Puerto Iguacu was our first pit stop in Argentina and we recovered from a 30 hr bus ride from Florianoplolis and spent the first evening exploring the town. The Iguazu Falls is a world renowned natural attraction that straddles the borders of Argentina, Brazil and Paraquay- so, eager to get a glimpse of the falls, we decked ouselves out for a daytrip and made our way 20 mins from the town to the Argentinian side of the falls. Undoubtedly, the Iguazu Falls are one of the most magnificent natural landscapes I have seen in the world - lush, green forest surrounds a huge area scattered with waterfalls in every direction such that no single view point offers the same perspective of the falls...The weather was warm for the first half of the day while we took enough pictures to sink a freight liner but a full blown terrential downpour began at the latter half of the day. We gave up on hopes of being dry and braved the elements as we walked the trail out to "Devil´s throat" - the point at which many waterfalls converge and masses of water erupt into a rocky chasm below ... (these are the picture on my blog with Nicki, Heidi, Peter and I where we are all soaked) .

We celebrated heartily with our new friends in town that night and payed for it very dearly the next day..Thus, a day later swearing never again to drink tequila shots from large glass teacups & attempt to dance salsa into the wee hours of the morn, we crossed the border back into Brazil to Foz de iguacu. In Foz, we viewed the Brazilian side of the falls and explored the spectacular Bird park across the road- every manner of toucan, Macaw, owl and other impressive species lined the enclosures. While it was sad seeing such magnificent birds behind bars, many were there for conservation programmes to protect dwindling populations so this was reassuring and a necessary evil one might argue.. Further, the enclosures were very spacious and were modelled on the bird´s own natural habitat.. getting swooped by a friendly Macaw as big as my arm reminded me we were still in their territory as we marvelled at the creatures.

Returning to Purto Iguacu, we bussed it down to Buenos Aires again appreciative of the wine champagne and fine dining-on-a-bus-experience offered on the long journey. Unfortunately, our good fortune was to take a turn for the worst as we arrived at Buenos Aires bus terminal...As we were waiting with the bags , Nicki and I were distracted by separate people feigning the need for help while a third person snatched her backpack ...we barely turned for a split second but it was enough time for the thieves to scam us out of many of our backed up photos, Nickis jewellry, IPOD, clothes etc that were in the bag..so, after securing our belongings at a hostel, our initiation to BA was a 7 hour wait at the police station while we awaited a report... Nicki was very upset and our first few days in BA were tainted by the loss of such sentimental, irreplacable items..

Nevertheless, Nicki drowned her sorrows in shopping and I in big, juicy steaks as thick as my thumb and a slong as my forearm..

Speaking with a local Argentinian at a bar one night, I discovered more about soem of the social problems facing the country..The Argentinian stockmarket crashed around 5 years ago and thus, poverty has affected many people who once lived comfortably- strangely, this is a face of poverty I have not seen elsewhere- well dressed people, who still value pride in appearance, yet at times cannot afford to eat properly...as a result, tough times, begging and stealing are evident , particularly in BA as it is a big city..

Anyway, one better appreciates a life with challenges so we are trying to remain optimistic despite a small speed bump along the way.. I for one will be looking to brighter times ahead and dreaming of my next Argentinian steak!