iCONNOiSSEUR

iCONOiSSEUR

TM

YOUR LIFESTYLE GUIDE TO EXCELLENCE

+ MAY / JUNE 2015 + ISSUE 4 + iCONNOiSSEUR.COM

your lifestyle guides to excellence

George Lopez GOLF 101

THE LUXURY OF TIME

FIRST BIODYNAMIC CHOCOLATE

MOST PRECIOUS SUIT ON EARTH

MOST WANTED NYC MIXOLOGIST

VINES WITH FLAVOR + WINES TO BUY NOW!

CONTENTS MAY/JUNE 2014

pg. 50

The Luxury of Time - Milosz Pierwola

FEATURES 24.

The Luxury of Time

if time is gold, then luxury is the freedom to pursue your passion.

45.

By Mia Ricci

By Milosz Pierwola

28.

Rio Mar Beach Resort

and spa is the centerpiece of Puerto Rico’s ecological renaissance.

By Rodney Green

George Lopez

is a man making peace with his past, looking to the future, and loving the present.

50.

Be Wise Bid, And Buy

If you are serious and have a plan, art auctions might be for you.

By George Nelson Preston

78.

Practice Makes Perfect

A new generation of doctors fine-tune the intricacies of health in the 21st century

By Naadu Blankson-Secki

82.

Vines With Flavor

Amelia Ceja leads a team that has turned a small family owned vineyard into a power wine house.

By Pablo Aguilar

DEPARTMENTS Motor Way Travel Concierge

Entrepreneurship Fashion

08.

12.

18.

22.

34.

Spirits

Restaurants Gastronomy

Master Recipes

36.

38.

41.

52.

58.

62.

Business & Money

Power Watches Tech & Gadgets

Sports & Play Wine

Smoke Rings Wine Buying Guide

COSTA RICA NEW GENERATION OF BUSINESS JETS QIVIUK + “The Most Precious Suit on Earth”

THE GIN YOU ARE IN MOST WANTED NYC MIXOLOGIST 2014 MEET HENRIQUE! OUR RESTAURANT CRITIC THE “FIRST” BIODYNAMIC CHOCOLATE + “Where it comes from + where and how to get it”

NEW RESTAURANT’S ERA - A REFLECTION CHEF DANIEL BOULUD

+ “Practical measures to assure your family’s quality of life”

68.

71.

72.

74.

76.

86.

pg. 44

COVER: George Lopez Photo by: Jessica Grenier

+ “He sent us his own recipe of a classic Mexican dish”

KEEPING IT ALL IN THE FAMILY

Wine Reference Kit

PANAMA

64.

Must-Have Gifts

FERRARI + PORSCHE + ASTON MARTIN

LATEST & GREATEST DIVE WATCHES PERSONAL JET CAPSULE + “Infrared Sauna” (page 73)

ART & GIFTS THE BUCK STOPS HERE-WALLETS PADDLING IN PARADISE WINE SERVICE

pg. 52

The Perfect Chocolate is made in Ecuador

wine buying guide pg. 08

pg. 08

+ “Sommelier Yannick Benjamin”

88 90 88.

TOP WINES TO BUY NOW ONLINE!

+ “With Our Wine Referee”

WINE CLASS + D.O. JERES-XERES-SHERRY CIGAR CLUBS + COHIBA + NYC CIGAR CO.

pg. 82 Vines with Flavor wirh Amelia Ceja

iCONNOiSSEUR MAGAZINE PUBLISHER & EDITOR Pablo Aguilar EDITOR AT LARGE Emily Kane GRAPHIC DESIGNER Gerry Marks CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Mia Ricci Milosz Pierwola Cathy Lilly GASTRONOMY: Recipe contribution: Chef Daniel Boulud (Pescado Veracruzana) Adapted from: Braise: A Journey Through International Cuisine by Daniel Boulud & Melissa Clark, Ecco 2006 - FOOD: Clay Gordon (When buying gourmet chocolate) PHOTOS: courtesy of Pacari Chocolates. BEVERAGE: Craig Carey & Jerry Pietzak (The gin you are in) - ADVENTURE & PASSION: Milosz Pierwola (The luxury of time) PHOTOS: Milosz Pierwola - TRAVEL: Rodney Green, (Rio Mar Beach Resort), Panama (Karina Arrua) Mia Ricci (Costa Rica) - COVER STORY: Mia Ricci (Home on the range) PHOTOS: Jessica Grenier - AVIATION: Gregory DL Morris (Global Reach) - HEATLH: Naduu Blankson-Seck (Practice makes perfect) - FINANCIAL: Kevin Walker (Keeping it all in the family) - WATCHES: Christopher Morris (Dive watches) SPORTS: Jon Gromer (Paddling in Paradise) - CIGARS: Gregory DL Morrys, David Roth (Cohiba Siglo Vl) - CARS: Paul McIndoe (Ferrari, Aston Martin & Porsche) - ART & COLLECTION: George Nelson Preston (Be wise, bid & buy) - Sotheby’s Latin American Art auctions photos: Desnudo acostado + Still Life with fruits by Botero, Courtesy of Sotheby’s - Axel Stein editorial@latinconnoisseur.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Virginia Cano: virginia@ latinconnoisseur.com ADVERTISING SALES INFO@iconnoisseurguides.com www.iconnoisseurguides.com EDITORIAL OFFICES: 106-15 Queens Blvd Suite Forest Hills, NY 11375 Published b y i C o n n o i s s e u r M u l t i m e d i a I n c .

iCONNOiSSEUR recognizes excellence to its highest expression(s) and celebrates those creative and passionate minds and artisans who pursue it iConnoisseur Guides – Your Lifestyle Guide to Excellence is the most provocative cross-cultural lifestyle brand name and guide tool that’s in constant motion engaging its vibrant and refined audience at an intellectual and emotional level via print, interactive web platform and mobile device app ex: Ipad and events. iConnoisseurGuides effectively has been acting as a link between leading brands and a rather diverse universal audience in the U.S. This media platform is targeting affluent (150k+) professionals in the U.S. who pursue excellence and for everyone in between who is equally influenced by and passionate about our culture and values.Our lifestyle magazine is the perfect guide that speaks and reflects equally on sophisticated and intellectual individuals of high net worth in the US and the world. iConnoisseurGuides is written in the language and style that directly speaks to a wider range of discerning connoisseurs through fashion, travel, gastronomy, health, sports, family and culture. We publish in print and online 6 issues per year in the most important cosmopolitan cities such as: Miami, Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, Houston and other major metro areas.Our mission is to inspire our readers in a way that every-time they get our products or simply visit our site in search of any answers we can remind them their culture (their past) their family (their present), and their education, (their future).

PUBLISHER’S NOTE My mission as the Latin Connoisseur’s publisher is to bring excellence to your lifestyle, intellect and to your heart, so you can live life to the fullest.

My goal is to serve you by publishing the single most influential and authoritative publication for the most discerning Hispanic and Latino affluent audience, who represent more than 42 countries, who have many looks and speak many languages and who are looking to discover the world’s finest products, services and experiences via digital media, print, tablet, email, social media and events.

Our guide brings the best in travel, automotive, electronics, watches, jewelry, fashion, yachting, fine dining, aviation, real estate, wines, spirits, and home furnishings.

“We are what we choose to think. Let’s strive for excellence only through the slightest detail”

All that’s valuable and excellent. Well yes, I know reaching for excellence is not an easy task, and it brings many challenges along the way, but that’s what makes any endeavor more interesting and what makes us appreciate who we are and what we have just a little bit more.

I welcome every one of you to join me in an ongoing discussion about the state of mind of Latin and Hispanic culture that crosses the superficial lines of borders and hemispheres.

Once again we are always open to any input you may have on any subject - we welcome it! Our mindset is to serve you, just like at the family table.

As always, the best harvest is at home!

Pablo Aguilar

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

EDITOR’S NOTE I want to establish an active forum that builds awareness through which we can empower each other to the highest levels, through fashion, gastronomy, art, business, sports, technology and health from every part of the world.

I’m so incredibly proud and yes, happy! to tell you how many “new up and coming excellent” professionals and companies are flourishing in every industry.

For example in our Gastronomy section (page 52) we bring you the first biodynamic and the best chocolate in the world.

We are here to guide you with our editorials, which will not only inform but also reflect our creative and intellectual spirit. Also in this issue we have prepared relevant, useful material that we believe could impact different aspects of your life.

To quench your intellectual thirst, again let us satisfy your appetite with a creative opinion as our travel writers share theirs. In this issue we bring you an analogy between luxury and time by travel adventurer Milosz (page 24). Who said that traveling makes you wiser and more compassionate about life? And for those who are going on vacation, our contributors bring amazing stories from Panama, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica (pages 12, 18 and 28).

For our feature story, our iConnoisseur Guides Golf expert and guide Rafael Martinez had the pleasure to play golf one-on-one with actor and show host George Lopez, who shared with us his latest wins (page 45).

In fashion and style we bring the most precious suit and garments on earth which are made from the sheddings of the muskox in the Canadian Arctic, two visionary entrepreneurs from Peru realized the potential of this precious fiber and now connoisseurs can’t have enough of it (page 34).

In the food section I decided to get crative and write about the restaurant worker of the future I feel it’s a fun read that will keep you thinking about it (page 58).

For those who love auctions and want to buy or just learn more about auction houses, we have visited three major auction houses around the world and gotten the inside story from one of them about excellent Latin American Art in the 21st century (page 50).

At this stage we are thinking about health issues, bringing you “Practice makes perfect” (page 78).

Once again to seriously tease your taste buds and prove that we can all cook “well” just like the French ooh la la - please don’t tell them… - we got an amazing recipe from one of the most successful restaurateurs and chefs in the world; Chef Daniel Boulud who graciously sent us his own interpretation of a classic Mediterrenean dish.

You know already that we are serious about wine here, well again wine just doesn’t let me go to sleep and not because I have been drinking a glass or two, but because we are sharing with you once again our wine section. Our iConnoisseurGuide brings you a few engaging wine-related stories: the first one brings you the most successful Hispanic winemaker in the U. S. (page 82); the second is a super invigorating story about a great man that didn’t allow an accident that left him in a wheelchair stop him from dreaming big and executing excellence at all levels (page 86); the third is the wine reference kit - a page that you have to take with you (yes, rip it out and take it with you and use it as you go along with your food ad wine activities). And of course we can’t let you go without showing you our hand-picked best wines to buy now! (page 88). In our spirit section find a note about the classic gin & tonic and a cocktail that was mixed exclusively for us by one of the hottest mixologists in NYC (page 38).

Once again we are always open to any input you may have on any subject; we welcome it!

Our mindset is to serve you, just like at the family table.

Thank you once again for giving us a read!

Pablo Aguilar

EDITOR’S NOTE

AmericanAirlines and AA.com are marks of American Airlines, Inc. oneworld is a mark of the oneworld Alliance, LLC.

We know life can take you virtually anywhere.

And that’s exactly where we fly.

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Book kn now ow on A AA.com.

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MOTOR WAY

FERRARI GTB There’s no better example of Ferrari’s contemporary automotive dominance than the 599 GTB Fiorano. Let’s start in the most important place: Under the hood. The powerful 12-cylinder engine is a work of art all its own. With a series of chain-driven, twin overhead camshafts, the pulsating pistons are able to produce optimal torque and serious acceleration.

How does 0-60 in 3.7 seconds sound? Is a top speed of 205 miles per hour fast enough for you? The next generation of Ferrari’s F1 gearbox cuts shift times down dramatically by simultaneously releasing the clutch while disengaging and re-engaging the next gear. Of course the interior and exterior are beautiful—as you’d expect from any Ferrari.

They are driveable pieces of art. But owning one of these truly unique machines is more about reconnecting with those childhood dreams and dominating the road. But for those of you who like the perks, you can take solace in the fact that this is the first Ferrari equipped with a standard electronic device connection. Who says classic can’t be cool?

08 ICONNOISSEUR LATINCONNOISSEUR MAGAZINE MAY | JUNE 2014 2015 08 GUIDES APRIL | MAY | JUNE

ASTON MARTIN DB9 Of the many things to love about the Aston

100 mph in 4.9 seconds for the standard ( 5.1 for

Martin, its body should not go unnoticed —

the automatic), and its magnesium alloy paddles

with its taut angles and gentle curviness, this

behind the steering wheel enable F-1 style gear

mechanized wonder evokes awe usually re-

changes when driving conditions necessitate.

served for big cats of the wild. Conceived

Swan wing doors handsomely avoid high curb-

from the outset as a coupe and convertible

sides and when open, give flight to the DB9’s

(Volante), this beauteous speed machine has a

mythic beauty. Complete with lightweight alu-

front-to-rear weight distribution that places a full minum and composite body panels, halogen 85% of its mass between the front and rear axles

for maximum balance. Its 6-liter engine does 0-

projector headlights with power wash and a top speed of 186 mph, the DB9 offers no reason to hang around for the ovation.

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S H OW RO O M

20 15 PORSCHE 918 SPIDER

DRIVING IN NYC

>2015 PORSCHE 918 SPYDER<

Quiet & elegant: E-Power” Last fast lap around Central Park in Manhattan

10 ICONNOISSEUR GUIDES APRIL | MAY 2015 10 LATIN CONNOISSEUR MAGAZINE MAY || JUNE JUNE 2014

While I know I can beat the unofficial speed record (24 min. 7 sec. loop) by a an unknown man on the ring of highway around the edge of Manhattan, which was recorded on Aug. 28th, I will remain calm and continue my leisurely trip around the city that never sleeps.

The 918 Spyder embodies the essence of the Porsche idea: it combines pedigree motor racing technology with excellent everyday utility and maximum performance with minimum consumption. The task faced by the development team was to create the super sports car for the next decade with a highly efficient and powerful hybrid drive. Developing the car from scratch, appropriately beginning with a sheet of white paper, allowed the team to come up with a no-compromise concept. The entire car was designed around the hybrid drive. The 918 Spyder therefore demonstrates the potential of the hybrid drive to a degree never seen before:

the parallel improvement of both efficiency and performance without one being at the cost of the other. This is the idea that has made the Porsche 911 the most successful sports car in the world for 50 years. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> In short, the 918 Spyder What’s inside: will act as the gene > Parallel Full Hybrid pool for the Porsche > V8 engine sports cars of the fu> 608 hp at 8,600 rpm ture. Marking the > 390 pound-ft torque at 6,600 rpm success of the final tuning measures, the Porsche super sports car is now even more capable of putting in a strong sprinting performance. The vehicle now accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds (-0.2 seconds), and with the Weissach package, it accelerates from 0 to 124 mph on the track in 7.2 seconds (-0.5 seconds). It reaches the 186 mph

mark after 19.9 seconds (-2.1 seconds) on the track. Quiet and elegant: “E-Power" When the vehicle is started up, the “E-Power" mode is the default operating mode as long as the battery is sufficiently charged. In ideal conditions, the 918 Spyder can cover approximately 18 miles on purely electric power. Even in pure electric mode, the 918 Spyder accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 7 seconds and can reach speeds of up to 93 mph. In this mode, the combustion engine is only used when needed. If the battery’s charge state drops below a set minimum value, the vehicle automatically switches to hybrid mode. At the speed I’m driving around Central Park, the only thing left to do is avoiding the police, but while that happens I’m thinking that something as simple as driving around Central Park at 2 am can turn into a totally different experience behind the wheel of this Porsche.

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hoto credit: Creative Commons (SaavedraVS)

Ciudad de Panama Night Skylline

PanamaFresh MOMENT COLLECTING IN THE AZUERO PENINSULA

by Karina Arrue

PEOPLE COME TO PANAMA For the Canal, for its beaches and rainforests, for surfing and sports, fishing and for all sorts of adventure-touring. Things like visiting Captain Henry Morgan’s ruins in Panama Viejo, the historic part of the capital city, or islandhopping in the Indian territory of San Blas always have their place in the tourist’s itinerary. If you come all the way to Panama, then you must certainly do these things, but I encourage you to explore some of the lesser-tapped origins of this Central American country as well. Perhaps I emphasize this because Panama is my father’s homeland. Of course I’ve enjoyed visiting my share of tourist attractions too, but that’s not where I came in contact with

12 ICONNOISSEUR GUIDES APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2015

12 LATINCONNOISSEUR MAGAZINE MAY | JUNE 2014

the people and traditions of Panama—that’s where I bumped into other tourists like myself.

I’ve learned after several tries that when trekking in any country, the sensible traveler should be armed with three tools: 1) a good travel guide; 2) the ability to put away the list of recommended sites contained therein; and 3) the desire to slow down enough to wander down random streets or simply people watch while drinking a cup of coffee. It also helps to meet some local people who already know the lay of the land. My father comes from a small town in the Azuero Peninsula, a region located on the southern coast of the country. It’s a three- or four-hour drive from Panama City and happens to be one of the last parts of Panama to be discovered by tourists.

Actually, Panamanians from other parts of the country don’t know much about this region either, except that if you want a big party, the Azuero Peninsula is the place to be. Known as the “cradle of Panama’s Spanish

In fact, they often participate in the crazed affair by jumping onto the Weld and attempting to ride the bulls themselves. This of course, is always accompanied by the clapping and jeering encouragement of others. Personally, I’m not a fan of the sport, but it’s a relief to know that Panamanians are a bit more humane than their Spanish counterparts—none of the bulls are killed or hurt.

Since fireworks are de rigueur for just about any occasion, the bulls are good enough cause to light up. In another corner, inebriated Panamanians emboldened to participate in folkloric singing contests make for an equally lively part of the event.

The Cathedral of Santa Librada in Las Tablas. It dates back to the 18th century.

PHOTO CREDIT: NICANOR ARRUE JR.

heritage and folkloric traditions,” the most elaborate festivals and traditional religious celebrations in the country happen here.

My father grew up in Guararé, but most of his family lives in the neighboring town of Las Tablas. Both are in the province of Los Santos. I visited this past July, and I was in luck since I booked my flight for the week of festivities surrounding the regional patron saint Santa Librada. Catholic or not, you are sure to enjoy the extended revelry, which includes seemingly random parades, religious processions, horse promenades, and live music.

Panamanians are a fun-loving people, and just about any occasion is good enough reason to bring out the floats and have an impromptu parade around the town square. Such was the case after El Concurso Nacional de la Pollera, an annual contest for the traditional costume held right in Las Tablas during this time. (See side bar on the next page for more on the pollera.) Winners and losers alike mount kitschy floats and dancing breaks out in the street to the sounds of a full murga orchestra ensemble, which consists of trumpets, trombones, drums, claves and other Latin percussion instruments.

Where does a city with less than 10,000 inhabitants find so much money for the magnitude of these joyous fiestas? I have yet to figure that one out. To add to the merriment, there are also clandestine horse races and bull Wghts, which are distinct in Panama because the crowd isn’t barricaded behind fences.

One of the contestants at El Concurso Nacional de la Pollera proudly displays her dress.

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La Pollera Embodies Four Centuries of History La pollera is the national dress of panama. Women often

although in the more rural regions, a simpler version is worn daily. The word “pollera” simply means a full skirt, but its current signification is a bit more regal.

The dress descends from the attire of Spanish peasants A beachfront hotel at El Uverito

in the 17th century, but has since evolved into a distinctly Panamanian costume due to the influence of Panama’s geography, climate, and various ethnic groups.

It is estimated that every Panamanian woman owns at

ent pieces of gold jewelry that are often custom-made for

least two polleras in her lifetime, and this is no small accomplishment. A pollera is a huge investment, costing

the costume; and turtle shell combs bordered in gold and adorned with pearls are also made, unless they are

thousands of dollars to make. So much so, that what was once a peasant dress is now considered an heirloom that is

passed on, of course. The tembleque, or headpiece, is a

passed on from generation to generation. It typically takes about a year to create because of the intricate embroidery

Much of their musical inspiration comes from the sugarcane liquor Seco Herrerano, the national beverage, which is made right in the Azuero Peninsula (or some other domestic brew, like Cerveza Atlas).

If you want to try the culinary delights of Panama, times of grande fêting are ideal because food stands and street vendors abound. You can sample traditional fare, such as carimañolas, yucca fritters stuffed with meat, or bollos de maiz nuevo, fresh corn mashed and boiled in its own leaves. A favorite of mine, which is also available on the street, is Resbaladera, a drink made from rice, barley, and nutmeg. Another staple that is available year-round is arroz con pollo, or rice with chicken, which has lots of variations throughout Latin America. The Panamanian version contains green olives, capers and green peas.

And if you’re on a beach on the Azuero, I highly recommend that you eat at one of the little shacks you might be tempted to walk right past, especially on the less commercialized beaches (i.e. in Guarare and Las Tablas). You will be rewarded for the lack of aesthetic flair by the most freshly caught seafood at ridiculously low prices.

On the subject of beaches, be sure to visit some in Pedasí. This is the region of the Azuero which tourists have begun to buzz about, and for good reason. There is a beach in Pedasí that I will never forget: It’s called Venado, a hot spot for international surfing. I remember making little crabs crawl out of their holes as a child and then chasing them as they scurried across the sand in droves. Their red shells were a sharp contrast to the straw-colored sand and the crystalline aqua blue water. It is perhaps one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.

During the festivities, any foreigner can easily navigate through the area because all the commotion is in the center of town. Even if you have the worst sense of direction, the sounds and smells will help you pin down the local happenings. But a word to the wise: if you come to this region on a day when there is no huge celebra-

or appliqué floral designs sewn into the skirt and ruffled shirt. The design is first created by an artist and is unique to each dress.

There are different kinds of polleras (and they vary by region), but the most stunning of them all is the gala or luxury pollera with its full two- or three-tiered skirt that unfolds like a delicate hand fan. There are about 30 differ-

beautifully complicated arrangement of pearls, fish scales and silver threads. La pollera montuna is a bit more simple, but just as festive. It consists of a long skirt in a bright color and a white blouse with one tier instead of two. The skirt is not embroidered, but is often made with patterned cloth.

Whether it is montuna or gala, the pollera is proudly donned by Panamanian women as the greatest symbol of their country’s cultural identity.

top right: The elaborate tembleque and gold ornamentation traditonally worn with a pollera

PHOTO CREDIT: NICANOR ARRUE JR.

El Uverito Beach in Las Tablas

PHOTO CREDIT: NORIS VILLAREAL

wear it to festivities accompanied by an elaborate ensemble of gold jewelry and white, beaded hair ornaments,

14 LATINCONNOISSEUR MAGAZINE MAY | JUNE 2014 14 ICONNOISSEUR GUIDES APRIL | MAY | JUNE 2015

bottom: La reina nacional de la pollera—the national queen of the pollera shows of her beautiful dress during a parade

PHOTO CREDIT: NICANOR ARRUE JR.

A clandestine horse race on a dirt road

A rowdy bullfight in Las Tablas

tion, it is best to travel with a native in tow.

Unless you enjoy aimless wandering, that is.

During my stay, for example, it struck me that there were virtually no street signs in Las Tablas, except for a few random plaques commemorating somebody. “How do you know where to go if there are no signs?” I inquired. “Well, you don’t really need them,” my uncle replied one day from behind the wheel. “This town is small enough that you just know where everone lives.”

Obviously, there isn’t an overwhelming amount of commercialization catering to the tourist, which just means more interaction with the locals—who are more than happy to oblige with special insights.

My grandmother, for instance, knows all the “spots.” I mentioned on one occasion that I was hoping to get a pedicure, so she took me to a nondescript house on a little road in Chitre where she knew someone—not the kind of information you would find in the Yellow Pages. Later, when I requested a brightly woven mola tapestry to take home, she drove me along the highway 40 minutes south of Las Tablas and then took a few bends along a narrow road. And then she parked her car in front of another nondescript house to inquire within, claiming that I could score a better deal there than in the capital city.

Outside of a good time, this is one of the most attractive things the Azuero Peninsula has to offer: an authentic small-town charm that will win you over. People still ride their horses down the street and roosters peck at the grass on their owners’ front lawns. Having to stop for a herd of cattle crossing the road is a common occurrence.

And if you want a coconut, chances are someone will grab a machete and knock it down from their own tree.

My uncle’s beach house

OF A GOOD TIME, THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST “OUTSIDETHINGS ATTRACTIVE THE AZUERO PENINSULA HAS TO OFFER: AN AUTHENTIC SMALL TOWN CHARM THAT WILL WIN YOU OVER. ”

The bright colors of the Pollera Montuna on display at a parade

Children clad in the national costume for a parade

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COSTA RICA

“The Jewel of Central America”

By Mia Ricci Despite its rich history and culture, recent decades have not been kind to much of Central America, so the region is not often considered a luxury vacation destination.

Except for Costa Rica.

Having forgone the idea of a national army more than 50 years ago, Costa Rica is tropical, affordable, and most importantly, neutral. The people are friendly, the hotels are inexpensive, the food is exotic, the culture is fascinating, the coffee is unbelievably good. and the golf is amazing. Picture teeing it up in the morning at a course designed by a famed architect, surrounded by beautiful rainforest and exotic animals, and then going home in time for dinner followed worldrenowned coffee as you enjoy the night view of an active volcano. With seven top-level courses and more in the works, Costa Rica is becoming quite the golf destination.

66 18

ICONNOISSEUR GUIDES APRIL |MARCH MAY | JUNE 2015 LATINCONNOISSEUR MAGAZINE | APRIL 2014

By Cathy Lilly A scene of cliff divers from an Annette Funacello beach party film drifted into my mind.

A faint young girl’s voice proclaimed “It isn’t fair.”

Yes, I recalled my younger self’s sensibilities when hearing dad say "Only men dive off cliffs."

Then I vowed to join them, but only got as far as diving on 1meter boards in high school.

What inspired me to literally jump through immobilizing fear and start cliff diving at the age of 56? What residue of childhood trauma percolated up as I watched the woman balk at the edge of the beautiful reservoir?

The longer I watched the more a visceral identifcation with her spoken dread crept in...

No! I pulled myself away, taking a deep yogic breath, and anchored my anxiety with a quick inventory: The waterwall’s mist was gently soothing; my skin glistening in the sun. I was pain-free from physical injuries I have. So, a pause for prayer, then I leapt off the cliff, reaching my arms wide into the longest swan dive of my life. Pura Vida!

THE GOLF Most courses in Costa Rica are part of a luxury resort, making it easy for visitors to plan a practical and easy vacation. The courses are designed by world-famous architects and the green fees are affordable.

As Costa Rica is a small country, the best way to experience the golf is by going from resort to resort, where you can see the country, meet the people, and stop at cozy local restaurants along the way.

The Paradisus Playa Conchal Resort in Guanacaste has wide fairways with vast sand bunkers, reedy lagoons, and greens with tricky fall lines, making it a favorite among avid golfers. The Garre de Leon course is Latin America s first Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, meaning that there is a good chance that while you are putting you might have an audience of colorful birds or shy monkeys watching from the woods nearby.

The Los Suenos Marriot Ocean and Golf Resort is located in a 1,000-acre rainforest at beautiful Herradura Bay and features a18-hole course designed by Ted Robinson. There is also a driving range, tennis courts, a large casino, and a luxurious Health Club and Spa. Opened in 2003, the Four Seasons Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo features the newest (and most luxurious) golf course in the country. The Arnold Palmer designed course offers jaw-dropping views of the Pacific Ocean on 14 out of its 18 holes, and the resort offers the Four Seasons signature world-class accommodations and amenities.

For those who are a little more adventurous, you can also stay at hotels and resorts of your choice and take day trips to the golf courses. Places to check out include the Xandari Resort Hotel and Spa, a small hotel not far from the SanJose airport featuring stunning architecture, spacious rooms, and an adjacent spa village, which is a series of private thatch roofed treatment rooms.

THE FOOD The best way to enjoy a true Costa-Rican dining is to eat at a mirador, a hanging restaurant on the side of a volcano. The miradores are usually found around San Jose, because of the area s typography.

Since San Jose is set in broad valley surrounded by volcanic mountains, the locals have no place but to go up, so they build vertical roadside cafes on the sides of volcanoes. The best place to go to a miradore would be the town of Aserri, six miles south of downtown San Jose. Go to the Mirador Ram Luna, sit by the window to enjoy the glimmering lights on San Jose below, and order a plate of chicharrones (fried pork rinds).

If dining at such heights is not your thing, there are plenty of ground-level restaurants. The Grano de Oro is a restaurant in La Sabana known for its wide range of meat and fish dishes. Try the macadamia-encrusted corvine, a fish dish served in a light and tangy orange sauce, and end with the Grano de Oro Pie, a delectable desert with layers of chocolate and coffee mousses and creams.

Another restaurant to check out is La Luz, famous for serving adventurous international ethnic dishes. Try the fiery garlic prawns, sautéed in acho-chili oil and sage and served over a roasted-garnish of fried leeks and tequila-lime butter and cilantro-oil sauce. Then there is Machu Picchu, an unpretentious little joint in San Jose. This cozy eatery is known to be one of the most popular places to eat in the city, with its delicious no-hassle dishes. Make sure to try the causa limeña, lemon-flavored mashed potatoes stuffed with shrimp, and the aji de gallina, shredded chicken served in an aromatic cream sauce. sauce

THE ATTRACTIONS There is always an abundance of things to do when you are in Costa Rica, a small country high on flavor and culture. Most of the points of interest in the country, however, are located in San Jose, so it might be best to spend a couple of days sight-seeing apart from your golf road trip around the country.

For museum-lovers San Jose offers more than a dozen museums, ranging from traditional and cultural museums to art exhibitions. The Museo de Oro Precolombino (Museum of Pre-Columbian Gold) is an impressive underground building in downtown San Jose showcasing indigenous jewels with mysterious and dark backgrounds.

The Museo de Jade (the Jade Museum) exhibits the largest American jade collection in the world.

For the art-lover, there is the Museo de Arte Costarricense, set in a gorgeous building that used to be an international airport, featuring fine paintings and sculptures. Then there is the popular Museo Criminológico (Museum of Criminology), also in downtown, a bizarre showcase of body parts and gruesome pictures illustrating the history of criminology and law enforcement in Costa Rica.

One of the best attractions in Costa Rica are the festivals and street fairs in San Jose. Many people show up early to these fairs to sample homemade traditional snacks k and d admire ad d dmire i handicrafts h di f offered ffered by local vendors. When you arrive in San Jose, find a local and just ask.

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Global R The newest generation of business jets put entrepreneurs & executives one stop from anywhere in the world.

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othing beats a great pair of legs. In business aviation, long legs mean a range of anything more than 6,000 miles, which puts passengers just one stop from anywhere. No matter where the destination might be on this planet, if the trip is more than 12,000 miles, go the opposite direction. The Earth is only 24,000 miles around, so no two places can be farther apart than half that distance.

To drive, or rather, fly the point home, one of the top business jet makers, Bombardier, flew its new Global 5000 nonstop from San Francisco to London for the Farnborough Air Show this summer. The Global 5000, along with the rival Gulfstream 500 series, has the longest legs of all business jets and are just two hops from any business meeting, any vacation spot, and any golf course in the world.

Both Boeing and Airbus, the two major commercial aircraft makers, have business versions of their smaller airliners, but those are not generally available in pools or for fractional ownership. At least one fractional plan, Marquis Jets of New York, can make available a Boeing Business Jet, which is based on the 737 airframe. But as with the biggest lobster in the tank, you have to make a special inquiry to book time on one of those aircraft.

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At the slightly more accessible end, Marquis Jet, in affiliation with NetJets, offers blocks of 25 hours ranging from about $110,000 for a sevenpassenger, 2,000-mile Citation V to about three times that price for a 14-passenger, 7,000-mile Gulfstream V. Marquis has also formed a partnership with Cunard Line that includes a transatlantic crossing on the Queen Mary 2 one way, a private jet flight the other way, and accommodations in between.

Marquis flies most of the top business and private aircraft, including Gulfstream, Raytheon (Hawker), Cessna (Citation), and French company Dassault (Falcon). The major exception is Bombardier jets. That maker runs its own fractional ownership program called FlexJet with Globals, Challengers, and Learjets.

Marquis partner NetJets, which is part of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway empire, just ordered 20 Hawker-800 mid-sized jets from Raytheon, as well as 20 Hawker-400 light jets. For those with a sense of aviation history, Hawker is the storied maker of the Hurricane British fighter plane from World War II. British Aerospace still produces parts for today’s jets, but the company was bought by Raytheon in 1993, and merged with Raytheon’s civil aviation unit, Beechcraft.

The newest Hawker will push the midsized jets into competition with some of the long-range model. The Horizon, due out later this year, is being billed as a “super mid-size” and will sport a range of 3,400 miles—and most importantly transatlantic capabilities.

“The Horizon will be a sweet spot in business travel,” says Brad Hatt, president of Hawker. “About 90% of business travel Bombardier Global 5000 is within that range, either coast to coast in the

each

By Gregory DL Morris

U.S. or New York to London, and then city pairs in the rest of the world. We can’t do nonstop to Tokyo, but that is really a very small segment of the market.” Fully equipped the Horizon is yours for $18.4 million. The biggest jets run $35-$45 million.

PGA pro Robert Gamez, rookie of the year in 1990 when he won the Tucson Open and the Bayhill Invitational, flies with another fractional program, Citation Shares. “Most pros find 24 tournaments a year ideal,” says Gamez, “but I play in about 30.

Being with Citation has allowed me to get to so many tournaments, and to get home for a few days in between.”

He still flies commercially, but recently had to call on his hours to salvage a tournament in Hawaii. “I had to get from Las Vegas to LAX for the flight to Hawaii, but there was a problem with the first leg. I called Citation and they got me to my connection. They prefer at least eight hours’ notice, but they will work with anything.”

The overall business and private jet business is recovering after a few bad years. Analysts Forecast International of Newtown, CT, expect almost 11,000 business jets will be produced in the next ten years, worth all tolled $135 billion. First quarter production was up 14% already this year.

The two fastest growing segments of the market are the entry level, the ultra-long range top end. At the smaller, but still very posh, end, a new competitor, Eclipse Aviation, plans to crank out about 100 aircraft a year for the next ten years to grab a significant slice of the market.

At the top end the clash of the titans is between Bombardier and Gulfstream. If Bombardier’s Challengers look familiar, that is because their stable mates are the CRJ’s that led the revolution among airlines to regional jets over turboprops (Bombardier makes those, and subway cars too).

Gulfstream, part of mammoth defense contractor General Dynamics, delivered its first G-500 in May to venture capitalist and long-time Gulfstream client Danny Pettit who has business interests in Europe and Australia. But for those adventurous capitalists whose business takes them no farther than London, Ontario, Rome, NY, or Melbourne, FL, business jets are becoming an efficient and affordable alternative to commercial airlines.

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PA S S I O N & A DV E N T U R E S

IF TIME IS GOLD THEN LUXURY IS the freedom to purse your passion

incgy in h t y r e v e ytisis a curreunxury r u x u l , telyto be. Isupply. L s a m i t l Uexpect it inishingcome thatsde,eiftinies the wiemited dipmosable ins us purpdoay and do l s the dis and give p every what we i ur lives e wake u onnects e. o eason w fe. It cto achiev â&#x20AC;&#x153;And, that period of time e u s r herish li e wish r that we have access to our u p o t m passion is a luxury.â&#x20AC;? c o what w o d e e r f e . t isotuhr passion y Unfortunately, most nevr u x u y L er even begin the pursuit of their passion. Even identifying the absence of

EXP adventures brings international leading explorers & guides like Eric Larsen who has dedicated his adult life to sharing his love for the outdoor world with others.

L

By Milosz Pierwola

uxury is the opportunity that we create for ourselves to enjoy passion unhindered and uninterrupte d. Passion is the value that we place on time. This is because time is limited and enjoying our passion serves the selfish purpose of permitting us to do exactly what we most ardently desire.

The more passionate we are, the more of this time we want and the more we are willing to work for it.

passion in our lives is a frustrating task because from youth it exists as a permanent longing that hums in the background and one that we become accustomed to as a permanent fixture in our lives.

However, to some of us this hum grows louder until it is screaming like a siren and the only thing we can focus on is satisfying its call.

In this search for our passion the risks that once stood in the way become secondary, silenced, and worth taking. And that is only the beginning; suddenly, the world is no longer a predetermined path of finite distances.

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It is as if the clouds part and sunshine beams down upon a colossal landscape for the first time; opportunity revealed before us is uncharted and imposing.

Passion calls upon the roused spirit of adventure that lay dormant inside us until that moment. The size of our lives comes into focus and for the first time we feel the crushing limits of mortality.

Surprisingly, this revelation of mortality is not sad but beautiful. It is an ever present truth in our lives, like gravity or air; however, becoming aware of it changes us forever.

Every breath takes on meaning, blandness becomes flavorful, and moments of freedom become cherished opportunities for introspection.

The world, in all its complexity, reveals beauty and authentic experiences take on a value beyond measure.

It is as if we momentarily experience the magnitude of infinity.

“Luxury reveals its true nature as the opportunity to fully engage in this pursuit.”

Newly alert and attentive, our spirit becomes the guide to the beacon, our passion, hovering just over the horizon.

The eternal longing feeling is finally satiated even if ever so briefly; and our long term plans become not just possible, but inevitable.

It is in this way that luxury earns its value and becomes worth its wait in gold. It is often misunderstood because to an outside observer it appears artificially only at the moment that passionate individuals experience the reward of their great silent effort.

But luxury is not such simple exclusive access; it is the ethereal satiation of a lifelong journey.

Luxury represents the accumulation of the incredible efforts to produce such an opportunity; luxury is the currency of time.

For those that follow the path that leads to passion, we no longer wander or backtrack. Our decisions are deliberate and final and we move forward in an unforgiving way. “The luxury of time allows us to pursue our adventure.”

>EXP ADVENTURES< Milosz Pierwola is the Founder and CEO of EXP Adventures. As an attorney in New York, he discovered a demand from professionals who sought to reach the world’s most incredible destinations. As a passionate lifetime adventurer, he received training under the world’s top expedition programs by elite adventurers. He has now organized and led multiple international expeditions across the globe and focuses on designing custom experiences to any destination. www.expadventures.com 347-974-3980

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GATEWAY TO

PARADISE RIO MAR BEACH RESORT & SPA IS THE CENTERPIECE OF PUERTO RICOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ECOLOGICAL RENAISSANCE

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF: RIO MAR BEACH RESORT & SPA

By Rodney Green

HE ISLAND OF PUERTO RICO IS RICH WITH BOTH SPANISH

colonial flavors and natural wonders. It is a 110-mile long and 35-mile wide Island of Enchantment, a no customs, no passport, no problem place where adventure reigns and the transition from everyday to once-in-a-life time experiences is seamless. At the center of it all is the Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa, a Wyndham Grand Resort.

Warm Latin culture is accented by spectacular beaches, tropical rainforests and ancient fortresses.

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Pick your pleasure

Palio’s pleasant surroundings

PUERTO RICO’S COASTAL REGIONS EACH BEAR DISTINCTIVE CHARACTERISTICS. The north is consid-

ered the hub, offering historic plazas, diverse venues, charming museums and more than 300 shops. The southern region is rich with 19th century culture and architecture, transporting visitors through time. The western region is ideal for those seeking solitude which can be found in the small coastal towns of Isabella and Aguadilla. The east is home to the Rio Mar Beach Resort and Spa as well as natural wonders like El Yunque National Rainforest, long stretches of coral reef, bio bays and pristine beaches.

Rio’s lobby makes a delightful first impression

R

io Mar Resort & Spa features 600 guest rooms, including 72 suites, all with private balconies and views of the rainforest, Atlantic Ocean or the Marbella Gardens. It also offers the largest ballroom in the Caribbean with 21,000 square feet of unobstructed space. Floor-to-ceiling windows in the rotunda of the lobby offer panoramic views of the ocean, creating the ideal space for a pre-function reception. Those feeling lucky can visit the resort’s Las Vegas-style casino. Play a hand of Caribbean Stud Poker or Blackjack, try your luck at the roulette table, or pull the handle on one of the progressive slots.

One of the crown jewels of the resort is the world renowned Mandara Spa. With over 25 unique relaxation techniques from around the world, the spa is a sanctuary where you can relax and discover the elixir of youth. I was lucky enough to experience one of their signature treatments, the Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow. This exfoliation ritual invigorates the body and brings vitality to the face. I was advised by a helpful therapist to try a deep tissue massage. The next day after a vigorous workout at the fitness center, I underwent this fantastic treatment, which I would do everyday if possible.

With 11 different restaurants and bars within minutes of the resort there are enough options to satisfy every palate.

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Mandara Spa Frangipani Spice

Marbella Mandara Spa oil and scrubs treatment

While my stay in Puerto Rico was brief, I left with the overwhelming feeling that there was

LAND LUBBERS • atv excursions through El Yunque National Rainforest

so much that I did not have the • Spa services at Mandara Spa chance to experience.

• LISTED ARE OTHER ADVENTURES ASSOCIATED WITH RIO MAR RESORT & SPA: AQUA - ADVENTURES • Bioluminescent nighttime kayaking • Catamaran sailing & snorkeling adventure trips

PHOTOS COURTESY OF: RIO MAR BEACH RESORT & SPA

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f course, a world class resort would not be complete without some challenging golf courses. Masterfully crafted into the spectacular settings of the Caribbean, the two 18-hole championship courses—designed by Tom and George Fazio and Greg Norman— make Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa one of the finest golf destinations in the region. Panoramic Atlantic views and still ocean breezes accompany golfers on the 6,782-yard Tom and George Fazio-designed Ocean

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Garden lawn • Pool-side cabanas with butler service • Poker, blackjack, roulette and slots at the resort casino • Peter Burwash International Tennis Center • Horseback riding along the banks

• Sailing on luxury yachts

of the Mameyes River

• Kayaks, waterbikes and

• Camuy Cave excursion

windsurfers

One particular stand-out was Palio, the resort’s signature restaurant featuring classic northern Italian specialties accompanied by and service gracious Country Mar Rio the at Room Grille the Also, surroundings. elegant Club features delectable steaks and seafood choices.

• Croquet on the Marbella

• Latin dance lessons

• Padi certification instruction

• “Club Iguana” children’s camp

• Day and night diving trips

• Daily iguana feedings

• Waverunner tours

• Basketball and volleyball courts

• Drive-in movies • Deep sea fishing • Swimming under waterfalls

Course. One of Puerto Rico’s most popular courses, its classic layout features four sets of tees, numerous bunkers and elevated greens. The signature 16th hole, an ocean-side par-3 playing 240 yards, always rates among the Caribbean’s best. As with all courses that have elevated greens, you should always remember to use one—or sometimes two—more clubs to allot for the greater distances associated with uphill shots. Such was definitely the case with the Ocean Course. The greens were a little grainy, which is typical of Bermuda greens but all in all, they putted smoothly. Unfortunately, I was not able to play the 16th due to afternoon showers abruptly ending my round after nine holes. Word to the wise: In the summer months, it is a good idea to get an early tee time since afternoon rains are common this time of year.

This course is known for its demanding play and challenges even the ‘big hitters.’

The Greg Norman-designed 6,945-yard River Course winds its way around the Mameyes River, with the

“Masterfully crafted into the spectacular settings of the Caribbean, the two 18-hole championship courses—designed by Tom and George Fazio and Greg Norman— make Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa one of the finest golf destinations in the region.”

top: Ocean Course’s 16th: beauty lovers beware bottom left & right: River Course’s 7th

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF: RIO MAR BEACH RESORT & SPA

Grille Room

El Yunque Rainforest as a breathtaking backdrop. With a meandering layout, Norman preserved the native foliage and let the natural terrain determine the placement of all holes. Of the two courses, I found the River Course to be the most challenging, and it just happens to be longer. Everyone is diferent, but I find there is something more challenging about having to hit your ball to just the right areas of the fairway in order to set up your second shot. You can blast away at your driver on the River Course, but be mindful that the risk may not always be worth the reward. Play long irons or fairway woods off the tee to position yourself for the best approach shot to these medium to large greens. One of the unexpected highlights of the rounds was the presence of dozens of iguanas lizards. While they may seem a bit scary, it’s obvious that these lizards are very comfortable around humans, as they casually stroll across the fairways and greens, seemingly oblivious to human presence. Being from Florida, I’m used to seeing alligators basking in the sun regularly, but alligators typically don’t venture too far away from the water’s edge.

Iguanas are true explorers and are to be found everywhere on the course. To watch one change colors right before your eyes is truly amazing.

At 35,000 square feet, the Rio Mar Clubhouse resembles an open-air hacienda. The stately facility is home to the Grille Room restaurant, the Iguana Pub and a fully-stocked golf shop with pro-line equipment, accessories and attire. Practice facilities include chipping and putting areas and a large driving range that can accommodate up to 50 golfers.

Camuy Cave

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El Yunque National Forest

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day off from golf can be spent lounging by the pool or on the beach, but several other options are also available. To satisfy my inner adventurer I chose the bioluminescent nighttime kayaking and ATV excursion through the rainforest. Puerto Rico is home to two of only seven bioluminescent bays in the world. By taking a nighttime kayak you can navigate a maze of dense mangroves into a secluded bay showcasing large concentrations of microscopic photosynthetic organisms called dinoflagellates which illuminate the water.

The ATV ride was equally riveting. I traveled through El Yunque, the 28,000-acre tropical rain forest, that is home to the endangered Puerto Rican parrot as well as 50 orchid varieties, 150 species of ferns and 240 species of trees. Be sure to bring your bathing suit as midway through the trail you can stop to take a refreshing dip in the Mameyes River. Any clothes you wear are sure to get very soiled as you trek through numerous mud puddles at full speed on your ATV. To book your next Rio Mar-velous vacation at Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa, call 1-888-4riomar or visit www.wyndham.com.

iCONNOiSSEUR

2015

TM

JOIN US FOR OUR EVENTS SERIES

FASHION & STYLE

Pronounced (kiv-ee-uk or kiv-ee-ut). it is the exquisitely soft downy undercoat the Muskox that begins to show and shed when the sunlight gradually emerges to pierce the Canadian Arctic’s winter darkness.

Qiviuk is a fiber that offers you a tactile experience when you feel it with your fingers. You have to touch it to believe it. It’s softer than cashmere and warmer than wool. Qiviuk is a clothing company based in Banff, Canada. A fashion house specializing in handcrafted garments and suits. Known for its muskox logo designs, the company had its first runway show for hand-knit wear in 2006. Its products are distributed worldwide through its own boutiques, and also via wholesale and private label projects with exclusive clients.

The most

Precious Suit

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on Earth

We spoke to the two men behind the Qiviuk brand: President Fernando Alvarez and Vice-President Sergio Mercado. There are a few reasons why this garment maker completes the perfect profile to create the most precious suits on earth.

Q: Are your garments made out of a natural fiber?

A: Yes completely, The natural environment in the Arctic is prevalent and we love the fact that our company supports an environmentally-sensitive plan that allows the muskox to thrive in their natural habitat, before and after the fiber is harvested by hand, in other words the products we make are completely natural.

Q: How do you get the Qiviuk fiber?

A: We have established a long lasting relationship with the natives Inuvialuit who work with us in picking up the underwool from the Muskox, an ancient sheep that thrives in t he Canadian High Arctic.

The company gives back to the producing community by promoting socio-economic benefits that travel to its members.

Q: Does your company specialize in handcrafted products and how are you trying to recover the almost lost art of knitting?

A: Qiviuk strives to recover the almost lost art of hand knitting reflected in amazing accessories such as the well known and best-selling scarfshawl called "two thousand hours" because it takes two weeks to make it using an ancient lace-knitting technique from Belgium. To reinforce our educational efforts we bring a community of knitters together to talk about it and also to learn new techniques.

Q: Why is Qiviuk a precious fiber?

A: Qiviuk is literally the most precious and rare fiber on earth because of its scarcity; the Muskox only yields approximately 8 pounds per year.

Q: How do you keep up with your demand?

A: Our limited production allows us only to maintain our exclusive live inventory in our boutiques but also we save a percentage for our exclusive private clientele.

Q: Today you are consistently producing the most precious suits in the world?

A: Qiviuk maintains its suit line with tailor-made suits; our reach for the most precious fibers also includes the precious Vicuna, which is sourced directly in the highlands of Peru.

Our Qiviuk suit is an investment; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s made from the finest and lightest fabric on earth. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entirely made by hand by the best tailors in the world.

Q: How long does it take to produce a Qiviuk suit?

A: It takes in excess of 80 hours to complete it, with over 5,000 individual stitches.

To get the most precious suit in the world visit or contact: Phone: 212.826.3388 - email: newyork@qiviuk.com Visit: Qiviuk Boutique: 40 East 58 St, Bet Park & Madison, NYC

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