Here are some fun facts:
- Iguazu means 'big water' in the native language, Guarani
- 275 different falls that are 1.7 miles long
- They were caused by a volcanic eruption leaving a whole in the Earth
- When Eleanor Roosevelt visited the falls she states 'Poor Niagra'
- The falls are split into upper and lower
- Isla San Martin lies between them and you can see more of a panoramic view of the falls from the top of the island
Okay, so on to the adventure part! The trip was organized by Expanish and they also paid for our transportation and hostel, which was really great! The bus was cama and not semicama so we could sleep well on the bus and had delicious food and wine! No bingo, but they played a whole bunch of 80s music videos so it really doesn't get much better than that, right?! My apartment, Joe and Dylan from Richmond, our friend Darren, another girl Koko living in BA, two girls from NYC who were visiting BA, a German woman, and our friend & guide, Leti all met up at Retiro to catch our 17 hour bus. After having a good sleep I awoke to see a very different change of landscape. GREEN! Green plants, green grass, flowers, red dirt, and humidity. I've seen lots of arid, dry, mountains, desert, plains, smaller dead bushes but finally green, lush, nature! We stayed in Puerto Iguazu which is on the Argentine side of the falls. The town is pretty small, not much there other than a few bars, restaurants, shops, and hostels. After changing into shorts and tshirts we headed down to tres fronteras (three borders) where Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina meet! All that separates them are the Parana and Iguazu Rivers. Parana doesn't refer to the fish, so no worries. We saw some neat murals made out of wood done by the locals about their heritage and history. Afterwards we walked along the costanera of the Iguazu River back into town. A few of us walked around town which really only consisted of a few streets. We stopped and had a drink then went back to the hostel to shower for the night. That night we went to a hostel down the street for a buffet. I have never seen so many old ladies at a hostel! They took over the buffet line and filled plate after plate with food. But hey, for 20 pesos (5 bucks) I wasn't expecting tons and tons of food. We sat out on the balcony eating and drinking caipirinhas, the delicious drink made with Brazilian alcohol. I got to bed somewhat early that night so I could be well rested for our full day at the falls!
Tres Fronteras
So we got picked up about 8:30 a.m. on Saturday morning to go to the Iguazu National Park, just 20 minutes away from Puerto Iguazu. At first, I felt like I was in Disney World because we got in large line, saw huge tour groups, and they had gift shops at the entrance. I was expecting to see waterfalls right away, but of course, like most things in life we had to wait a little while. So, as our guide of the day took us on a nature walk through the Iguazu forest, which was humid, hot, and green. My hair was in full 'fro mode! After walking down many stairs to start our tour of the lower part of the falls, we passed signs with men sliding on stairs. Caution: You may bust ass on the stairs (take note, later in this post I tell my personal story of falling on my ass.) Anyways, after long anticipation, I could hear it: the falls! As we were walking on the mesh-wired bridges on top of the plants and over some streams and then finally, we caught first glimpse of La Garganta del Diablo or Devil's Throat. This is the most powerful of the falls and right in the middle is the official border between Brazil and Argentina. We walked along some of the baby falls and saw the native birds that live in holes behind and around the rock walls of the falls. There were butterflies EVERYWHERE! Landing on us, going right into the falls, on flowers, truly all around us. After walking a little further we finally got a more panoramic view of the San Martin side of the falls. These were breathtaking. Literally, I have never seen anything more incredible! The sky was crystal clear blue, the falls were beautifully cascading over the green covered rock walls, birds, butterflies, sunshine, and what else could you ask for? Rainbows? Yup, those were there, too :) Along the trails we saw several salamanders and iguanas just hangin' out.
We got up close and personal with some of the San Martin falls and then headed further down to the dock to cross the river onto the San Martin Island. This island isn't always accessible because of the water level. Luckily, it was low enough for us to get onto the island. Now, many of you know I am a huge fan of LOST so taking a small motor boat over to this rocky sand beach onto a tree covered island obviously made me feel like Jack and Locke would be there to greet me, after all they ended up on the island right? Anyways, we started on a path into the center of the island which I thought was going to be flat, but oh no, straight vertical stairs all the way up to the top of the rock on the island. You couldn't even tell there was a hill because it was so covered with trees. After reaching the top we noticed something, not only were we being sprayed by the mist of the falls but I couldn't knock the feeling that someone was watching me. Then, I looked up and saw vultures, everywhere. These guys were just hanging out, waiting for us! After getting out of the woods we finally got a clear shot of all of the falls from a higher point of view. It was absolutely incredible, once again. I wish I had better words to describe it but I really can't. Once back on the beach, there was a small area roped off for swimming. It was really hot out and how often can you say you swam at Iguazu? So, Steph, Leti, and I hopped in! Unfortunately, there were rocks all at the bottom so our feet were not too happy but the water was really refreshing and little did we know we'd get soaked once again on our boat ride...
Some of the San Martin Falls & a rainbow
After descending the island we headed back to the mainland side of the river to go on our Aventura Nautica. Translation? Go in a boat, go under a few of the falls in about 10 minutes all for 100 pesos (25 bucks). We get in a boat, put on our life vests (safety first, Mom!) and then have the guys driving it who are wearing black, full body ponchos and resemble the Grim Reaper lead us into one of the falls. After becoming soaked, we head over to one of the stronger falls and go straight into that and after coming out of that fall we run straight into a rock. Oops, I don't think they meant to do that because the guy videotaping this said some words I won't translate to the guy driving it. However, we made it back to the dock with no harm done other than the fact we were drenched. We walked back up all of the stairs to the higher part of the falls, ate our lunches that we had packed earlier (ham & cheese sandwich turned into a ham & cheese melt) and dried off in the sunshine for a bit.
We were on to the higher part of the falls, this means that now we'd be on top of the waterfalls for the rest of our visit. What amazed me about seeing the falls from the top was how calm the water was before it went off the edge. It wasn't rushing to the falls it almost looked like a lake or a pool. After being on top of the San Martin falls we went to catch the small train that takes you to La Garganta del Diablo. We waited for a while to catch the train and saw tons of coati, they look like raccoons but with longer noses and tails. They love people because it means they might get some food! This one woman was sitting at a table eating and one climbed right up and grabbed her tray. This woman clearly was hungry because she yanked the tray out of it's mouth and the thing went flying! Luckily, it shook itself off and scurried away. We got off the train at la garganta but had to walk along a bridge over the water for about 15 minutes until we made it there. The water was absolutely still and we saw tons of fish and turtles! Then...there it was. The most incredible thing I have ever seen! Poor Niagra is right! I was just standing there, on top of it from the Argentine side, watching all of this water fall, without stopping, rainbows, mist, blue sky and it really was mesmerizing. While standing there, Leti asked me one word to describe it and I had nothing to say at first until I came up with inspiring. No other word really for it in my mind. By the time we were out of the park it was 6:00, we were the last ones out! It started pouring as soon as we left, perfect timing? I think so!
La Garganta del Diablo
That night, with sunburned faces, we went back to the other hostel for an asado. We had some yummy meat, hung out, drank caipirinhas, and then the parrilladora's son (the griller's son) started an impromptu dance party! All of us starting dancing on the outdoor terrace of the hostel! I even got my friend Darren, who never dances, to dance! It was lots of fun and the perfect ending of a great day!
The next day, we had some time in the morning before we had to catch an early afternoon bus back to BA! So, Helen and I decided to go an excursion ziplining through the canopy of the forest and rappelling down a waterfall! We got picked up in a safari-esque van at 8 a.m. and headed out of Puerto Iguazu, through lots of fields, and onto a military base. After going on many bumpy, dirt roads we finally made it, along with the other 20 adventurers to the first platform for ziplining. After being harnessed, helmeted, gloved, and given a safety talk, we headed up the steps to get to the first platform. This was the part I was most nervous for, not the actual ziplining but waiting on top of the stairs! I finally made it to the top of the trees, was hooked up, leaned back, kicked my feet up, and away I went! Through the trees and seeing specks of the ground way below me as I zipped by. I could see the second platform in sight and started moving my arms on the bar back and forth to slow down my momentum. The guy hooked me up to another rope, I climbed up a ladder to a higher part of the tree and started the second part of the zipline. It was more great views and flying through the forest and when I saw the final platform I started to break but wasn't having much success and thank goodness for the padding on the tree because I smacked right into it! My bad! I climbed down the tree and watched as Helen came in and had a much smoother landing than me :)
Ziplining!
Afterwards we got back in the van and headed to our next activity, rappelling down the waterfall. Now being in the thick forest it was already somewhat chilly and it was a cloudy day and had started to rain so that made it even colder. But, majority ruled and we went down the waterfall and not just a rock wall. Rappelling is somewhat difficult because you need to keep your legs straight out and not bend your knees. Then, you just sort of walk down the wall with your feet flat against it. However, the rocks were wet and slippery because it is in between two waterfalls. Needless to say, I leaned back and bent my knees. I sort of rolled a little bit but then got my balance and continued my descent and then all of a sudden I was in a waterfall! I couldn't open my eyes but saw down a bit and noticed I was on the small bridge and safely made it down. It was a really cool experience and I'm glad I did it but I don't think I'll ever do it again! Ziplining though, I'll definitely do that again!
Buenos Aires update: Everything is great here! Leaves are out, flowers are blooming, subte is getting hotter (I see people faint all of the time, mostly women), classes are going well (just got a 100 on a quiz!), apartment had some ceiling leakage issues but got those taken care of, I've started running in the parks now that the weather is nice and I see new things there everyday! One time I saw more than 200 dogs in one of the parks, another time there was a huge dance party being led by some old ladies, and another time two girls were handing out nutrigrain bars to the runners! College students at the public universities have been protesting for the past month and not going to class because many of their buildings are falling apart. So my friends at the public schools have just been hanging out! Lucky!! Oktoberfest in Cordoba and Villa General Belgrano (about 10 hours away) is the next weekend and then my parents will be here in 2 weeks from today! Miss you all! Un beso!
this is BALLIN!
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