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No Confirmed Cases of Swine Flu in Peru, as of April 29, 2009

The swine influenza A (H1N1) virus, or swine flu, that has infected humans in the United States, Mexico and 5 other countries, has not surfaced in Peru or any other country in South America as of April 29, 2009 according to the World Health Organization. The current alert level for swine flu was raised by the World Health Organization on April 27, to phase 4, two levels below the threshold of a pandemic outbreak.

On April 28, 2009, The Center for Disease Control in the United States of America issued an advisory to avoid “non-essential travel to Mexico” because of the health risks from swine flu.

Today, April 29, 2009, Living in Peru quotes Peru’s Minister of Health, Óscar Ugarte, concerning swine flu, “Thankfully in all the cases that have been evaluated – beginning with the Peruvian citizen believed to have been infected as well as three others that appeared to be infected and one that came in on a flight this morning – all have been found to be negative,” said the health minister.

He affirmed the virus had not reached Peru and it was necessary to continue taking the necessary precautions.

“There is no virus, no transmission, therefore there are no cases in the country and we must maintain the precautionary measures that have been established,” said Ugarte.

No Confirmed Cases of Swine Flu in Peru

Bill Grimes, Dawn on the Amazon

An update of this story with new information can be read at; No Confirmed Cases of Swine Flu in Peru.

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My Favorite Restaurants in Iquitos Peru, Updated April 26, 2009

Nearly every day someone asks me to recommend a restaurant in Iquitos Peru. I direct them to an article I wrote on September 12, 2008, Where Will You Eat in Iquitos Peru? It is a list of my favorite restaurants in Iquitos Peru, directions on how to get to them, what I usually order, and how much it costs. Today, April 26, 2009, I published an update to that article with the current prices, new recommendations, and additional information in the reviews.

The newly updated version of Where Will You Eat in Iquitos Peru, is the most valuable resource about the restaurants of Iquitos Peru on the internet today, listing 16 restaurants with meals priced from $1 to $12. I am sure you will be able to choose the best meal within your budget from the recommendations in that article.

Follow this link to the updated version of the list of my favorite restaurants in Iquitos Peru, Where Will You Eat in Iquitos Peru? and choose the restaurant that is best for you.

My Favorite Restaurants in Iquitos Peru, updated April 26, 2009

Bill Grimes, Dawn on the Amazon

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Hotels of Iquitos Peru; Reviews, Rates, Recommendations, Updated April 25, 2009

Nearly every day someone asks me about recommendations for the hotels of Iquitos Peru. I direct them to a popular article I wrote on May 18, 2008, titled, Hotels of Iquitos Peru; Reviews, Rates, Recommendations. Today, April 25, 2009, I published an update to that article with current rates, additional information in the reviews, and new recommendations.

The newly updated version of Hotels of Iquitos Peru; Reviews, Rates, Recommendation, is the most valuable resource on the hotels of Iquitos Peru, on the internet today, listing 14 of the best hotels in their price range, from $4 to $350 per night. I am sure you will be able to choose the best hotel for you in Iquitos Peru from the recommendations in that article.

Follow this link to the updated version of, Hotels of Iquitos Peru; Reviews, Rates, Recommendations, and choose the hotel that is best for you.

If you would like for me to make the reservation for you send me an email from my Contact Page.

Hotels of Iquitos Peru; Reviews, Rates, Recommendations, Updated April 25, 2009

Bill Grimes, Dawn on the Amazon

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Try One of My Favorite Restaurants in Iquitos Peru, El Mijano

If you like fresh fish, you will enjoy eating at El Mijano

One of the best fish I ever ate in a restaurant was the Steamed Peacock Bass, or Sudado de Tucunaré at El Mijano, Iquitos Peru. The cost was $6 including my Inca Cola. The peacock bass was huge, attractively served in a special large fish shaped plate, floating in a juicy sauce with sweet peppers and it tasted delicious.

Another perfect fish dish was the Patarashca de Pescado for $7.00 including drink.

The Ceviche is fresh for $6.50 including drink.

Marmelita being happy with her fresh ceviche

The cecina was too salty, and the Chicharron de Pescado is better at the Bucanero and other places.

El Mijano is located on Amazonas # 829-A, Punchana, Iquitos Peru, phone# 250346. The proprietors are Ronald Monsalves and Goldi Chavez, and as you can see from the photos, and from my review, they run a great place. Write down the address and take a moto-carro for S/2 soles.

El Mijano has a dozen waitresses serving plates from several cooks. The decor is beautiful, featuring a rock garden with plants, and a pool with several paiche swimming. Now that is fresh fish. El Mijano features live music on Saturday and Sunday. The restrooms have soap and paper towels and everything is clean and nice.  Let me know what you think of your meal, and El Mijano in the comments.

Paiche swimming in the pool at El Mijano, fresh fish

My friends Dave and Wilma Volkmann recommended this restaurant to me and now I am passing it on to you. I am adding El Mijano to the list of My Favorite Restaurants in Iquitos Peru. If you have a favorite restaurant that is not on my list, let me know about it and I will give it a try. Thanks.

Try One of My Favorite Restaurants in Iquitos Peru, El Mijano

Bill Grimes, is the president of Dawn on the Amazon Tours and Cruises.

To learn more about my favorite restaurants in Iquitos Peru click and follow these links;

Where Will You Eat in Iquitos Peru?

La Querencia Parrillada, for Great Steak in Iquitos Peru

Kikiriki for Chicken in Iquitos Peru

A Suggestion for Lunch

A Suggestion for Supper

Great Food from the River, Great View of the River, the Bucanero, Iquitos Peru

The New La Tullpa Added To Favorite Restaurant List

Long Fung, Our Favorite Chinese Restaurant in Iquitos

Antica, Our Favorite Pizza and Pasta In Iquitos

Kikiriki, Cock-a-doodle-do, In Spanish, Get It?

Meet Us At La Noche, One Of My Favorite Restaurants In Iquitos Peru

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A guest post by Gart van Gennip

ikitos.com introduces Salva la Selva: The first battery recycling program in Iquitos

Recycle your batteries at ikitos.com

Salva la Selva,

It simply means: Save the Rainforest. The people at ikitos.com, the virtual community of Iquitos, understand that saving the rainforest is a daunting task, but that every journey starts with the first step. Salva la Selva is just a small step in the right direction, but people who hear about it, are excited about how simple this concept really is. How do you recycle batteries in the middle of the Amazon rainforest?

Gart van Gennip, owner of ikitos.com, was very concerned when he found out that batteries just get tossed in the garbage, dumped on the streets and eventually end up in the environment and in the river:

“Used batteries are toxic and should be treated as toxic waste. There is still a lot of ignorance about how damaging batteries really are. The chemicals seeping from old batteries pollute the soil and the water and eventually end up in the food chain”.

So how do you recycle batteries in Iquitos?

“You don’t!” says Gart. Excuse me?

“Knowing what I know about the toxicity of used batteries, I could never get myself to throw them away. I even pick up batteries I find on the street. So eventually I accumulated several pounds of them. I took them back to my own country, where there is a good recycling program and left them there.

When I started the ikitos.com website, it occurred to me that it was a great way to promote this idea: Encourage the local population to save their batteries and bring them to us, and ask visitors to come and pick up a handful, to take back to their own countries, where there are recycling programs.”

So there you have it: Salva la Selva may not kick a dent in a pack of butter just yet, but it’s a start. It will help raise awareness about the necessity to protect the environment and it provides a simple way to prevent the contents of your old batteries from ending up on somebody’s plate.

If you are interested in supporting this initiative by picking up a small portion of old batteries and taking them with you when you leave Iquitos, you can check out Gart’s website www.ikitos.com and visit him at the Amazon Explorers Club Lounge, Calle Nauta 101, at the corner of the Boulevard.

Save the Rainforest, Salva la Selva, please recycle your batteries

Save the Rainforest: The First Battery Recycling Program in Iquitos Peru

Guest post by Gart van Gennip

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