December 14 – 16, 2005
Iguazzu Falls, Argentina (most northern tip)
By this point Josh and I had covered almost all four corners of Argentina in ten days. A little insane to do so much in such a short amount of time but we’re young and fit so why not? Also, Josh’s boss would only give him four weeks off from work :):):) and we still needed time for the safari, more wine tasting and a deserving respite on the beach.
Arriving in Iguazzu felt like landing in Disneyland. A welcoming committee of beautiful bright yellow butterflies showed us the way to our hotel. (I’m always excited to follow a butterfly. Secretly, I think my friend Ray O’Neal has a playful hand in the adventure.) The land looked lush and tropical and not much else in the way of development. Our hotel was selected for its location. Behind registration a wall of ceiling-to-floor windows for center orchestra views of the mist and tip of the falls. We put our bags in the room, sprawled out our month’s worth of stuff as we did in each hotel every 2-3 days and headed for the falls.
It was HOT, HOT, HOT. We noticed everyone coming from the lower viewing point (this was called Inferior but had nothing to do with the impressiveness of the gush) was soaking wet so we went that way. Amusement parks aren’t my thing and I’m not into water rides or roller coasters but when it’s 100% humidity and too hot to sit on a rock I’m thrilled to board a boat that takes me towards the mouth of a bone crushing waterfall. There isn’t anything I can say to describe the falls to do them justice. Josh grew up in Venezuela, home to Angel Falls the tallest waterfalls in the world, and said Iguazzu Falls are more impressive. The width and magnitude of water that pours over is an amazing site.
There’s another perspective of Iguazzu Falls in Iguazzu National Park, Brazil, just over the border. The drive and some red tape that our driver handled for us took less than one hour. I liked the view from Argentina better but since you’re there it’s worth the trip. If we hadn’t gone I wouldn’t have seen the methods of sterilization one has to go through when driving across the border. When you’re coming from Brazil into Argentina you have to step on a soapy foam pad. From Argentina into Brazil the car drives through a soapy tire bath. Whatever. Click on Iguazzu Falls pictures to the right of this posting.
Next up, 9-day safari in Botswana
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