We've just got back from Iguazu Falls a couple of days ago. We had quite an adventure over there!

The coach was brilliant. The seats reclined really far back and were quite comfortable (although it took a while to get to sleep!) They gave us a pillow and blanket. During the journey (which was 18 hours) we watched 2 films, had dinner, slept, watched another film, had breakfast and before we knew it we arrived. The hostel was a big disappointment. It looked so nice on the website, but was a bit of a dump when we got there. They had no idea about bookings for a lot of people. Luckily they got our booking though, but a lot of people were very angry as they had already paid deposits. The other people in the dorm were very hideous and I am sure one of them stole my book. Not very happy memories at that place!

Anyway, we arrived at around lunch time and decided to see the Falls from the Brazil side for a panoramic view. We had to go through border control at Argentina, changed buses and then went on to the Falls entrance. It was sheeting down with rain the whole journey, a proper tropical rainstorm. Luckily, when we actually arrived at the park it stopped and the sun came out. The views were amazing! The water falls never ended, as you will see from our hundreds of photos. There were lots of colourful butterflies out as well. Because of the weather, not many people were there as well. We were so lucky! The walk took us right up to a part of the waterfalls called "The Devils Throat" where there is a metal walkway that takes you out over the ravine. We got very wet.

When we left the park, the heavens opened again and I think we missed the last bus, so we got a taxi to the Brazilian border town, Foz. From there we tried to get another bus, but we were in the wrong part of the city. Our taxi had taken us to the wrong bus terminal - just our luck! So we got another taxi amusingly called a Coopertaxi. We went to the Brazil border and showed our passports and there was a problem. Earlier in the day we had our passport stamped at the Argentine border to say we were leaving, however the bus didnt stop for long at the Brazilian border so we didn know to get out. So I think we entered Brazil illegally. They werent too happy with us but after a few minutes and a bit of a telling off they let us on our way. It was a bit worrying!

The following day we spent on the Argentine side of the Falls for close up views. It was very commercial and there were 3 set walks you could do. The park was very busy and full of American tourists in groups. Im not sure why they needed showing around or what needed explaining. The routes were clear - you couldnt deviate from them, and what needs explaining about waterfalls? Theres a river and it falls over the edge of a cliff! It didnt take us too long to get around, but again the views were fantastic. We got very very close to the waterfalls. Shil got closer than me because the grid walkways go over sheer drops and I dont do heights. Again there was a walkway to the Devils Throat, only this time it was higher up. Shil got absolutely drenched!

In the evenings at Puerto Iguazu we ate at a couple of good restaurants and avoided the hostel for as long as possible.

Itś been good to be back in Buenos Aires and our Limehouse Hostel. Its been a good home for us, however it is now time to move on. We have a VERY long journey ahead of us now. Perhaps the longest one on our trip. We head south by bus to a place called RIo Gallagos. The journey takes about 36 hours.Im not sure if we get to stop and stretch our legs, I hope so! We leave at about 8pm tonight (Sunday) and get there on Tuesday morning. From Rio Gallegos we then will take another bus further south to Ushuaia. To get there takes about 12 hours and requires us to enter and leave Chile and cross a stretch of water. We get to our next hostel on Tuesday evening. We will be so ready for a good nights sleep by then. We are staying at the Antartica hostel for at least 5 nights. http://www.antarcticahostel.com/ Its apparently really cold down there as well, temperatures reaching as low as 8 degrees in the evening. At least there wont be any mosquitos - weve both had our fair share of bites.

D