Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Today I was up bright and early ready for a day at Iguazu Falls. The weather was looking terrible with rain but the other two Couchsurfers explained that everyday here started with same bad conditions. At around 8:30am myself, Jake & Daniella took a bus into the city centre and from there swapped buses to one heading for the national park. Luckily Daniella is Brazilian and could help me out with directions and guidance of which I am in desperate need of in Brazil. The bus took about 40 minutes to get to the park; Jake & Daniella stopped at the bird park and I continued on to the National Park. A friend of mine had drawn me a map on how to get into the park for free but after sussing out the area, all the security and the fact I would need to be trekking through the jungle I decided against it and coughed up the $25. The infrastructure at the park was excellent and I really felt the $25 was well spent. I boarded a double decker bus with all open viewing decks that toured us around the park. The park was comprised of many different areas where you could partake in various activities however these were all at extra cost. I followed the masses and disembarked at the first viewing platform, frozen cold and with a slight drizzle the weather was not looking good. My first look at the falls was breath-taking and words can't really describe such a natural wonder without experiencing it yourself. There was a boarded trail that continued for about 1.5km with viewing platforms every 200m or so, people piled into these areas and took 100s upon 100s of photos. I asked many people to take photos for me and had to constantly clean my camera as the rain and the spray from the falls covered everything. I came across these interesting animals known as Coati (similar to ant eaters) that were very friendly but were after people's food, everyone was taking pictures with these cute little animals but signs warned of attacks. Brazil's side of the falls is known as the best place for the panoramic view of the falls and it sure lived upto its name. We got closer and close to the actual falls and there was this huge deck that walked straight out and over the top of falls - the only problem was everyone was getting covered with spray. I ran out on the decking just a little way and within 2 minutes was soaked so I ran back, they were selling ponchos but at $10 it was a tourist trap I wasn't going to fall for. I ended up seeing a Chinese lady dump her poncho on the ground so I grabbed it and then ran out onto the platform - and even with the poncho got absolutely drenched. The last bit of the falls was the final waterfall and they had an observatory that put you right alongside it - at this point I couldn't hide my grin which was eat to eat and even though I was soaking wet, freezing cold and tired I was so happy to feel and see natures true power. After taking some amazing photos and capturing the moment as much as possible I headed up to where the resteraunts were for a packed lunch. The sun finally came out as I was eating my lunch and people were more relaxed and could sit and enjoy their lunch - there were people from all walks of life and the area was brilliant with a variety of cafes, shops and infrastructure. I boarded the bus back to the entrance around 2 and was back waiting for a bus back to the city by 2:30pm. Overall I was very impressed and felt it was money well spent and truly a unique experience. Arriving back in the city I went to a huge supermarket and did what I like best - explore and see what it is Brazilians eat. The fruit was the first thing that caught my eye and compared to Argentina it was super cheap so I went to town buying 2.5kg of avocado for $2.50 and exotic fruits for just over a dollar a kilo. Meat prices were similar to Argentina and normal goods except tuna seemed to be also the same as Argentina. I left the supermarket with a backpack full of food and caught the bus back to Sheila's. Joshua and Daniella arrived back and told me about their great day at the bird park and we chatted more about Brazil and Rio - they live in Rio and invited me to stay with them when I get to Rio. Sheila had to tutor her nephew in English so I hung-out with her whilst Joshua, Daniella and another surfer went out to a typical Brazilian Beef Buffet. Later Sheila and I went for a drive to drop her nephew of and visit Sheila's sister who so kindly invited me for dinner on Saturday night - my plan was to leave Saturday but with an offer like that I will certainly stay another day.
- comments