4-April-2012 Puerta Iguazu, Argentina
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| This bird is very common around the park and already used to human activity. |
The highlight of our Argentinian visit is the Iguazu Falls. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site – it is not to be missed. The Iguazu River that feeds the falls divides Argentina and Brazil.
Our tour group started by a short truck ride to take us closer to where we picked-up a Jet Boat that would take us right at the mouth of the falls. We were told that we can take photos up to a certain point whilst in the boat – after which we need to store all our non-waterproof cameras in a special container. Then we all got wet as the boat took us as close as it can to the waterfall. Now I can claim to have taken a shower with 40 people – most of them are strangers to me.
This is followed by climbing up stairs into an awaiting truck that took us through the jungle while a guide explains the flora and fauna in Spanish and English. Spanish is spoken first and because we are moving in a truck, by the time the guide speaks in English the specimen is long pass.
This is followed by a lot of walking and picture taking. This is my attempt to capture a panorama of the falls at the Argentinian side.
Iguazu Falls
But Jeanne has a better one 🙂
Iguazu Falls
After a big lunch, we took a train to the Garganta del Diablo – this is a viewing site at the top of the falls – looking down as roaring water disperses into mist forming the heaviest cloud imaginable. It is awesome – but the site is so popular, people were jockeying for photo vantage points. We took lots of photos but I know that there is no way to capture the overwhelming feeling of witnessing a force of nature to the scale of this waterfall. It is something you have to feel and see to fully appreciate.
Garganta del Diablo
Iguazu Park in Missiones, Argentina
No trip goes without drama – as I was relaxing next to the pool after the day’s events, Betty and Rene announced that they received a call from the local travel agent saying that our flight to Rio has been moved in the morning. This means that our scheduled tour to the Brazilian side of the Iguazu Falls cannot happen.
We were looking forward to the Brazilian part of the tour, a number of us will be taking a 45-minute helicopter ride to view the falls. It has been billed the helicopter ride second only to the Grand Canyon Tour. Brazil has only 20% of this world heritage park, the rest belongs to Argentina. However, Brazil, as it’s been told, has the best views. The Wikipedia described the visit to the park as something that is best experienced from both borders. It is succinctly described as: The Brazilians experience the falls whilst the Argentinians live it.
I felt like being doused with cold water when I learned that the Brazilian tour has been cancelled. We frantically called the agent in Sydney to complain but conventional knowledge tells me that our Brazilian Iguazu Falls experience will not happen.
One Last One - I Promise
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