Iguassu Falls

Mighty Iguassu
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Iguassu Falls (we have been told) is the most visited natural attraction in South America. I say natural attraction, because the other "attractions" of say Rio are possibly more more popular! Anyway Iguaçu has about 300,000 static population and receives 1,000,000 visitors per year. It is very geared-up for the tourists, and has none of the seedy underbelly I've seen in other parts of southern Brazil. Although I'm sure it exists, because of the number of tourists who visit this place, does not (seem to) suffer the "in your face" poverty. There are Sheratons, Holiday Inns, Marriotts, Sofitel (I think) and all manner of luxury high rise accommodation. In fact the Sheraton is within hearing distance of the falls themselves. All the roads are paved and in good repair and there are gardens in the medians, even the street vendors have quite "up market" stalls, rather than the covered coolite boxes in other places.

Rubber ducky trip
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Iguassu (English spelling, Iguaçu - Portugese spelling) Falls sits on the Parana River (tho I don't think there are pirhanas in it!).  The Parana River divides Brazil and Argentina with Argentina actually "owning" the falls themselves. Quite a weird set up, but more on that in a moment. Anyway from the Brazillian side you can only view the falls, but from the Argentinian side you can get into them, walk on them (jump into them if you have a death wish!), and its far more slick in terms of its tourisism machine.

The Power! Iguassu Falls (Brazillian and Argentinian side)

Looking towards Devil´s Throat
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We went to the Brazillian side on the first day which was pretty impressive, but yesterday did the whole touristy thing and went to the Argentinian side complete with boat ride that goes under the falls.  It was a fantastic experience, to say the least! You don´t actually go under the main part of the falls, termed "Devil's Throat," because I´m sure that would mean certain death. The rubber craft whizzes about in and near the lesser falls, and takes you right under what are called the Three Musketeers.  These three falls are close together but you can still hear the thunderous wrath of the main falls.  It was such a blast! Almost as good as the helicopter ride the day before!  Did I mention that I did that?  WOW!!I went on one of those tourist chopper rides over the falls from the Brazillian side.  It was soo amazing!!! About 20 minutes of pure thrill banking and hovering over the falls from all angles. Expensive at USD$70, but well worth the extra pressure on the budget.

The boat under the falls
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Unfortunately I've had some technical issues today. I accidently changed the format of the camera card and looks like the photos I took yesterday are lost to some super cyberbug! Sooo annoyed about that, but least I've learned my lesson about mucking round with the camera settings. One of the guys may be able to retrieve them through a program which you download which I'm hopeful about, but otherwise I think I'll have to kiss em off. Lesson learned!  :(  Alternatively there were many photos taken yesterday, and I can always get them from others in the group. (More on this in another entry).

The boat under the falls again
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Went to Argentina yesterday as I mentioned, and the border crossing is a real beeatch. You'd think they'd be relaxed about it, but we had to wait in a cue for about 40 minutes each way. Today we are going to Paraguay if I can get my act together.  Today has been a nightmare in terms of the technical difficulties ... so will have to bid you au revoir for now guys ... Hope you find this slightly entertaining :)

Talk soon...

w

xx

Looking toward one of the Three Muskateers
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PS sorry still no photos ... will wait for a decent internet connection!