Day 34 Thursday 8th January 2009 (Ellen's Birthday) Buenos Aires/Iguasu - Brazilian Side
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Ellen, Happy Birthday to yooouuuu ... Ellen is 17 today ... In the morning we flew out of BA for a short flight to Iguasu City, still on the Argentinian side of the falls ... The recommended viewing of the falls is to start on the Brazilian side, so we actually had to cross into Brazil just for a few hours and then come back ... this comprised almost 2 hours of extra time sitting in a bus while the tour guides processed 40 people across the border ... not great use of time. Of course, the first viewing of the Iguasu falls is stunning ... like any falls, you hear first - and with the amount of water coming of these falls the sound is deafening up close.
On the Brazilian side, you approach along walkways on the bank, so are looking up at the biggest single waterfall at Iguasu, the Devils Throat.(Not: Unfortunately where are at an Internet cafe that is completely locked down so the machines will not read our photo storage module - we will upload photos when we can). From the bottom of the main falls, you then catch a small lift up to a platform that is level with the top of the falls, giving another stunning view across the top.
Day 35 Friday 9th January 2009 Iguazu - Argentinian Side
Today was the big Kahuna - a full day tour on the Argentinian side of the falls ... and wow ... From the Argentinian side, there are trails up high and down low along the river ... the upper trail leads out over the river above the falls and leads to a viewing platform right in the middle of the river at the top of the Devils Throat ... the view is just stunning ... other trails then lead you around to prime viewings spots of the smaller falls, which are all spectcular in their own right.
The lower trails lead around most of the same falls to them them from a different persective ... We were offered an optional extra to have a boat ride on the river ... not cheap but given we were near the end of our trip and the budget had survived ... we took the plunge, so to speak. Our guide explained we would get a little wet, so rubber bags were provided to protect cameras etc ... but we were fully clothed. Stage one of the boat ride was for the driver to hold in the middle of the river for pictures of the various falls from the river view ... the guide said these would be the best pictures ... however, the amount of spray made the view very clouded ... we thought the bank viewing spots offered better photography.
After pics, and with cameras stowed, we expected to be take up very close to the falls .... errr, not so ... the boat is driven all the way into the second biggest fall at Iguasu and you get to experience the biggest soaking you have ever had from the tons of water pouring over the boat. And we were all sitting right at the front, so copped the full drenching ! And this was not just once, but the boat is drive in and out several times .... No doubt they do not drive into the biggest fall as that would be too dangerous ... but the second biggest was enough ... you have never been so wet in your life ... but its hot so you dry off in a hour or so. We then rounded off the boat ride with a trip down a few rapids below the falls ... what a buzz ...
All in all, a spectacular place .... lots of people, very touristy, but still well worth the effort to get there.
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Ellen, Happy Birthday to yooouuuu ... Ellen is 17 today ... In the morning we flew out of BA for a short flight to Iguasu City, still on the Argentinian side of the falls ... The recommended viewing of the falls is to start on the Brazilian side, so we actually had to cross into Brazil just for a few hours and then come back ... this comprised almost 2 hours of extra time sitting in a bus while the tour guides processed 40 people across the border ... not great use of time. Of course, the first viewing of the Iguasu falls is stunning ... like any falls, you hear first - and with the amount of water coming of these falls the sound is deafening up close.
The lower trails lead around most of the same falls to them them from a different persective ... We were offered an optional extra to have a boat ride on the river ... not cheap but given we were near the end of our trip and the budget had survived ... we took the plunge, so to speak. Our guide explained we would get a little wet, so rubber bags were provided to protect cameras etc ... but we were fully clothed. Stage one of the boat ride was for the driver to hold in the middle of the river for pictures of the various falls from the river view ... the guide said these would be the best pictures ... however, the amount of spray made the view very clouded ... we thought the bank viewing spots offered better photography.
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