita se le pide de la manera más atenta no caminar en el arrecife, sacar plantas o pescar de cualquier manera. Notarás que la arena aquí es completamente diferente que en las otras playas de la Isla.

Así que díganme, cuál de estas playas esperan visitar en su próxima visita?

 

 

Foto: digiyesica via Flickr.

 

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The World Gourmet Summit at Capella Singapore

May 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment
World Gourmet Summit

Last week was the end of the annual World Gourmet Summit held in Singapore.  The event ran for two weeks and took place at restaurants all over the country.  As a lover of food, this is definitely one of my favorite events of the year because it is an opportunity to taste dishes from amazing chefs from all over the world.  Capella Singapore’s The Knolls was very fortunate to be one of the venue hosts for this event and we had the immense pleasure of hosting two renowned pastry chefs from Spain, a father and son team, Paco and Jacob Torreblanca.

The menus were truly fascinating because it was the first time I saw a full savory menu featuring chocolate.  An interesting and unlikely combination of ingredients was my first thought when I saw the menu for the dining events.  It included a Venison Pears Terrine with Chocolate Chutney, a Warm Scallop with a Chocolate Crust and Daikon, Japanese radish, and a Roasted Pigeon Breast served with a bitter chocolate sauce and hazelnut cauliflower puree.  However my apprehensions were soon put to rest, as Chefs Paco and Jacob’s blending of flavors were sublime.

This distinctive dining concept was Chef Paco Torreblanca’s idea and the result of his fascination with the possibilities of blending cocoa with Mediterranean ingredients.  From this spark of inspiration Chef Paco and his son Jacob have gone on to create a whole new and unique dining experience.

World Gourmet Summit

The series of dining events at The Knolls also included a Chocolate High Tea.  One of the most notable desserts featured the Cassis Royal, a light raspberry and pistachio layered cake marked with a giant white chocolate “oyster.”  Chef Paco shared the story behind this dessert, “I had a friend who loved oysters, but unfortunately one day he had some that made him sick.  Hearing this, I told my friend that I would create for him an oyster that would not make him sick and that he would love.”  Talk about a great friendship!

Hopefully you will be able to join us for a future World Gourmet Summit- I know my stomach is already looking forward to the next event!

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The Jazz Rally Returns To Dusseldorf

May 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Jazz Rally

Finally, the time has come for the Jazz Rally to take place in Dusseldorf!  One of the most exciting events of the year, attendees enjoy an exciting weekend full of Jazz, Funk and Soul music.  This year the event runs from the 17th until 19th May and takes place in 150 different locations throughout the city.  One location that is sure to be a favorite is an open-air stage directly in front of the Rhine complete with bridges and the famous Rhine tower in the background.  However, I am most excited about a performance scheduled to take place at the airport and featuring Xavier Naidoo a famous German artist with an extraordinary voice.

Every year I can feel the anticipation building for the event.  As acts and locations are released I find myself planning out my calendar, trying to squeeze in every event!  The city is a buzz with energy and expectation.  Of course everyone is quick to purchase the famous Jazz Rally Button, which gets you into all the official events.

Jazz Rally

This year, Breidenbacher Hof, A Capella Hotel is getting in on the action!  Funk/Soul Duo Monica & Hutch will be playing at the Capella Bar.  I look forward to sitting back with some friends and enjoying a cocktail while listening to them!  I am always entranced by the rhythms and emotions in their music.

I hope I piqued your curiosity a bit because this event is the biggest Jazz festival in Germany – so really something special!  And if you are a jazz lover looking to attend, be sure to check out the Jazz Rally Special, which the Breidenbacher Hof has created especially for the event.  All in all, you have two great reasons to enjoy the Jazz Rally in Dusseldorf this year: Jazz and the Breidenbacher Hof!

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Die Jazz Rally Ist Zurück In Düsseldorf

May 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Jazz Rally

Endlich ist es wieder so weit: Die “Jazz Rallye” findet zum 21. Mal in Düsseldorf statt. Eines der aufregendsten Veranstaltungen des Jahres, wo die Besucher ein spannendes Wochenende voller Jazz, Funk und Soul genießen können. Vom 17. – 19. Mai erklingen aus 150 verschiedenen Locations oder auch unter freiem Himmel stimmungsvolle Töne. Eine der Spielstätten, warscheinlich die beliebteste, ist die Bühne an der Rheinpromenade. Eine Freiluftbühne, mit Blick auf den Rhein, die charakteristischen Rheinbrücken und den beleuchteten Rheinturm im Hintergrund – eine traumhafte Kulisse! Ich bin am meisten gespannt auf das Konzert, welches am Flughafen stattfinden wird. Xavier Naidoo wird dort für Stimmung sorgen.

Jedes Jahr spürt man in der gesamten Stadt die wachsende Vorfreude auf diese Veranstaltung. Sobald das Programm steht, versuche ich so viele Konzerte wie möglich in meinem Kalender unterzubringen. Die Stadt verfällt in eine Begeisterung und fiebert erwartungsvoll dem Wochenende entgegen. Schon im Vorverkauf schnappt sich jeder den berühmten Jazz Rally Button, der den Zutritt zu allen Veranstaltungen ermöglicht.

Jazz Rally

Wie ihr uns kennt, lässt es sich der Breidenbacher Hof, a Capella Hotel natürlich auch nicht nehmen einen musikalischen und kulinarischen Beitrag zu leisten. Das Funk/Soul Duo Monia & Hutch unterhält Euch am Pfingstwochenende in unserer Capella Bar. Ich freue mich schon darauf, mich gemütlich zurückzulehnen und mit einem Cocktail in der Hand den beiden zu lauschen. Jedes Mal wenn ich sie höre, bin ich aufs Neue überrascht, mit wie viel Gefühl und Rhythmus in ihrer Musik die Beiden mich fesseln.

Ich hoffe ich konnte eure Neugier ein wenig wecken, denn dieses Ereignis ist das größte Jazz-Festival in ganz Deutschland – also wirklich etwas ganz Besonderes. Kleiner Tipp für die Jazz-Fans unter Euch: Im Rahmen des Events, haben wir ein passendes Jazz Rally Arrangement für Euch kreiert. Wie ihr seht, gibt es gleich zwei gute Gründe sich dieses Spektakel nicht entgehen zu lassen.

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Emily Of Emerald Hill At The Peranakan Museum

April 24, 2013 by Leave a Comment
peranakan museum

Earlier this month, the Peranakan Museum was having a very special exhibition on Emily of Emerald Hill, an iconic Singaporean play written in 1982 by local playwright Stella Kon.  Emily of Emerald Hill has been performed numerous times in Singapore as well as other parts of the world such as Malaysia, Hawaii and even Edinburgh!  It is considered one of the regions greatest literary works.

peranakan museum

Paying tribute to the symbolic play, the Emily of Emerald Hill Exhibition at the Peranakan Museum showcased the different interpretations of the play through the costumes, props, scripts, photographs and videos.

Emily of Emerald Hill follows the life of a young Peranakan bride, Emily Gan who marries into a rich matriarchal family on Emerald Hill.  What is interesting about the play is that it is a one-woman play narrated by Emily as she recounts the challenges and experiences from her past.

Emily of Emerald Hill is touted as a symbol of Singaporean Identity and one of Singapore’s most iconic plays because of how closely it follows and preserves the Peranakan culture.  The Peranakans were born from the early Chinese immigrants to the British Malaya, now known as Singapore and Malaysia.  Many of them were traders, the middle people between the British and the Chinese and they grew to be among the wealthiest group in the early 20th century.

The Peranakan culture is interesting because of the integration of both Western and local culture.  As such, while they mostly spoke English, hints of Malay and dialect would be present as part of their speech.  The Peranakan also continued to practice many of the Chinese beliefs, which are depicted throughout the play.  True to the story of Emily, Peranakan Families are very matriarchal, because the women would run the household while the men were off to work to earn money to support the family.  Peranakan women were known to be extremely capable, not just in cooking but also in intricate handicrafts.

The next time you visit Singapore, I would definitely recommend a visit to the Peranakan Museum where you will be able to experience first hand the exotic Peranakan culture.  Please talk to your Capella Singapore Personal Assistant, who will be happy to help with planning your visit!

Here is a video excerpt of the play Emily of Emerald Hill:

 

Photo via The Peranakan Museum.

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Atlzazilistle: The Jaguar Fight Rain Ritual

April 22, 2013 by Leave a Comment
"Jaguar Dance" by Susan Contreras.

I love Mexican traditions, and if you’ve read my previous posts, we have plenty of them!  Recently I learned about an amazing tradition, unique to our state Guerrero.  It is a rain ritual and I would love to share it with you.

Atlzazilistle (or the Jaguar fight rain ritual) is a petition for rain and fertility.  The festival takes place in the village Acatlán, about 6 hours from Ixtapa.  Each year the events begins with the blessing of the seeds on April 25, and the climax of the celebrations arrives in early May with festivities organized by the hosts and community authorities.

During the festival people offer birds, flowers, food, copal and wax figures at various hills and sacred places.  One of the most interesting and picturesque rituals happens on May 2, with staged fights among various masked figures.  Early in the morning the tlacololeros (men in masks, jute suits and with whips) visit mayordomo at his home, where they offer him pozole and mezcal as an invitation to the ceremonies and a signal of the start of the ritual.

"Jaguar Dance" by Susan Contreras.

“Jaguar Dance” by Susan Contreras.

After this, the entire community gathers at the church, where the tlacololeros, the cotlatlastin (men of the wind) and tecuanis (men dressed as a jaguar) are presented.  The church music is played by teponaxtli (a slit drum made of hollow hardwood logs) and the chirimía (a wooden flute), while the church bells formally announce the start of the festivities.  At that moment tecuanis (people dressed as jaguars) gather in groups of 22 and begin to fight.  This part of the ritual aims to bring rain and good crops, as it is an ancient belief that “The more the tecuanis (jaguars) fight, the more rain falls.”

The fights continue to the next day, when participants march to the top of a sacred hill Cerro del Cruzco.  This is the climax of the offering to the earth (huentli) to bring rains and good crops.

During the festivities each of the tecuanis keeps complete anonymity.  They dress and groom alone so their opponents – who can be their friends or even family – don’t recognize them. The tecuani use a skin mask made by craftsmen of Acatlán.  They are amazingly beautiful and considered a master craft, and can sell for hundreds of US dollars.

This tradition has been passed from generation to generation, and it is believed that every stroke of a wrestler over another is a prayer for good rain and good soil.

This is quite the festival!  And I look forward to seeing the results from this year’s harvest.

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