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Well, I'm actually in BA not Puerto Iguazu in that 10 hour gap between buses, looking out on a glorious day and thinking this is a good time to travel having read all your entrries about high winds, rain, snow even. Here for me the problem is humidity- a different kind of rain as it comes from within!! I actually owe BA an apology- I thought it was hot and sweaty/humid here. Err no, not compared to Iguazu
So, Los Cataratas de Iguazu have come and gone. The guide book describes how to see them. First the upper circuit, then the lower and finally the Grande del Diablo. So this is what I did. To be honest I wouldn't say they're spectacular. The upper walk is easy with lovely views along around 1km of falls from immediately above. You get some sound and spray but no real sense of the falls. Then you do the lower walk where you're much more up close and personal. This is much nicer, more real, more spray, more noise. Then you go to the Grande falls. And this is when it all clicks. The sheer size in height and width of the falls are truly awe inspiring. After failing to take any photo's that will do them justice I took some videos. Then stared. Into the water, the spray, the sun, the ever changing vista of pure power and beauty, of grace and colour, of height and depth. It's like an open fire, ever changing and completely entrancing. Except here the size makes it SO much more. And then there's the sound. And the spray. And the rainbows. You're almost a part of the whole thing. Apart from the crowds!!! But even then you lose them as you lose yourself in the waters. No I wouldn't say they're spectacular as they are so much more than that!! And to be my usual slightly unusual self, I would say that I was actually a bit disappointed. ¿Por que? Porque this is the end of the summer season and the water levels after the rainy season must make them truly amazingly spectacular!! An odd thing to feel but true. Could well be a reason to come back.
Although I am travelling alone I actually spent almost no time alone when away! On the first day I pointed out a palm sized spider to another clear extranjero and we ended up spending the full day wandering around together. He is a lovely German guy, same age as me, frequent traveller and good company. The second day I decided to go back to the falls as they were so good and he was to go to Brazil (Puerto Iguazu is actually a borderr between Argentina, Brazil & Paraguay) but as I got on the bus there he was. The nature walk was disappointing with few animals. I saw in wild some monkeys, some usual + other bigger kind of guinea pigs, 2 alligators, 1 turtle, various birds (gorgeous jays + like a pheasant) + many flutter bys. On the 2nd day I also took a special boat ride that actually went into/under the 2nd biggest water fall. I knew my shower was weak but really, this is somethiong else. Dry to wet in 2 secs flat. Final morning we went to a bird sanctuary where I finally saw toucans but in cages so disappointing. Males have bigger .... beaks... than females. No surprise there then. There are 5 different types and I saw 3.
My room was a dorm for 4 for me alone. Full of ankle biting mossies. The bus seemed to have fleas that did the same. I suspect my Rudolf impression is now full face. The buses are much better than flying cattle class but distances huge so it's a hard balance to call if you take environmental things out of the equation. People were very nice in Iguazu but it was clear the original native Guarani peoples were the poorest of all. Food was better the Bue as you got vegetables too. I did manage to get a bit of the runs from the local fish dish but that's to bew expected at some time(s).
So, now I'll go visit my previous host possibly to snooze some. Then a 36 hour bus journey into Patagonia. A name from my childhood I never understood but loved. So now I will go there. From the wtaer falls to the frozen waters of many glaciars.
Sadly I can't upload some of my photo's, they're very virus wirried out here so I suggest you google Iguazu or Iguassu falls (or cataratas de) for some idea of what's here. The attached photo is from STA and a pretty overview but only half height of the Brazillian side (the border is half way across the water!!). I did't go to Brazil as stupidly there's no direct bus so you have to get off in the road and wait for 1 there & back. Doh !! Still, Elmar said Brazil was good but nothing on Argentina.
Next stop El Calafate and the Perito Moreno Glaciar (+ others) in over 2 days time.... Wish me good and long sleep
Love
Alan xx
PS I've found out that by uploading my address book STA automatically tells you all I've done a new blog- hope it works.
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