Cataratas del Iguazu

Iguazu falls from Argentina (above) and Brazil (below)

[28- 30 de Enero, 2014]
Iguazu Falls is on the border between Brazil and Argentina. I didn't know much about the falls before visiting other than that people compare it with Victoria Falls in Africa. Having had the opportunity to visit Victoria Falls with my aunt and cousin, I knew that comparison was saying a lot. Not usually a fan of waterfall hikes, I couldn't wait to see another huge falls. Iguazu actually means big water to the natives- I was ready.

The better park logo was definitely Brazil

To visit Iguazu you can visit both the Brazilian side and/or the Argentinian side. We had scheduled a few days in the area and already went through the painful American process of getting Brazilian visas so we visited both. Eli did his homework and learned that to really build excitement you want to start in Brazil. So off to Foz do Iguaçu we went.

 STAMP. One border crossing down.

First sight of the falls

From the Brazilian side you look out across the river to most of the waterfalls. Immediately your reaction is, yup, that's a lot of waterfalls!

Because there are two levels of waterfalls they have the Spanish (and Portuguese) word for cascading falls instead of just, waterfall. It is cataratas. 

Ok walking along the nature trails on the Brazilian side you come across a few different vantage points of the same spectacular waterfalls over in Argentina and you take lots of pictures. Its a beautiful panoramic and well worth the trip to the Brazilian side. Then all of a sudden you round a corner and you see nothing but white mist and a million MORE waterfalls. What?! What were we just looking at? This is the Devil's throat of Iguazu Falls and all of a sudden you realize you haven't even seen even half of it yet. This park was going to get good- great job Brazil!

Oh hello a gazllion gallons of flowing water

Most of the falls are on the Argentinian side but there is a horseshoe falls called the Devil's Throat which extends to the Brazilian side. In the park there are walkways to take you right up next to and on top of the falls. I loved how close you could get to that initial drop of the waterfall. The sound and velocity of the water was incredible.

The Brazilian park ends with a riverside cafe and a view back down over the falls. Not knowing what the falls looked like, this park did a great job building excitement. Many people prefer the Argentinian side and most Americans probably don't or can't visit the Brazilian side due to visa issues, time or money, but I absolutely loved the Devil's Throat and the last part of the park. I didn't know how much  more impressed I could be on the other side.

View of Iguazu Falls from Brazilian Side

Day #2, back in Argentina (STAMP), we got up early and went to the Parque Nacional Iguazu.

This time we weren't joking around.

Eli hit the nail on the head with this decision

On our way to the first lookout, we met some fearless cousins of the raccoon, the coatimundi.

The first view in Argentina is amazing. Waterfalls as far as you can see. This picture really doesn't do its justice.

This next picture is a little better. And remember, this is the part of the falls which, when we saw it from Brazil, we thought was all of Iguazu but we were very much mistaken. Argentina didn't disappoint in it's build up either.

The Devil's Throat from the Argentinian side:

The walkways bring you right out over the horseshoe shaped falls.

I wouldn't want to be the geotechnical engineer who said this was safe

 

If this was a cartoon movie, Eli's sidekick Ginger would have just safely returned from her adventurous but necessary journey into the heart of the Throat looking for her lost caterpillar friend.

The Devil's Throat from the bridge:

Ok Nikki, how does this rainbow compare to Victoria Falls?!

 

We made it! Note the rope to Eli's right, that is where the professional photos are taken. Haha we saved that penny.

And finally, another shot low down on the Argentinian side:

Day #3:
Before we left the area we joined a full day excursion to visit Itaipu Dam and the Bird Park.

Just over the Brazilian border (STAMP) there is a bird sanctuary and park. The Parque Das Aves is full of native, exotic birds and most of them are in enclosures you can enter.

 

Toucan!

 

Eli's mom had recommended this park to us and we were both really glad she had. I loved watching the toucans hop around in front of us while we took pictures. They were two feet away- you had no idea how much detail they have in their colors and their beaks until you are up close and personal with them. The whole morning was a treat.

After the bird park our tour took us to Paraguay! (STAMP- although not really, just an unmonitored border crossing.) We went to Ciudad del Este, a large city in Paraguay to go shopping as our 'visit' to Paraguay. Eli loves how they took us here at about 3 in the afternoon, gave us an hour and a half to wonder around the markets and malls, and all of the stores promptly closed at 3:30.

Paraguay

Before we got off our tour bus, the guide, who only spoke spanish, gave us very specific directions as to where to go and what to do while in town. This city isn't exactly the safest place (though Mom and Dad don't worry, we were in the international tourist district with loads of other Brazilian and Argentinian tourists buying electronics and other cheap stuff.) Trouble is, Eli and I don't understand a lot of Argentinian spanish. We looked at each other at the end and said, ok all I understood was Peligroso- which means dangerous. Should we really get out of this bus?! Some spanglish conversation with the tour guide later, we felt more comfortable that his instruction was to avoid crossing a big street because it was dangerous and the rest should be safe. We think. We got off anyway and stuck to a 2 block perimeter of the bus, just in case.

Local buses in Paraguay

Cluster of wires on telephone pole

Ciudad del Este

Our visit to Paraguay was interesting. Everything was closed within a half hour. The shop keepers were somewhat aggressive in their negotiating. One street salesman followed Eli around after he asked the price of an electric shaver and the man wouldn't give up, even waited for us outside of a store. The main malls had made up woman greeting you at every counter. They looked fake and uncomfortable in their high heels and dresses. It was all a bit weird.

This is one of those times where I'm really happy I have a travel partner. I took out my camera at one point and Eli immediately shot me a look. "What are you doing?!", K- "Taking a photo", E-"I don't think that's a good idea." Putting away my $500 camera I knew Eli was right. Obviously not the end of the world if you take some pictures, but you don't want to be a target. And if you are in a place where you are just not sure what would happen, that's reason enough to play it safe.

Back next to the mini-bus we posed for a few photos.

Finally our tour wrapped up with a trip to the Itaipu Dam between Paraguay and Brazil. It is one of the largest dams in the world and was very impressive to go visit. We wished there was more information available in English, but the park in Paraguay was very well staffed, organized and efficient.

Back through Brazil (STAMP) and Argentina (STAMP) we returned to our safe, bug filled, jungle hostel in the sleepy little town of Puerto Iguazu.