Iguazu Falls, Argentina!

Colin and I are on the last couple days in South America and had a decision to make.  From Buenos Aires (B.A) we could take a 20 hr bus to the far norteast corner of the counrty to see some large waterfalls or stay in the BA area for the remainder of our trip.  We heard the falls were beautiful and have been wanting to go since we arrived but feared the 20 hr bus ride there and back might just be too much.  After much back and forth, we decided to bite the bullet and head for the falls!

The trip didn’t start out great.  On the way to the bus terminal my beloved sandals broke, to some that may not sound like a big deal but I bought them for our wedding and they have been my shoe of chioce this entire trip...rest in peace dear shoes.  At the massive B.A bus terminal we paced back and forth along the 70 gates waiting for our bus which showed up two hours late smelling heavily of the obviously full on board bathroom.  All the buses we have been on thus far have fed us meals and snack, provided us with blanket and pillow and have played movies during daylight hours.  This bus did not feed us, and expecting food Colin and I did not pack much with us, blankets were for first class only and the AC was blasting, so little sleep was had by either.  And while the speakers on the bus worked, the actual TV screnes did not but they play the movie anyways at an unnecessary loud volume. All that being said it was still ten times better than any Greyhound experience I have ever had.

When we arrived the next day in Puerta Iguazu we were excited to get some rest.  The hostel we booked didn’t inform us they were currently undergoing major renovations and through the dust, tarps and piles of brick we could see the potential.  For the time being they stuck us in what we can only imagine was the former shed with a make shift bathroom crawling with mold.  Colin decided to get some rest and threw back the covers of his bunk sending a rain of dirt to the floor.  We were both really hoping the falls were worth all this.

The airconditioner in our room did produce some cool air but not quite enough to keep ten bodies cool and thus it was another sleepless night.  We dragged our tired bodies to the bus terminal and took the short ride to the park.  Arriving at the actual falls we soon realised that all we had been through was a small price to pay as for the most amazing waterfalls streched before us.  They reminded me of how I imagined South America when I was taught about it in grade school or watching movies like FernGully!

There are 275 waterfalls in total and if all that impressive water isn’t enough it’s surrounded by lush greenery and wildlife.  We were early and the first on many trails which allowed us to see some neat wildlife including 2 foot long black and white lizards and whole colonies of birds and butterflies.  We spend 6 hours in the park and couldn’t get enough of them. At one viewing platform, almost under the fall, I was taking it all in and thought this can’t be more perfect and looked down and saw a perfect rainbow in the falls mist...are you kidding me!  The last fall we visited is called ‘Devils Throat` and the vewing platform sits right on the very top, as you look at the impressive amount of water cascading down it almost made you dizzy.  If not for the midday heat (39 degrees-without humidity) we would have stayed and watched for hours.  Tired and completly satisfied we headed back to our new clean hostel, wringed out our drenched shirts (i wish i could say it was from the falls but must confess it was sweat) and cooled off by plunging in the pool.  Totally worth the trip.