Iguazu Falls, Argentina
This might be the most beautiful place on earth.
The Iguazu River creates the border of Argentina and Brazil, so you can either see the falls from the Brazil side or the Argentina side. If you ever go and have to choose one or the other – the Argentina side is better😊 Iguazu National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This the description:
The semicircular waterfall at the heart of this site is some 80 m high and 2,700 m in diameter and is situated on a basaltic line spanning the border between Argentina and Brazil. Made up of many cascades producing vast sprays of water, it is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. The surrounding subtropical rainforest has over 2,000 species of vascular plants and is home to the typical wildlife of the region: tapirs, giant anteaters, howler monkeys, ocelots, jaguars and caymans.
I was dying to see a giant anteater. DYING. I also really really wanted to see a capybara. But it didn’t happen. Luckily, I didn’t see any monkeys either. I did see a lot of the coatis, which are grotesque, repulsive beasts that no one should ever have to encounter.
I stayed at the Sheraton, and it is the only hotel on the Argentina side in the National Park. I got possibly the best free room upgrade ever, so I had a balcony room with a falls view😍
I had the idea before I went to Iguazu that I would be able to walk around the park at night because the hotel is inside the park. Not so. The park is closed at 6pm until 8am. It’s for the best, it would be dangerous in the dark I suppose, especially with the jungle leopards roaming about.
There are two trails to walk – upper and lower – that give different views of the various waterfalls. It was all beautiful and amazing. The way they have designed the walkways and the views they allow is really impressive. Not only did I love the water views, but there is unspoiled jungle surrounding your walk the entire way. So, when you’re not gazing on the beautiful cascades, you’re walking through beautiful green trees, listening the birds, and smelling the fresh air. Really special.
You can also take a boat to closer into the falls, and it goes to the Brazil side as well. I don’t have pictures of that – I didn’t take any camera because I didn’t want it to get wet – but definitely a must-do. The other option is to take a helicopter ride to see the falls from above, which I’m sure is spectacular, but I passed on that one😆.
The velocity of the water fall creates a constant water spray above most of the cascades. So much so that at times it felt like it was raining at my hotel because of the water spray that was drifting all the way there! So cool.
My only regret is that I’m told that once you see Iguazu, then Niagara is very underwhelming. Which kind of sucks because I haven’t seen Niagara Falls, and I’ve wanted to go, and now I feel like it will suck😆 It’s cool though, I can skip Niagara and go to the Grand Canyon instead. Three different European people I met, when talking to them and telling them about my trip, the Grand Canyon came up, and when I told them I had never been they were like, “WHAT?! You’ve been all over the world, and you’ve never seen the amazing Grand Canyon, which is in your own backyard!?” Yah, total guilt trip. And they’re right😂
Here are my pics and videos:
Next up: Alas, Terminus.😢 Buenos Aires.
Are you allowed to bring plant cuttings home? I’m looking for a couple cutting of this plant.
Iochroma australe is a rare Brugmansia relative with miniature blue Angel’s Trumpet flowers. This large bush from Argentina becomes smothered with 2 inch blooms from spring through summer, creating a huge ball of blue! In full bloom, it is truly spectacular!
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I didnt see any here in Buenos😐 They sound beautiful!
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