Tierra Unica

Vancouver 2010 Winter Games Athletes Medals!

Here is a beautiful video of the unveiling of the gorgeous athlete medals of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

The Games in Vancouver and Whistler Blackcomb in British Colombia, Canada starts tonight with the spectacular Opening Ceremony.

 

 

Peru's Pisco Cultural Heritage - El Pisco Patrimonio Cultural Del Peru - Part 2

Here is part 2 in Castelliano (Castillian Spanish) of this impressive video called "El Pisco Patrimonio Cultural Del Peru - Parte 2" (Peru's Pisco Cultural Heritage).

There is a short interview with restaurateur, Peruvian media mogul, publisher, hotelier, and #1 Latin American celebrity chef Gaston Acurio in Lima, Peru.  Gaston is the owner of the five star Astrid y Gaston, La Mar Cebicheria Peruana, Tanta, and other top Peruvian brand restaurants.  He currently owns 40+ upscale Peruvian restaurants around the world.  He also owns the Mistura Peruvian Cuisine Expo, the largest cuisine expo in all Latin America.

Also in the video is Pedro Schiaffino, one of Peru's top young chefs and the owner of Malabar in San Isidro, Peru.  According to this month's Food & Wine Magazine here in the United States, Malabar is the 4th best lounge & bar in the world!

According to Food & Wine Magazine - "the Peruvian Pisco Sour is the most elegant of Latin American drinks.  Far superior and more refined than the Cuban Mojito, the Brazilian Caipirinha, and the Californian Margarita.  Pisco Sour made with Pisco Peruano and the Limon Peruano, the best lime in the world, has no rival."    

 

The one and only "Coca Sour Peruano" -  the mind boggling & sheer ecstasy inducing drink from the ancient Incas the Peruvian Coca Sour made of coca leaves (the raw leaves that is used to make cocaine)!!!  This is pure coca leaves not extract or coca infused Pisco.

Picture of the truly unique "Coca Pisco Peruano" at an upscale restaurant in Miraflores, Peru.  This drink is illegal in the Unites States and in most countries around the world.  But in San Francisco I know a top Peruvian restaurant that serves a Coca infused Pisco Sour!  It is much diluted, so it not the same thing.  But it is the closes thing you can get to being in Peru.          

Peru's Pisco Cultural Heritage - El Pisco Patrimonio Cultural Del Peru - Part 1

Just released yesterday Friday, Feb 5, 2010 in Castellano (Castillian Spanish) by Peru's government cultural and tourism bureau is this magnificent video called "El Pisco Patrimonio Cultural Del Peru - Parte 1"  (Peru's Pisco Cultural Heritage- Part 1).

An impressive display of 30+ different types of Peruvian Piscos at a 5 star lounge in San Isidro (outside of Lima), Peru!

 

Gaston Acurio's Laureate Presentation During The Prince Claus Funds Awards!

This is the part of the Prince Claus Funds Awards presentation in Amsterdam, Netherlands yesterday Wednesday, December 16, 2009 in which it showcases the work of 2009 laureate Latin America celebrity chef Gaston Acurio from Peru.  Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, her family, and some 600 royal guests tasted delicious Peruvian Cuisine!

Castellano (Español)

Esta es la parte de la presentacion de los Premios Principe Claus de los Fondos en Amsterdam, Holanda, ayer Miercoles, 16 de Diciembre, 2009 en la que muestra el trabajo de 2009 del celebre chef Latino Americano Gaston Acurio del Peru.  La Reina Beatriz de los Paises Bajos, su familia, y unos 600 invitados reales comieron la deliciosa comida Peruana!

Screen shots

2009 Resort Overview - Squaw Valley USA!

Here is the website and short video of one of the United States' greatest ski resort - Squaw Valley USA.

Squaw Valley Ski Resort is Tahoe's most expansive resort has 33 lifts that access 4000 acres of legendary terrain. The resort hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics and that spirit lives on today. This season join in the fun as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of those Olympic games and the 60th anniversary of the resort's opening. 

 

Looking at the Squaw Valley Tram with beautiful Lake Tahoe, CA. in the background!!! 

 

The Mother Ship & me

After a hard & fun day of skiing the runs below "The Mothership" - KT - 22 lift at Squaw Valley USA!  The greatest (most difficult) chair lift in America!!!

Castellano (Español)

Despues de un duro dia de diversion en las pistas de esqui por debajo de "The Mothership" (la Madre Nave) - KT-22 de elevacion en Squaw Valley USA!  La grua mas grande (difícil) de esqui en los Estados Unidos!

High Camp @ El. 8,200 ft (2,499 meters)

Features - Spectacular views of Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada, ice skate at the Olympic Ice Pavilion, learn a little more about the 1960 Winter Olympic Games at the Olympic Museum, enjoy the Snowtubing Arena, drink at the Poolside Umbrella Bar, and soak up the Sierra Nevada sun in the Swimming Lagoon & Spa (opens for the Spring and Summer).

Look toward the Siberia ski lift at Squaw Valley USA.

 

At top of Granite Peak, Squaw Valley USA - Windbuffed.

 

MGM City Center Las Vegas High Rise Condos!

MGM City Center opens to the general public tomorrow Tuesday, Dec 1, 2009!  Interesting, one of City Center's major investor Dubai World announced a possible bankruptcy on Thanksgiving Day, Nov 26, 2009.

 

 

 

Fresh Snow & Spectacular Base Jump Kick Off Squaw Valley USA's 60th Season!

STORY SUMMARY courtesy of Lake Tahoe Media Center: (Olympic Valley, Calif.) Squaw Valley USA commemorated the start of its 60th season today with a gala celebration that included a spectacular B.A.S.E. jump from the Squaw Valley Cable Car by pro-skier JT Holmes.

FOOTAGE INCLUDES: B-roll of B.A.S.E. jump, plus soundbites.

SUPPORTING COPY: (Olympic Valley, Calif.) In a celebration marking the opening day of its 60th Anniversary season, Squaw Valley USA offered skiers fresh snow and great early season conditions, and a unique spectacle in a B.A.S.E. jump off the Cable Car.

The jump was performed by Squaw Valley pro-skier/BASE jumper JT Holmes. Following a raucous countdown by the crowd below, Holmes jumped from a precarious perch on the carriage that holds the Cable Car to the cables. The height was approximately 300 feet above the ground.

8-10" of fresh snow fell in a strong, fast-moving storm Friday afternoon, allowing the resort to open more terrain than originally planned. Conditions for the early season were fresh and packed powder.

"The fresh snow was perfectly timed and the jump was so exciting," commented Savannah Cowley, Squaw Valley's spokesperson.This is a great start to the big anniversary season at Squaw Valley USA.

Squaw Valley USA is celebrating two major anniversaries this season - the 60th anniversary of its founding and first season, in 1949-50, as well as the 50th anniversary of the Eighth Olympic Winter Games, which were held at Squaw Valley in February, 1960.

Picture of pro extreme skier & ski base jumper American J.T. Holmes.

Opening Day At Squaw Valley 2009 - 2010!

Approaching Squaw Valley USA (near lake Tahoe, California) on opening day Saturday, November 21, 2009. 

Squaw Valley turns 60 years old with an epic opening day celebration.

 

Tribute to former Squaw Valley resident Shane McConkey, world's greatest big mountain/extreme skier and ski base jumper in history.  Shane lost his life earlier this year in the Italian Alps filming a ski-base jumping commercial.

R.I.P. Shane.....:-(

Picture taken during the Saturday night festivities on November 21, 2009.

XXL Big Wave Finals - Pico Alto International Invitational 2009 - Greg Long Champion!

Final round of the XXL big wave world championship - Pico Alto International Invitational 2009 in July.

Brazilian big wave champion Carlos Burle with Maverick & Pico Alto champion, USA's Greg Long.

Interview with Peruvian big wave champion Javier Swayne.

Peru's Jaview Swayne

 

 

 

Greg Long at Pico Alto, Peru.

 

XXL Big Wave Surfing In Peru - Billabong Pico Alto Invitational International 2009!

The world's elite surfers from around the globe arrive at Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima, Peru this past July for the XXL big wave world championship - Billabong Pico Alto Invitational International 2009!  A short interview with the current 2009 Maverick big wave champion Greg Long.  Along with Jaw in Hawaii, Maverick in California, and Dungeons Cap Town in South Africa; Pico Alto in Peru is among the best big wave surfing sites on Earth!!! 

A poster of the Billabong Pico Alto Invitational from 2004.