Iguazu Falls

Fred and I arrived in Buenos Aires after a very exhausting overnight bus from Cordoba. A massive storm passes over Cordoba as everyone was trying to board the bus. This caused a huge wave of chaos with wet and crabby passengers. The bus was similar to ones that we have taken in the past but there was no service. This means that we didn't get food, drinks, pillows or blankets. After a few hours we were able to fall asleep. A lady from the upper level was unhappy about how cold the bus was and decided to make a scene around 2:30am. She then came down to our level and fought with the drivers. We thought that she would settle in once she occupied the vacant seat ahead of us but she continue to cry and rush around all night. This made for a long night! The saving grace was that our bus arrived in Buenos Aires 90 minutes early! The bus was suppose to stop along the way but no passengers had bought tickets. What luck!

We arrived to a bustling city even though it was only 6:30am. We quickly jumped on the subway and went searching for our hostel. After exiting at our station, finding the main road and walking the wrong way for 20 minutes we arrived at Puerto Limon. We were not able to check in right away, as excepted due to our early arrival, so we headed out for coffee. We found a great local spot that served a nice breakfast set. For about $3.00 we each got coffee with milk and three croissants. We then walked back to the hostel and we able to check into our room. After a long nap we headed out to explore. We had just a day and a half before our flight to Puerto Iguazu. We decided that it was easiest and cheapest to take a round trip flight from Buenos Aires. We spent the next day preparing to head to the falls!

On Wednesday we woke up, left some of our luggage at the hostel and headed to the airport. We booked our tickets out of the domestic terminal so we only had a 20 minute journey from the hostel. We checked in and waited to take off! The flight went smoothly with only a few minor turbulent moments. Once we landed to bought tickets on a shuttle bus to the city. We were dropped off right at our hostel, Stop Hostel. We arrived at the hostel around 6:30pm and spent the night walking around the small city. We expected the area to have more poverty and be smaller and we were right. The streets were lined with tourist shops and clothing stores but there were children everywhere with no shoes and begging for food and money. This was something that we have not experiences since we left Thailand. It was hard to sit outside and eat a pizza with children begging for food. After our first night, we decided not to sit outside again. We then walked to a market to buy lunch supplies for our day in the nation park.

Thursday morning came quickly and we were ready to see Iguazu Falls. We shared a taxi with a girl from Japan and entered the park when it opened at 8:00am. We quickly jumped on the train that goes around the park and headed to Devil's Throat. This is the main attraction in the park. It is a huge area where numerous falls meet and plummet into the river. This is also the point where you can see Brazil. It is very common for people to travel to both the Argentina and Brazil sides of the falls but it is difficult for Americans to get a Brazil visa. We spent the day only on Argentina's side. To get to Devil's Throat you have to walk on this metal bridge structure for 1900 meters on top of the water. I am very afraid of bridges so this was a long walk for me! Once we arrived at the area it was magical! You cannot image how large the falls truly are. You could see, feel and hear the water rushing all around you! Fred took some videos so I will post them on the blog. After exploring the area we went off on the Grand Adventure. This consisted of a ride in a large jeep along a trail in the jungle. We were able to see some parrots, lizards and other small wildlife. We were hoping to see some of the wild jaguars but we knew the chances would be slim to none. After exiting the jeep we took a small trail to the edge of the river. We then boarded a large boat for our river section of the exploration. We cruised along the river and saw dozens of waterfalls. After we went over the rapids, and Fred took a HUGE wave in the face, we were told to put our cameras away. We were all provided with industrial size and strength plastic bags. Once everything was secured we headed under the falls! We went under at least three different waterfalls and we were soaked to the bone. It was so fun to be under the falls even though we couldn't see anything. The water was so powerful that you had to keep your head down or it would get pushed down. After about 20 minutes we were back on dry land. We then walked around and ate our sandwiches as we tried to dry off. We spent the afternoon walking along the tops of the waterfalls. We were able to see at least 15 different falls from above as well as Devil's Throat in the distance. We even spotted a double rainbow at one of the last falls. We then headed back to our hostel. Originally we were unsure if we wanted to spend the money to get to Iguazu Falls. We are now so thankful that we did. The falls are something that you have to see to be able to fully experience. Iguazu Falls has been a highlight of our trip!



Devil's Throat


Devils's Throat











The boat for the Grand Adventure





Rapids








After the Grand Adventure: soaking wet


Above the falls


Above the falls


We spent Friday relaxing at the hostel and buying a few gifts in the city. On Saturday we flew back to Buenos Aires. We are now patiently awaiting Christmas and our visitors!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Puerto Iguazu, Argentina