Before I start, I wonder how many of you recognized a continuity editing issue in my post from yesterday (November 4)? I messed up and realized it after I had published it.
We were off and touring early again this morning, and yes, the ubiquitous zig-zagging to pick up other passengers. Then it was off to the border with Brazil.
Our guide was able to do some of the paperwork for us, but then we had to each go through customs ourselves. I was actually happy to do that because so few countries are stamping passports any more and this was an opportunity to get a new one. They are building a huge new building at the border on the Brazil side, and they said tourism to the area has increased a lot in recent years.
By the way, Iguazu Falls was named “Big Waters” by the indigenous groups who lived in the area before the Europeans discovered the falls in 1541. Spanish Conquistador Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca was the first European to record its existence.
The Park on the Brazil side is larger in size than the one of the Argentina side and it’s also called Iguazu National Park. There is apparently more variety of wildlife in this park and I actually saw signs cautioning drivers about potential jaguar crossings! The park on the Brazil side also differs in that it has only one 1.5 km one-way trail and the bus was able to drop us off right at the start of the trail after we stopped briefly at the park entrance.
Right off the bus we could see what they said about the panoramic view from Brazil of the falls on the Argentine side. From the first viewing balcony we could see a long curtain of falls across the gorge on the Argentina side.
As we walked along the trail the different angles the river and walkway took allowed us different views and Kodak moments. One prime spot had a line up of people waiting to take selfies and group shots with the perfect background. It took us a while to get to the front of the line, but we persevered. After all, not likely to be in the neighbourhood again.
Near the end of the trail, we put our handy-dandy cheap pocket-ponchos on because there is a walkway with a bridge to a balcony that goes way out on to the first level of the Devil’s Throat Falls. It’s hard to explain but hope you can see what I mean from the photos and videos. It allows an immersive experience in the Devil’s Throat; the mist, the wind, and the roar of the water – without a boat. Pictures were hard to take because of all the mist, but being present was the best thing to do anyway. It was such an exhilarating experience. Even with the poncho we got soaked to the skin but it was OK.
Coming back over the bridge and back to land, we took a glass-walled panoramic elevator up about a 100 feet (during which we couldn’t see anything since we were at the back of the elevator) to a plaza to wait for the group and try to dry out somewhat while dodging the ubiquitous Coatis.
It is time to sadly say good bye to Iguazu, and our next stop was the airport for our flight to Rio. Upon arrival at the airport we found once again that we were not all on the same flight and we had several hours to wait for our later flight. I’m sure I’ve spent more time in airports on this trip than any other location. But we made the flight to Rio and to our hotel just two blocks from the famous Copacabana Beach. We couldn’t see much on our trip from the airport to the hotel as it was pitch black, but once we got closer to our hotel we could tell it was a happening place.
Another great day of adventure and adventure in travel.
Lois' Adventures 