How wet can you get?

So after our very soggy day in Rio, we woke to a sunny clear morning. Unfortunately all there was time for was to pack up and head to the airport ahead of our flight to Iguassu Falls. The falls are located on the boarder of Brazil and Argentina, just south of Paraguay. Being that close to all three countries, each take a proprietorial hold over them but there is basically a Brazillian side and an Argentinian side.

After the wait at the airport, the flight and making our way to the hostel (with a speed mad bus driver who tortured the three of us and our backpacks with speed, swerving and rapid braking) we arrived at El Shaddai, our hostel for the night. It was absolutely gorgeous. The people were so friendly and the whole place was extremely quaint. It was a quiet and safe area but everywhere here people live behind high fences, topped with barbed wire, usually video cameras and guard dogs. It is a little unnerving but a very friendly place otherwise.

It had been a long day and Amy has a cold (she is on the mend) so we just found a place for dinner and went to bed fairly early.

Today dawned beautiful and clear. It is considerably cooler here than in Rio, the top was maybe high teens, low twenties but very comfortable and the sun and clear skies were lovely. We took our time getting ready and farewelled the lovely people at El Shaddai before making our way (with a much calmer bus driver) out to the falls.

It costs $B21 to get in, and once in you board busses which drop you at various locations in the park. We chose to get off at a walk that takes you through the jungle to the falls, but to our surprise you could see them from the first corner you turn. They are as truly magnificent, in fact awesome was the word I used, as they are made out to be. Miles of stunning individual waterfalls, culminating (or rather starting really) in the massive devil's throat fall. The walk was 1.2km but flew by as more falls were revealled. We also spotted monkeys, racoons and numerous butterflies. Amy who loves racoons was particularly thrilled by them.

At the end of the walk is a catwalk out in front of the falls. We made our way out, but desipte the warnings we would get very wet there was only a light spray. It was brilliant being able to get out and so close to them - although little did we know about how close we would end up later in the day!

We headed up for some lunch, at which point we came across the racoons. They look very different to the north american versions as the photos will hopefully show. All through the park are instructions not to feed them as they can get very agressive and some have rabies, but people were of course feeding them! The woman holding her 2 year old out to pat them really annoyed me.

We had lunch overlooking the falls, a very nutricious cheeseburger and fries, but were pursued by bees after our coke.

Lunch over, we made our way to the next part of the adventure. Amy, being unwell, stayed sitting in the sun, while Anna and I headed to the river and a jet boat ride! It began with a trip through the jungle during which we saw an agouti (like a giant guinea pig, we couldn't get a photo) and lots of interesting plants which our guide told us about. Then we emerged from the jungle by the river. We knew we would get wet, so had brought our ponchos, left our shoes behind and rolled up our pants.

I was sitting in the very front of the boat with Anna behind, feeling quite secure in my poncho. Sitting next to me was a mad Spaniard who I believe rather fancied me, almost as much as he fancied himself! Between us was the crew member who videoed the ride. We didn't buy the video, hopefully my description will do it justice.


We began making our way up the river over a series of small rapids. This caused a fair bit of bouncing and a little spray - but our ponchos held tight. We paused in front of a whole set of the falls and had the opportuity to get photos from the base of the falls after seeing them from the top.

We then whizzed up the next set of larger rapids and paused again, this time in front of the much larger devil's throat for more photos. Then they collected all the cameras and locked them securely in a waterproof bag as we got right up close to the major falls. They are amazing so close up, but we turned around pretty quickly.

I was quite pleased by how well my waterproofing had worked - until the next phase of the trip, when they drove us right under a couple of the smaller falls!!! Being at the front Anna and I coped the brunt of it. At times the pressure and amount of water actually started panic attacks in both of us, it really felt like we were being forced under the water. But it was exhillirating.

Of course, no waterproofing could stand up to that, we were soaked right to the bone, we might as well not have been wearing the ponchos. But our wet appearance wasn't enough for the driver, he took us to a quieter part of the river and did donuts, creating wake that he drove to, dumping huge amounts of water on us each time! I ended up with litres of water sitting in my lap after each adventure. Overall, it was a fantastic journey, we loved every thrilling, scary, hilarious second.

Luckily we had our packs at the park so were able to get into dry clothes before the journey over the border. Only issue was that neither of us could easily reach our bras so entered Argentina bra-less. We caught a bus, then a cab (with a fantastic driver who helped us through the various customs processes) and found our new hostel, Timbo Posada. It is the cutest place we have stayed so far, lots of wood, lovely artistic touches (they also have a handicrafts store) a pool surrounded by lush tropical plants and breakfast is served in an open air kitchen, kind of like a cabana.

Tomorrow we will see the falls from the Argentine side which we are told is quite a different experience, but our real aim is to see a tucan.