The Iguazu Falls

After an 11 hour journey in the truck, 786 km south of Bonito and across a time zone, we arrived in Foz do Iguacu, the Brazilian side of easily the worlds largest waterfalls - The Iguazu Falls. They form the border between three countries, Brazil, Argentina and a slightly further up the river, Paraguay.

Not surprisingly, we were greeted by a massive storm which hampered our tent setting up process but once that was done it was time for dinner and a few beers at a show down the road called the ´Refain Show´. It started off quite bizarrely but once our bellies were full and a few glasses of wine down, we were far more receptive to the flamboyant stage show and we started enjoying ourselves.

The next day was brilliant. First we explored the Parque das Aves (Bird Park) where we got to view toucans, macaws, conures, hummingbirds, butterflies and a whole host of other birds very close up. From their we explored the Brazilian side of the falls, as we´re told, the better side for panoramic views of the 275 different waterfalls. And we weren´t dissappointed. For me this is probably the most impressive natural phenomenon I´ve seen. It is truly epic. The path takes you along the length of the falls and their are plenty of vistas and view points from which to drink the whole view in. And you need them, there is that much to see. Along the foresty path there is so much wildlife too, lizards, legouaans, coati (raccoon-like animal which is actually a pest), eagles, vultures and butterflies to name a few.



A few days later we crossed the border into Argentina where we got to experience the falls from the other side. From Brazil you ´see` it but from Argentina you ´feel´ it. We experienced the upper and lower paths which take you perilously close to the edge of the different falls. It really is crazy how you get to view them so close up. Later on we took a speed boat ride which gives you the opportunity to experience the falls from a water perspective. Again this was great and apparently I was the only one poeping myself when we were driven within inches of being obliterated by two different waterfalls.

To end off our trip of the Argentinian side of the falls we had to visit ´Gargant del Diablo´ - The Devils Throat, the biggest of all 275 falls where over a million litres of water falls over the precipice per second. Again I was blown away by how close you get it, and how low the railings were! It was like an adventure ride at a theme park: the water sprays and lurches sporadically and occasionally you get completely soaked and everyone screams and hoots: unbelievable and something i will never forget.