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Iguazu Falls - Brazil and Argentina
After our overnight 18 hour bus journey from Florianopolis we arrived in Foz do Iguazu. We are getting used to the long bus journeys and strangely beginning to enjoy them. The Brazilian and Argentinian buses are renowned for being first class standard and very comfy, some even serve champagne! I'm sure the standard may change when we get to Bolivia...
We dumped our bags at the hostel and headed straight to the Iguazu national park to see the Brazilian side of the falls. The park felt like something out of Jurassic park as we rode on the bright green, open top electric bus through the rainforest to the beginning of the trails, both of us humming the Jurassic park theme tune!
The Brazilian side offers lots of panoramic photo opportunities so we were snap happy as we walked alongside the falls taking in the breathtaking views. The trail ends at the ferocious Garganta do Diablo (translates to Devil's Throat) where we enjoyed getting soaked by the spray from the powerful 80m high waterfall. Words can't describe how spectacular it was but hopefully you will get an idea from the pictures!
Early the next morning we crossed the border to Argentina to see the falls from a different perspective. Crossing the border was quite an adventure! We got on an old rickety bus that dropped us off at the Brazilian border in no mans land. The bus drivers don't like to hang around so we stood anxiously by the border waiting for the next bus. We got chatting to a Dutch couple and Nick somehow persuaded them to walk to the next border, not knowing the distance. Listening to his advice they walked ahead and typically a bus turned up 10 minutes later! He felt a bit guilty as it was quite a fare walk. The customs security was somewhat lacking as they didn't even glance at the conveyer belt screen. For all they knew we were smuggling a few bags of yayo.
The Argentinian side offers up, close and personal views of the waterfalls and a much wetter experience. The highlight of the day was the thrilling boat ride that takes you along the rapids of the river canyon and underneath the second largest waterfall of all the falls. It was safe to say we got absolutely drenched! It was one of the most exhilarating things I've ever experienced.
We got to see lots of exotic wildlife in the forest and alligators roaming in the water. Walking along the boardwalk towards Devils Throat you can hear the thunderous sound of the water and hundreds of colourful butterflies flying around your head. The viewing platform offers views within a few metres of the sheer drop of water. Iguazu falls was one of the most majestic things I've ever seen, definitely worth a visit!
That evening we treated ourselves to the local river fish and Nick had a gigantic bife de chorizo which was of course washed down with bottle of red! It's quite amusing how much food has become a common topic in our blogs! We are definitely big "foodies".
Off to Uruguay next! Next blog coming soon. Love Laura and Nick. X
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