Waterfalls
Trip Start
Jun 26, 2006
1
116
119
Trip End
Feb 28, 2007
Puerto iguazu,
Argentina
Monday, February 12, 2007
Then we went off to find a bank...and some money....the first was shut....the second was the other end of town, eventually got some money then headed to the bus station. We needed to book a bus to Rio...and were praying they werent all booked up! Went to first company....looked like the best....asked for tickets and she casually replied sorry next bus is the 20th! It was the 12th!!! We were gobsmacked and a little worried. The way you said it though you would think it was tomorrow...so we left...and went to the next....didnt look like we had too many options left! The next actually had seats available...well about 3 actually! So we hastily booked em. Wasnt idea cos we had to get to Foz in Brazil on our own....but didnt look like we had much options if we wanted to get to Rio in time for the carnaval! Booked em and tried to pay...except they were so bloody expensive...we didnt even have enough money and poor old Neil had to trek all the way to the bank again!!! By this point we were both very hot and sweaty but we had our tickets for Rio....just needed to find out about how to get to falls tomorrow, then we could go and enjoy the pool. Took ages to find out that buses went about every 5 mins and you could turn up 5 mins before. Oh well....did have an interesting conversation with a couple of americans....he was clearly very well travelled and knew every place we had travelled...was kinda freaky!
Eventually got back to the hostal....but it was late and the sun was nearly setting, still we jumped in the pool....the water was lovely and warm....and it was fun....was no sun left to sunbathe in when we got out....so decided to head off to find beer and food. Had no idea where, as there were a serious lack of places!
Found a cool street with quite a few restaurants on it....decided on the nicer looking one...thought we deserved a treat!! Was a lovely little place, we got a table for two by the window...had amazing steak....and the best service in Argentina without a doubt!! They were all falling over to wait on us!! A lovely way to end the day.
The next day after a pleasant breaky in hostal, we headed out to find the famous falls. We walked to bus station...was already fairly hot...but some cloud which was good. Got bus right away and were there before we knew it. Decided to head straight for furtherest point, cause it seemed like a good idea. Unfortunately it must have also seemed like a good idea to everyone else! The Argentinian side is very well set up...it has a little train that runs to all the look out points. We got the first train no probs....but then had to change trains and the queue was horrendous....still we decided to brave it....cause i figured it would be busy all day. Eventually got a train....with 6 million tour groups and their stupid little passes round the neck and tour guides with sticks, umbrellas or some other stupid object. The train ride was pretty uneventful....but was worth it....we then walked along a very well made borad walk....for quite a long way.Was beautiful...only problem was the number of people, and the annoying folks who have to block the way to take their pictures. Still we tried not to let it bother us! Our first glimpse of the main fall was pretty amazing....but when you get close its breathtaking!
It just drops away in a huge wide ark....the bottom shrouded in mist. Its more impressive than Niagara...i think because of the area around it. Its set in jungle for a start....but its also cause its like a huge exspanse of water....like fields...which flows off the edge at every available point. Very hard to describe...but definately one of the most beautiful places ive ever been!
We took our photos....got wet and fought for a spot on the edge....it was very busy!!
We then wandered back.....got an ice cream while we waited for the train back to the other falls. Fortunately the queue wasnt quite as bad as earlier, but we still had to wait awhile! We then did all the other trails....seeing more amazing waterfalls.....the best bit being the bit where you could see both the main waterfalls together...you aint gonna get that view from Brazil! We even saw lots of wildlife....monkeys in the trees....masses of Coati´s running around (they are real cute), millions of butterflies....hundreds of wasps and god knows what else...you dont need to go deep into the jungle to see stuff!!!!! Very soon we had taken all the pics we could take...and seen everything you could see....so it was time to go find the swimming pool! It is an amazing place to visit....but when you seen it, you seen it!
Headed back and jumped in the pool before it was too late again!! Had an enjoyable time messing around....i like swimming pools, should be more of em! Then we headed off to find beer.....
Found a bar that had seats on the street...but no one seemed to want to serve us...it really does seem to be the argentinian way! Eventually got the biggest bottle of Heineken in the world ever....which we enjoyed while planning our future...well dreaming anyway!
Then we went to find food....i fancied pizza....so we headed to an italian....and listened to the band play outside....and the mafia eating on the next table...while we enjoyed yummy pizza and wine! Iguaza is cool!
Unfortunately we had to leave for Brazil...and Rio our last destiantion today. The end is now very close....i really never thought this point would come.....but it has!
We had time for breakie before leaving. We had ordered a taxi....yes a taxi to cross the border - to Brazil please!! It was the easiest way to do it...and not that expensive...if a little odd! The taxi didnt arrive however, and Neil was getting worried....so the hostal owner got us another one....off to Brazil then. Well no, we then had to meet another car, cause the driver of the car was a kid and it wasnt his car so he couldnt cross the border! Turns out the new driver of our taxi was his dad and the real owner of the car! The kid had to drive a minivan...didnt look like he had a clue how! Was real easy to cross the border....didnt even have to get out the car leaving Argentina....and Brazil was easy too....were there in no time....even he if did exceed the speed limit quite considerably! Arrived at bus station....and waited for our bus....it prob was the worst bus we had seen in a long time, and annoyingly it was the most expensive....but needs must! We all piled on....was smelly and old....and very wobbly!! We stopped a couple of times for food....had no idea what the hell was going on on both occasions....didnt tell us anything...and it was all buffet things...something popular here it seems. Bus driver drove through check point and had to turn round and go back...which delayed us quite a lot...and was trying to make up time the whole way. There were actually loads of checkpoint....not sure why they so paranoid but hey! Nearly left people after he stopped for breakie, cos he suddenly decided he wanted to go....and noone knew!! Was a bloody long journey....about 25 hours in total....but at least the scenery was interesting again....with lots of greenery...and stuff to look at!!!!
