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Published: April 6th 2010
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Iguazu Falls
275 Waterfalls - awesome! We went to Puerto Iguazu with the aim of seeing the Iguazu Falls. Two days later we have seen the falls from almost every conceivable angle......from above by helicopter, from below in a jet boat, from Brazil, and from Argentina. The weirdest thing about it is that every single time you see them you are still taken aback at just how awe inspiring they are and how amazing it is. So in the last two days I have taken about a zillion photos and next time you come for dinner you too can experience the majesty and beauty of the Falls as I show you the pictures. No don't worry, I'll only do that to people who are overstaying their welcome. And the really good news is that I didn't buy the DVD of the helicopter trip or the DVD from the boat trip.
Lucy and I met up with Stella again at the
Hostel Inn , just outside of Puerto Iguazu, after a 17 hour bus trip. I was in charge of booking the accommodation so booked the Hostel, however in a private room and our own bathroom. I didn't think it would be too bad, but Stella's first words when
First glimpse
From the helicopter this was my first glimpse of the falls. we saw her were "I'm over hostels". Needless to say that the accommodation Stella has booked us for our next destination is closer to a luxury hotel! Still having an el cheapo moment I also booked the 17 hour bus trip, however it was billed as a "luxury" bus and it didn't disappoint, with fully recline-able, lie flat seats, meals, movies, a waiter and a toilet that smelt fresh and clean. Admittedly the food was not very good - Lucy and I couldn't agree as to whether the main meal was chicken or fish - but all in all a fantastic way to cover a huge distance relatively cheaply.
Our first full day in Puerto Igauzu was spent on the Brazilian side, where we treated ourselves to the helicopter ride. Not exactly cheap, but worth every penny, it was so much fun! Not to mention awesome views. None of the photographs you see can every prepare you for the incredible sight and sound of the spectacular waterfalls, all 275 of them. We spent about half a day there, admiring the many views of the Falls, which never seemed to get old. The only surprising thing was that it was
not great weather and surprisingly quite cold, and given the day before had been scorching hot, we went very poorly prepared and froze.
Then today, Stella went to Bariloche, and Lucy and I visited the Falls from the Argentinian side. There's a heck of lot more to see on this side so it took us a full day. We also took in a rafting trip down the river and a boat ride that took us right underneath the Falls, so you got completely drenched but it was the most fun I've had in ages. Maybe since yesterday's helicopter ride?
We did see the Falls almost every way possible, but apparently years ago you used to be able to see them from the top, in the water. Locals would row out a boat filled with tourists out and row furiously against the current so visitors could get the best possible view. Not surprisingly in 1936 one of the rowers got too close and lost the battle with the water and went over the Falls, killing everyone on board, including 8 German tourists, at which point they banned it. Actually the only really surprising part of the story is that
it hadn't happened earlier.
According to the guidebook there's a theory that all the negative ions generated by waterfalls makes people happier. I'm not sure if it was that or not, but my experience at Iguazu was awesome!
Thanks to everyone for your messages and comments - it's great to hear from you and know you are out there!
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shan
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falls
Not a patch on the Huka Falls - yeah right!