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Published: November 25th 2014
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Sweatin' in Iguasu
It couldn't be any hotter! Oh, they are cute and seemingly friendly. But beware these are wild animals that only appear tame because they want only one thing...whatever food you may be carrying. They look like a cross between an aardvark and a raccoon. They run in packs and are very determined. They
WILL attack you and leave nasty wounds. Signs proliferate with warnings but people being people still feed them because they think they are sooooooo cute. This only leads to more bad behavior on their part. Go to 'you tube' for the 'attack of the coatimundi' video and you will see exactly what happened to a woman in my group. She was completely unaware that the animals were even near as they lurk the the foliage. When they smell food they come out in packs and attack. Just a warning if you ever go to Iguasu Falls.
Iguasu Falls is truly spectacular. It sits on the border of Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. The falls can be beautifully viewed from both the Argentine and Brazilian side. There is a constant argument about which side has the best view. About 20%!i(MISSING)s on the Brazilian side so, in my humble opinion, that permits the best
Beautiful
Incredible views view because you can see 80% of the wide spread of the falls plus you can reach out and touch the 270' high and almost 500 ' wide 'Devil's Throat'. On the Argentine side you can see across to the spectacular 'Devil's Throat' but you are far away from it.
Either viewing is not cheap. A 'visa, for Brazil costs $160 plus mailing fees for a total cost of closer to $200. A 'reciprocity fee' for U.S. Citizens to enter Argentina costs $160 and must be obtained before leaving the U.S. Both sides have national parks and charge and admission fee. The Brazilian side offers a helicopter ride over the falls (about $180) and a boat ride( about $40) where you can get completely drenched.
I opted to walk along the mile and a half trail. The day was hot (about 90+ and humid). Despite walking slowly I was dripping like a dog coming out of a pond. Well, so was everyone else walking the trail. Really. if someone wanted to shoot a commercial for the most miserable looking group of people they should just set up their cameras on this trail.
So, you may ask, between
Coatimundi
They are NOT cute and cuddly the attacking coatis and the dripping sweat was this worth it? Absolutely! To put it in perspective I have 3 places in the world I would return in a minute: Machu Picchu, Venice, and Iguasu Falls. I don't feel that way about returning to Niagra Falls ( maybe because of the horrendous commercialism that has overtaken a place of natural beauty). And bravo to the Argentineans and Brazilians for taking steps to preserve this incredible resource. Both charge an admission fee and limit the number of cars able to drive close to the falls thus protecting the flora and fauna.
I had first seen the falls in 1996. At that time a taxi took my husband and I to the three country border, then to the Argentine side where we walked wooden walkways amongst the almost mile long falls. We did not have a Brazilian visa but the cab driver told us it was 'no problema'. He drove us to the Brazilian border, asked for our passports, went up to the border control agents , returned in a few minutes and 'ta da' we were waved into Brazil. We were a bit nervous about ever seeing our passports again
Devil's Throat
The power of the waters but, as I've learned in my travel life, a good taxi driver is worth more than a stack of $100 dollar Traveler's checks. At that time Brazil had no formal entrance. We drove to a small paved outcropping and viewed the falls. And, yes, the coatis were there then too. We returned to reenter Argentina. No translation was necessary when the cab driver turned to us and rubbed his thumb and index fingers together ( an international sign for tipping). I don't remember what we gave but apparently it was an amount sufficient for getting our passports back.
When I got the opportunity to go on this Friendship force trip to Brazil and we were asked where else we might like to go when we did independent travel, well, Iguasu was top on my list. Despite the heat I would do it all again.
There are many videos of Iguasu on the web which will give you an idea of the scope and beauty of this special place. There also have been many films made using the falls as a backdrop. The one I remember most was 'The Mission' with Robert DeNiro and Jeremy Irons. The 'Devil's Throat'
plays a major (and unforgettable role) in that picture.
I have been home since Nov. 9 and will try to send more blogs about the trip. As you know I had many technical issues while in Brazil. The Travelblog moderator says that transmissions from Brazil are usually difficult. Well, as we enter our cold season and think of poor Buffalo with 8 feet of snow it might be fun for you to be reading about my experiences in 95+ degree heat. ;-)
Carolyn
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D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley
Igasasu Falls
Beware of scavengers......The falls sound amazing. I can't wait to see them. Hopefully sooner than later. Shoot you live in Memphis you should be used to 95 degrees by now.