The Falls

In touch with nature

Saturday morning came a little too soon for the three of us staying in the hostel in Argentina considering we had been up fairly late trying to locate our fellow travelers, but that didn't stop us from getting one of the first buses to the Argentine national park. Danny planned the entire trip except for my small role in booking the hostel and I am tempted to post the emails he sent outlining our agenda. We had the whole day planned out almost to the minute, and we all trusted Danny because I think he might have become TripAdvisor's most avid reader since arriving in Brazil.

When we arrived at the park after taking a bus ride we decided it might be best to buy the tickets for the boat tour first and then start hiking, catching the boat tour at the end of the day (since the boat tour takes you under the curtain of the falls). Of course, once we got there and talked to the tour guides we were left discussing the pros and cons of every possible combination of activities and when to do them. Not that I'm complaining; we planned the perfect day. I'm just trying to stress how accountants handle travel arrangements.

After much debate we decided to hop on the boat tour first, or as the park calls it, the "Great Adventure." This included a truck ride through the rainforest to the boat, where we packed all our belongings in plastic bags and raced down the rapids to the falls. Although my clothes didn't dry for the rest of the day, the first view of the falls from the boat was amazing. It was the cumulation of all the research, planning, worrying, expenses, and it was breathtaking. (Warning: The post is going to be picture heavy.)

One of the 1000 Places to See Before You Die

On the boat before getting soaked

The boat ride ended with the boat going into the falls themselves twice. We did not get misted on, we did not just get wet, we got drenched. It was almost scary when you are getting bombarded with water and realize that is because you are under one of the biggest waterfalls in the world. Long story short, good thing we brought a change of dry clothes.

After the boat tour we decided to take the ferry to San Martin island, located between the two sides of the falls. There on a rocky beach we had a picnic that I had bought on Thursday in Sao Paulo and transported all the way to Foz do Iguaçu (needless the say, anything perishable was out). We did have a good variety of cookies and Pringles, along with veggies and fruit, and for protein a stick of salami. We had more than enough food because the picnic was originally packed for ten people.

Lunch of Champions

After fueling up we decided to take a hike around San Martin Island, and we all agreed it had some of the best views of the day. But don't take my word for it (although pictures don't do it justice). The sun even peaked out for a bit to display a rainbow. This was after I changed my clothes in a restricted area on the island where I'm pretty sure a tour group saw me shimmying into my skinny jeans. I also changed my shirt in the middle of the beach, got a couple of whistles, and Danny threatened to beat the guy up (not to the guy's face because I don't think Danny is the fighting type). 

Danny and the rainbow

Once back on the mainland we explored the lower paths and took plenty more pictures.

Evidence: Laura and me

After getting our fill of those views we hopped aboard a train headed to Garganta del Diablo, or the Devil's Throat. After getting off the train we walked basically into the middle of the river and saw Foz do Iguaçu's crown jewel. So amazing, so powerful, so awe inspiring. We just lingered there for the longest time watching the water fall.

Garganta del Diablo

Like a black hole

Girlies

Danny and Me

It was nearing the end of the day so we ran (literally ran) to the bus stop to get a bus back to our hostel. We were booked to go on the moonlight tour because it was a full moon that weekend but unfortunately it was too cloudy and we were foiled. Instead we had dinner with two girl we had met on the bus on the way back to the hostel. Both girls were from Princeton and pursuing projects from grants in Argentina and Brazil. We had a nice time hearing their stories and talking with other college students. After ice cream it was time to turn in, although I could not resist rocking in the hammock outside our hostel for a few minutes before heading to bed.