Iguazu Falls

Well, it was a bit of a ball ache to get here, as we nearly had to stay in Rio for another night. We got the ferry back from Ihla Grande, which was all fine, we got the first one back, so we could make the most of the day to travel. When we got into port, our aim was to get to Sao Paulo, then get an overnight bus to Foz Du Iguazu, on the Brasilian side. Problem arose when there werent any buses to Sao Paulo, well none that werent already full, so off we went back upto Rio to see if we could do the same from there. When we got to Rio, there was a real arsey women who was at the desk which sold tickets to Iguazu, and basically told us the price, then pretty much laughed at us when we asked we wanted to go today! So that route wasnt on the cards either, but to cut a long story short, we ended up waiting 6 hours in Rio bus station, and got an overnight ticket to Coritiba, a smallish town, on the way to iguazu, which when we got there in the morning, had no trouble in finding a route to Iguazu.

So Eventually we arrived at the hostel pretty late on in the day, so just did the necessaries, and hit the sack.

Today we were going to go to the Brasilian side, and then later in the afternoon go to the Itaipu Dam, which for all you geeks out there is the biggest Outputting Hydroelectric plant in the world! The pictures explain themselves really for both, although when we got to the dam, the picture i wanted to take, of the sheer volume of water going through the slack gates (the gates that let the water not used by the plant through) we didnt even stop at, but we did briefly go into Paraguay....another ticked off the list! So by the time we had done all that, i was knackered and again, had an early night...after a few cheeky beers of course!!

An early rise was in order the next day, as again we had set ourself a mission. A mission to get across into Argentina, see the Argentinian Falls (Puerto Iguazu) and then catch an overnight bus to Buenos Aires. All went well if im honest, which made a nice change. So we got across the border and into Puerto Iguazu after about 6 bus rides, booked our ticket for the bus later that night, and then headed over to the falls, spent a few hours looking at the immenseness (i know thats not a word....and i dont care....or is it!?) of them (which is pretty spectacular) and back to the bus station in time for the overnighter....RESULT

Again, having been to both Niagra and Iguazu now, im sorry to say Nige, but Iguazu kicks your ass. Its set in such a beautiful setting (the jungle) and with its various walkways, and some 200 in total falls, makes spectacular viewing! it really was amazing, and even though Niagra's sheer volume of water passing through it is mind boggling, i think the beauty of the Iguazu Falls wins in my book hands down!

So from Iguazu like i said before we were heading back to Buenos Aires, which is where i will depart from the present company (Alex and James) then go it solo over to Santiago, and wait for my flight to NZ in a few days!

Ciao