In Search of Iguasu

---

---

Places Visited: Ilha Grande (Brazil), Paraty (Brazil), Iguasu Falls (Brazil/Argentina), Salto (Uruguay), Montevideo (Uruguay), Colonia (Uruguay) & Buenos Aires (Argentina).

So, i have just completed my first trip, 17 days of seeing the sights from Rio to Buenos Aires, from Cachasa to Medio Medio to some rather nice Vino Tinto and steak, i have had a chance to sample all the local offerings... I have had an amazing time, and i can´t believe it has been less than a month since i left, already feels like i have been here for ages.

The trip kicked off with a few days on Ilha Grande, which is a paradise island just off the coast close to Rio. No cars, idyllic beaches, a really relaxed pace of life and enough stray dogs to keep a Korean BBQ going for many months. Enjoyed some fantastic weather (English redness beginning to disappear at this point) and the highlight had to be an all day boat trip which went around some of the secluded beaches on the island, complete with unlimited Brazilian barbeque and Caiparihnas. Also managed to have my first swim in crystal clear water with an oil rig in the background - a surreal experience! This is also the location where my favourite Brazilian beer was discovered - when i get back i will be looking out for 'Bohemia' in all good supermarkets.

After a great few days relaxing, we moved on to Paraty for a few nights. This colonial town was really a stopping point before heading to Iguasu but we managed to sneak in a Jeep tour around the surrounding area. Crossing rapids, rope swinging across rivers and Cachasa tasting were the main components of this tour, although the highlight was without doubt sliding down a mini waterfall and then trying to avoid being swept away through the rapids (see the photo). Apart from a cracked shin i escaped unscathed.

Then from Paraty we took our first night bus (which was actually surprisingly comfortable) across to Foz de Iguasu. from here we visited Iguasu falls from both the Brazilian and Argentina sides which was incredible. The highlight being a boat trip which went right under one of the main falls. i ended up taking almost an entire memory card of photos of this, so will be looking forward to boring some of you senseless going through these when i get back.

Next stop was Salto in Uruguay. Here we spent a day just relaxing in the thermal baths, which was just what was required after the second overnight bus journey, which had lost its novelty factor and become more like a Easyjet flight. Then on to Montevideo. I didn't really know much about it before i went so wasn't expecting much but was pleasantly surprised by what a nice city it was. In particular the highlight was a trip to the Mercado Del Puerto where i sampled the best steak i have come across on this trip so far. A really great atmosphere in the city as well, which made it a tough place to leave...

But the next stop was pretty amazing too - Colonia. A smaller city in Uruguay, it was a really relaxing few days, staying in a great little boutique hostel where i managed to hire a beach buggy for the day to travel around which was great fun and attracted quite a lot of attention where ever i went. Especially when 3 minutes after hiring the thing i preceded to drive it straight down a one way street the wrong way, and then discovered that it didn't have a reverse gear. Pushing this thing back up the street did not look good!

And so to here and now, i have arrived in Buenos Aires where i think i will stay around for a week or so before heading down to the 'end of the world'. BA looks like an amazing place so really looking forward to actually settling here for a bit, i might even be able to unpack my bag for the first time and discover some of the things i have forgotten that i packed for this trip!

Hasta Luego

Charlie

---

Photos

Ilha Grande Boat Tour
An amazing start to the trip

Ilha Grande
After this swim my skin felt like a million dollars

Ilha Grande
The night life

Paraty
The Waterfall slide

Iguasu Falls
Boat trip under the falls

Iguasu Falls
Showing Brazil what it is in store for when the British arrive for the world cup

Salto
Relaxing day at the thermal baths

Montevideo
Football musuem - the football from the first World Cup final

Colonia
My transportation around the city

Colonia
Getting used to the lifestyle!

Comments

[jo]

more like it!
this is what a blog should look like! great photos and even felt informed about where you have been. although i am sure a friend from uni used to rave about bohemia beer and it was mexican- could be confusing........xx

[mandd]

SKIN
"...my skin felt like a million dollars" All green and crinkley then?

[Ben]

Happy Birthday!
Hi Charlie! Have a great day and have a Quilmes on me..... (I'll pay you back when you get back honestly!) How's the Spanish coming on? Sounds like you're having an amazing time. We are green with envy here! Looking forward to more updates and hopefully some photos of Ba's famous nightlife!! Good luck for the next bit of travels....Happy to help if you have any questions. Buen Viaje!

[Nath]

Jealous - very very jealous
Mate - it sounds like you are having a great time and I've got to say that you may have a future career as a travel writer. A bit of culture, a bit about the weather and a bit about the joys of travelling (never unpacking your bag and cramped dorms). I've got to say that I have been thinking about what I have achieved in the last month and it reads a bit like: went to work (a lot), watched some TV and cut the grass. I am massively jealous. Keep up the blogging and I'll set you a challenge of enjoying the sun, beer and steaks as you enjoy the South American lifestyle. Nath

[Mark E]

Really not jealous
Looking at the pictures and realising your trip isn't just about the journey, but also the sights, sounds, nightlife, beer, and ridiculously good weather, I'm doing me best not to be jealous. Working 9-5 and then being mauled by kids really is a good alternative. Honest.