Day 1
We arrived at Foz do Iguaçu around 9am, this time I was feeling refreshed after the 14 hour journey having slept for about 12 hours of it! We made our way indoors with a girl Claire that Josh had met whilst I was in my deep sleep. She hadn't chosen her hostel yet so was going to see if ours had any room. We bumped into Fatima and Abdul from our São Paulo hostel and it turns out they'd already met Claire in Paraty when shed been in a larger group. Traveling is a small world! Josh, Claire and I jumped into a taxi to our hostel. It was lovely clean and the two guys that worked there were really helpful. We quickly got changed and all 3 of us made our way to Iguaçu Falls. To explain the feeling that I had when seeing the falls is just indescribable but I will try! They are just out of this world, just massive too, incredible! Definitely one of the most amazing natural beauties I have ever seen. As you walk down to each view point you get closer and closer to the falls. It is impossible to take a photo of the falls as a whole as they are just so big and overwhelming!
We had been told by both the people at our hostel and the people working at the falls to avoid bringing food in as the Coatis would try and steal it. Coatis are stingy little creatures that are around the size of cats and literally spend their life sniffing for food. We'd been told not to annoy them as they could possibly have rabies. Josh and I had some left over fruit which we'd brought with us. Big mistake! Out of nowhere around 3 coatis appeared and in one jump had got through Josh's plastic bag and peeled a quarter of the orange! They then started jumping up fighting each other when Josh had realised and lifted the bag up. They wouldn't leave him alone and tourists were even taking photos of him and the situation! Josh had to run to the nearest restaurant and pass over the bag with the coatis following him close behind.
We walked the 2km trail down to the falls until you get right close up. They offered rain ponchos so we knew we were going to get wet! It was even more amazing to be close up to the falls. As presumed we got soaked but it was worth it! You could see the rainbows being formed by the falls close up it was just incredible! At the end of the trail we all sat down and ate noodles from the touristy restaurant and just spoke about how amazing the experience had been. As you can tell I was just overwhelmed!
After coming out of the national park Josh and I decided to visit the bird park which was more or less opposite. We'd heard that it had a lot of cool tropical birds including Toucans!!! Claire decided to head back to the hostel so back to just Josh and I again! The bird park was the perfect end to the day at the Falls. We walked in and were greeted by lots of tropical parrots that if you said Hola to the repeated it back. We stood for a good while giggling every time that they would reply. We ventured further in seeing more exotic birds including flamingos which I love! We went in a closed off cage part where toucans were just sitting on the ledge observing the passers by. Josh even got to stroke one. They're so cool with their average size bodies and huge beaks! Further into the park we saw eagles and different snakes which was cool. By the exit I spotted a man holding a parrot in a closed of section, I ran over to enquire how much it was to hold them. It was free! Before I could back out I went over and and held him on my arm. He was so funny, chewing some kind of treat he clumsily walked on to my arm like he did the same thing every day. I suppose he does! Josh held him too, then we went over to another section and stroked a snake. The snake was asleep but I still didn't get too close!
We jumped on the 120 bus back to our hostel where Claire was waiting with a load of vegetables for us to cook for diner. Josh and I walked to the local supermarket to pick up some risotto rice and beers to complete the meal :) Josh had a right palaver trying ask the shop assistant where we could find the rice, apparently being passed to loads of different people. Even having to draw a picture of the risotto which I imagine was hard as its just a grain of rice! Josh ended up cooking his risotto for quite a few people in the hostel and got lots of compliments, very impressed with him! We sat round with two German girls I didn't know their names , a guy called Daniel from Germany, a lady called Mir from Switzerland, another lady called Jolene from Netherlands, Carlos and Fabio the receptionists and Claire drinking beers and drinking Cachata with orange. Mir and Daniel are both learning Spanish in Buenos Aires so we took their contact details to meet up when we eventually got there. Eventually we all made our way back to our rooms, I got into my top bunk feeling cold and lonely, so after a while creeped down and shared the single bed with Josh.
Day 2
So today ended up being a lie by our pool and plan day! We had our breakfast early with all the other guys from the hostel. The usual ham cheese and bread! Then josh and I relaxed a bit looking at maps and planning our next step. To be honest it's already changed so much so I doubt our new plan is set in stone! It was boiling hot so a perfect day to just relax. I FaceTimed Mom for an hour so was good to catch up and find out what everyone was doing at home.
Around 5pm we made another risotto with the left overs. Josh is becoming the risotto king! And now the next step of our adventure is booked. A bus at 1am to the capital of Paraguay, Asucion. Claire is going to come woth us too.
Before we went we had a beer at our hostel and played just dance on the kinnect. We were literally sweating buckets! Luckey fellow coach travelers! Haha
Very excited to be moving on to another country! I will miss Brazil, definitely has been my favourite country I've ever visited. I don't think I'm the only person to think this, most travellers we've met so far agree. However I'm sure I will fall in love with every country I visit. Brazil really has not disappointed!!!!