However it is spelt it’s a beautiful place. It is the world’s largest waterfall and approximately 234 different cataracts pour into the Rio Iguazu. The falls flow between Argentina and Brazil and it is a must to see it from both sides
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I spent three days in the area, which wasn’t enough, as I needed more time to just relax. I organised a private tour just to take away the pressure, so at 9am I set out for Argentina. When I crossed the Argentinean border my passport wasn’t stamped, as I was a ‘day tripper’. I arrived at the National Park and boarded a truck (Iguazu Jungle Explorer) that took me through the jungle. There my guide explained some of the different flora and fauna, which are indigenous to the area.
Once in the falls, there were numerous paths and trails that took me to various viewing points; some were a little strenuous but it all added to the enjoyment. I took a train to the ‘Devils Throat’ where 14 falls combine into a 100-metre drop pounding down. If the weather is good, the force of the water creates a constant rainbow.
One of the funny things as Iguazu is on the border, it was difficult to remember when to speak Spanish or Portuguese, sometimes when purchasing souvenirs, quite often I said ‘obrgida’ instead of saying ‘gracias’, I suppose that happens quite a lot.
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| Favourite spots: |
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After the Jungle Tour, I took the most exhilarating boat ride I have ever done in my life. We sped up the river (kind of like shotover in New Zealand), initially the water was calm and free flowing, until we reached the falls, the surface became very choppy, at which point we slowed down and was briefed on what was going to happen next. We ended up under the falls and I was soaked - silly me forget to put my clothes into a plastic bag to keep them dry, but it was fine.
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| What's really great: |
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Brazillian Panoramic View
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The best thing was to explore the Brazilian side of the falls. This side gives a great panoramic shots and the tour doesn’t take too long. By using a catwalk, a winding footpath and a lift, I stood below the vast torrent of water that flowed from the Devil's Throat where the spray was so intense I can’t even take pictures. There are only two hotels within the park – Hotel Sheraton Internacional (Argentina) and Tropical das Catasrastas Hotel (Brazil); I chose the latter, because it offered free drinks to watch the sun go down, after which I took the bus back to my pick up point.
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| Sights: |
On day 3, I went to the Itaipu Dam, from my hotel it was a simple bus ride just past town. The Itaipu (which means singing rock) is the Southern Hemisphere and the world’s largest hydroelectric dam and the energy produced from the Paraná River is shared between Paraguay and Brazil. It accounts for 78% of Paraguay and 25% of Brazil’s total consumption and there are plans to have the 18 turbines expanded at a cost of over $200bn. As an introduction at the plant they showed a brief film explaining the construction of the dam and the use of the lake it created. It was only when I was driven along the dam that I could really see the magnitude of the construction.
The Parque das Avers bird park is set in 5 hectares of native subtropical forest, which allows photographers to get wonderful pictures of birds’ without any cages. With over 800 species to see, it was a nice way to spend the afternoon.
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| Accommodations: |
I stayed at the Hotel Colonial Iguacu, which was meant to be a 4 star hotel; I would say that the facilities and surroundings are 4-star, but the rooms are more like 3-star. The good thing about the hotel was the location - close to the Airport, maybe a 5 minutes drive and it was also relatively close the falls as well.
If I had a second chance I would stay at the Tropical das Catasrastas Hotel.
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I can’t remember the name of the restaurant I had dinner, outside of the hotel, but in Foz du Iguacu on Brazil Avenue had some nice restaurants; I was looking for a Churrascarias, which is a Brazilian barbecue. If you like lots meat they are fantastic and I washed it down with a Caipirinha –made with cachaca (white rum), lime, sugar and ice. Now that’s what I call a buzz.
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Foz du Iguacu from the Friendship Bridge
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… well maybe not a recommendation, but if you have a death wish, or you want to take your life into your own hands, nip across the border to Paraguay. Ciudad del Este – the City of the East has become a centre for counterfeiting, smuggling and trafficking of US dollars, arms and drugs etc.
The area is also called the 'Triangle' as it links three frontiers Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay together and it probably attract the worst if each country. I've been told when the Brazilian crime lords were pushed out of the shanties of Rio they made their way here.
The 400-yard ‘Friendship Bridge’ which links the two countries is packed with trucks, cars and motorbikes jammed full of goods bought or stolen in Brazil. It is quite customary to see people hauling up the boxes from the Paraná River below with the officials just looking on. Luckily my trip lasted all of two hours and I was very happy to see the back of Paraguay.
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Published on Wednesday November 3th, 2004
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Publish on Facebook
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Mon, Feb 11 2008 - 07:09 AM
 by krisek
| The pictures are great. It is great to see that you covered the falls from both sides! Thank you! |
Sun, Oct 23 2005 - 03:47 PM
by toribio
| YOUR ARE LUKY TRAVEL VERY MUCH. AND WRITE VERY GOOD |
Mon, Jan 10 2005 - 11:22 AM
 by nedkelly
| I was there a while back.. thought the place rocked antd your report truly does the place justice.. Congratulations!!! However everyones given you 5 stars so I know you will be quite safe and unaffended if I dont... my excuse... they wont let us give you 10 stars..heheheh so Im gona give you 1 star but thats only cos I thought its a great report and its too good for me to write one!!! yours in giggles Matt |
Sat, Nov 27 2004 - 11:09 PM
by fieryfox
Hi Amanda,
This report is very interesting, I enjoyed it very much. I think I'd like to visit Brazil at least once in my lifetime. Keep sharing those experiences with us. I personally look forward to reading them.
Cheers.
Farizan |
Sat, Nov 20 2004 - 07:13 AM
by britman
Hi Amanda,
What an enjoyable exhilarating report - such a great read and atmospherically illustrated.
Congratulations - keep travelling and bringing back these gems!
Cheers, Brit |
Wed, Nov 17 2004 - 08:36 AM
by bineba
Great report, great pictures.
Sabine |
Tue, Nov 16 2004 - 03:01 PM
by binmke
| Fantastic report Amanda...sounds like a real adventure. I have not been to South America yet but it sounds like a great time. Thanks for sharing. |
Mon, Nov 08 2004 - 12:08 AM
by picasso
| Amanda you had visited a heavenly part of our Land,the Lord has presented to us,and came out with a masterpiece! |
Fri, Nov 05 2004 - 09:25 PM
by gloriajames
| what an adventure!! good report! 5* |
Fri, Nov 05 2004 - 08:05 AM
by ravinderkumarsi
hii amanda
what a lovely report
well keep it up
ravi |
Thu, Nov 04 2004 - 01:21 PM
by cycleboy
Congratulations! This report gives very good stimulations for my visit of this place in February. I fear, that my report ca´n´t top this one. Keep on writing, Amanda
Happy travelling
Werner |
Thu, Nov 04 2004 - 04:33 AM
by downundergal
Great report, sound's like you took your life into your own hands nipping across to Paraguay.
My one one regret from I went to Sth America/Brazil was not going to see the Iguazzu Falls - next time maybe! |
Wed, Nov 03 2004 - 08:32 PM
by bootlegga
Wed, Nov 03 2004 - 06:03 PM
 by magsalex
Wed, Nov 03 2004 - 05:26 PM
by jenny2
| Misty, this sounds like a nice place, not sure about Paraguay. -Jenny- |
Wed, Nov 03 2004 - 04:44 PM
by bear495
Nicely done, Amanda. I would love to see more photos. Iguassu is one of my favorite places.
Russ
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