 The wonder that is Iguaçu/Iguazu - a fitting end to a great month in Brazil |
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The wonder that is Iguaçu/Iguazu - a fitting end to a great month in Brazil
South America » Argentina » Misiones » Puerto Iguazú
October 17th 2006 by Em_the_Gypsy
What can I say about Iguaçu/Iguazu falls? Words and even pictures don't do it justice. Truly, the only way to appreciate it is to go there. So everyone should. They truly are Mother Nature at her very, very best. I feel extremely lucky and honoured to have seen them, and I felt humbled in the presence of so much power. I visited both the Brazilian and Argentinian sides, and although each was amazing in it's own way, I think I enjoyed the Argentinian side more. There seemed to be more to do there, and walking along some of the catwalks was fantastic. Anyway, I think I'll let the pictures do the talking! I look literally hundreds of pictures at the falls, so those attached are just a sample.
It's been too long since I updated, and I now can't remember what I was going to write about. Brazil was an amazing place, full of the friendliest people I have ever met in my life. For the first month away for someone who has barely travelled before, it certainly had it's challenges but it was so rewarding. Looking back over the time I had, I was really lucky to have experienced so many great things in such a short space of time. So to all those who made my time in Brazil what it was, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
My first few days in Argentina were a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. I had a great time couchsurfing with Cyndi in Puerto Iguazu, and from there I took a bus to Posadas, the state capital of Misiones. I'd like to say I had a wonderful time there, too, but unfortunately this was not so. A bad choice of accommodation and nobody to talk to were a lethal combination to make Posadas the site of my first 'down' period while travelling. I also messed up my exit strategy as well, being unable to get a bus where I wanted to go to, on the day I wanted to leave! So, after bursting into tears in the middle of the bus station (classy, I'm sure you will agree) I pulled myself together and made a plan. I had intended to head to Santa Fe and Rosario after Posadas, but as I was unable to get there (and I sure as hell wasn't going to stay in Posadas any longer to wait for a bus!) I decided to head straight for Buenos Aires. I felt in desperate need of hanging out with some cool people in a city hostel, something I thought would make me feel better. I arrived in BA two days ago, and after spending the last two nights in a great hostel in San Telmo, I am now staying in Palermo, a lovely area of the city with some people I met in San Telmo. So, all's well again now!
I think I did pretty well to go a whole month without a dodgy moment (the day of my arrival excepted) so it was to be expected that I would hit a downer at some point. But I just had to ride it out, see it for what it was and get on with it. Which is what I did. After all, who can go a year without having an off day?!
More about Buenos Aires soon. I'm off to explore . . .
The calm before the storm
It amazed me how close this serene river was to the immense noise of the falls
23 Comments - Add Public Comment or Send Private Message
October 19th 2006 - Kait: Fabulous!
Thanks for sharing your Brazilian experience. I leave next week to visit many of the same places you have been, and it was fun to see your pictures and dream of the adventures to come.
October 20th 2006 - anonymous: Hold that memory!
Definitely do that - you may never see anything so amazing again - I will probably never see it- I will rely on you for full detail and photos. You are so lucky!! Missing you so much. Enjoy! Love Mum
October 23rd 2006 - xx Elli xx:
Emillly !!! wowww those pictures are amazing, it must've been really incredible to see them in person ! The weather out there looks amazing too, it's just turned into true october style here, yesterday me and James went for a walk along the beach in the rain....and got rather wet. Awww its so sad to think that you had a rough patch in your journey,, next time anyhing like that happens, just think of that cheery ol' bombay dreams tune!
We had auditions for The Taiming of the Shrew at school last week, and I got the lead role of Katherina !! yeeeyyy! More lines to learn!!
Miss youu!!!!! Can't wait to hear more of your adventures!
Elli xxxxxx
October 23rd 2006 - anonymous:
Poo to bad experiences, but yay to good ones!
October 24th 2006 - Sarah - Arabian Nights: Wow!
Those pictures are beautiful! I'm glad that you're having a wonderful time. Keep up the photos. Sarah x
October 24th 2006 - Sergio: Wonderfull days!!! :D
Hola Chica!!!
Really amazing days those in Iguaçu, ahum?!! :) I'm happy to see things are running well (except for Posadas, but those things are part of the "big thing").
I'm already back to Portugal. :(
So, I really hope you enjoy for me too! Drink some beers (or caipirinhas) in my name! I'll do the same in Lisbon for you, where I'm waiting whenever you decide to come! I may not cook so well as you and Michelle, but I'm sure I'll get better WINE for dinner! :D
Keep posting the news! Bigggg Kisss for you!!!
October 24th 2006 - Maureen:
Whattremendous photos. You are certainly getting about. My greatest excitement is being back at uni which is good and a weekend in London with my sister in November. Life goes on ! Love
October 24th 2006 - sakirmo:
It's hard to believe there can be so much beauty in one place as there is around Iguassu... sigh, I really want to go back.
I can sympathise with your down day, have had a few of those myself & I guess they're inevitable part of the travelling-alone-game. Enjoy Buenos Aires, there's so much to do there, I spent a week and hardly slept at all during that time ;)
October 24th 2006 - Ian: Buenos Aires
Hope you enjoy it, I thought it was great and was there about the same time of year, jacaranda trees, beautiful buildings and people and good steak and red wine.....not sure why I came home!!
October 24th 2006 - Michelle: Michelle from Rio Hostel
Hi Em!! Cool to follow you like this! It's great to keep reading about all your adventures. I must say I feel the same way as you do about Brazil! The fun, the great Brazilian people and their mentality and of course the new friends I made from all over the world. After Rio Hostel I too had a hostel with nobody to talk to. Of course I was with Marcia but I can imagen what it must be like on some dull days like you experienced! (I'm sorry about the spelling...) It's good to hear it didn't let you down and that you kept on going. Iguacu looks fantastic! The pictures sure say more then a thousand words. I definitly have to go there. But I'm planning to go back someday and see more of Brazil. Next year I'm planning to go to Portugal (yeah, I'm already busy planning my next trip, that's what's keep me going hehehehe). We definitely have to meet again someday. Had a great time with you! Till next time....
Greetz from Michelle
October 25th 2006 - Franki [=: jealous much?
whenever i see an email from the blog people it makes me grin stupidly and read the next chapter of your amazing adventure.
im very jealous, it all looks amazing, you're inspiring me to take a year out and be big n brave and travel in your footsteps.
im extremely proud of your tears at the bus station, I hope they were dramatic. [=
I hope you carry on having an amazing time exploring.
(and i dyed my hair red again [=)
lots of love, Franki xxxxxxx
October 26th 2006 - Katie: Green eyed
One word, WOW! It just looks absolutly amazing!! I wish the pictures had sound! And you truley look lovely in the coat and life-jacket mwhahaha. Dramatic classy tears, we would expect no less! lol Aboslutly love the pictures, and the writtings as well of course, keep them coming! xxxx :) one of your personal green eyed monsters :) xxxx
October 29th 2006 - Barbara: Wow
Amazing water fall, some friends in Canada just sent pics of Niagra but yours beats that!!! Ahaa Em, big hug, so sorry about your bad day, but all the good ones make up for it and we're all rooting for you here. You are never really alone!!! Love the life jacket, is this a fashion statement. do they come in any other colour, orange just wouldn't suit me!! Miss you. B xxxx
November 1st 2006 - Tony: It just gets better ...
Time of your life, eh? Fantastic to hear all about it. Makes our little trips to Italy pale into insignificance (we're just back from 10 days there). As B says, looks like Iguazu beats Niagra, where I got frozen from the ice spray in 1987! One bad day in a month ain't too bad - but there's always the next corner of the world to peek round, and then there's your lecture tour to plan for when you get back! We like the smiley pix, and keep the fashion statements coming ... Looking forward to the penguins. Love, T.
November 1st 2006 - Robyn x : Jealousy cannot describe it!
WOW! The falls sound amazing! The pictures look even more amzing! Such a beautiful place that I can't help feeling envy when all I can see is William Parker tennis courts! Brazil sounds like a really interesting place to visit after your month of stories. You really do sond to be having a fabulous time and no doubt you will continue. (I am proud of your dramatics. They truly sound BAFTA worthy!) x x x x
November 2nd 2006 - Molly: GGrrrrrrrrr
I get more and more jealous everytime i read these things. The falls look amazing. I hope you're well and truly over the down period, crying in public is one fo the classiest things u can do. Hope you're having fun.
November 3rd 2006 - Afro Kris: Blimey Jim!!! (I know you aren't Jim, but hey...)
Looks absolutely amazing and wet.... like waterworld but with less primary school trips. I'm glad you managed to sort everything out eventually and I hope you found someone to talk to... someone who posibly had many stories to tell about various scars they have. Also... what is couchsurfing? Wish I could be there :P
hope everything continues to get better xxx
November 4th 2006 - kelly: so jealous!
Sorry it's taken me so long to reply! School ismanic and I so prefer the holidays! The pics of the waterfalls look incredible adn my god they make me jealous. As I told you before you went I've always wanted to go to South America so the more you tell me and the more pics I see the more envious I get.
I hope you're having a fab time and are having time to enjoy the local beverages, where have served the best cocktails so far!
Lots of Love
Kel
November 5th 2006 - LINDA: enjoy
Amazing, amazing! Enjoy it all - down days only help to highlight all the special ones so well done for keeping it all in perspective. pictures are fantastic.
November 7th 2006 - Kate:
Thankyou for giving us a glimpse of the falls - magnificent! Why have I never heard of them? Can think of a few things/individuals I'd like to chuck in. Lots of love. Kate xxxxxx
November 20th 2006 - Stephanie: Marvellous
Hi Em, I am so impressed that you have so much spirit - keep enjoying yourself and sending lovely things back to us. How do you think you will adjust when you get back to Hastings? A thought, I am sure that has flashed through your mind.
Enjoy the world.
December 19th 2007 - irisheyes999:
Randomly found you....you rock because
a) you're traveling in south america
b) you couch surf
c) you write well
Loving your bloc
-irisheyes999
Well thank you! It's always nice to be told you rock. :-)
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