Tim_Day 7- 8 (Iguazy Falls)

Day 7
We woke up early and headed out to see the falls. We bought the more expensive package to ride the boat up the falls. It was well worth it. In the begining we take and old 4x4 truck down to the boat launch on the river. The forest here is thick and heavy jungle. So dense I can´t imagine ever trying to cross it on foot. I bet if you walked a mile in one day that would be an acomplishment.

Right as we got to the boat Ana was using the camera like a japanese tourist clicking at everything. Of course right before we got on the boat to see the falls the battery went dead. Luckily one of the poeple next to use gave us batteries and we were on our way.

We were in a pretty powerful boat working up the strong stream. Was really cool. Then as we turned a corner there was the first glimpse of the falls. They were massive and incredible. Pushing throught the thick jungle. It felt like we were in some jurasic park movie or maybe an indiana jones movie. Really took my breath away.

The driver took us up to the first set of medium sized falls and told us to put all our valuables in the waterproof bags. Then he took us right into the lighers part of the falls. It was incredible to be that close to those falls. It soaked us and was really fun. After that he went to the large falls that were about 30 feet in diameter at the top and put us into that one as well. Was really a rush and we got completely drencghed. Good times.

They let us off and we walked around. We were on the Argentinian side. They had a huge system of bridges that took you to each part of the falls. We spent about 2 hours doing that then took a small trian to see the largest falls called the devil´s throat. You get off the train and walk on a small bridge for about .25 miles and get to the end. Standing on the edge of that bridge was to 20 experinces in my life. The falls went all the way around a huge u shaped bowl and at the bottom where all the water hit was completely white from the mist. It was so magical. The wind blew a sligt breeze onto our faces and covered us with a light mist. The feeling I keep having was I when I die I want some of my ashes let go here. Definetly one of the most beautiful places on earth I´ve been to. Was wonderful to experince that with Ana.

We finally finshed off the park and headed out. We got on a bus headed back to the hostel right before the rain came pouring down. I love the rain here. Makes the jungle smell so good. Nothing like being crammed in an old bus with locals crusing down the street in pouring rain.

The falls took most of the day and in the evening we put on our rain gear (along with the great rain pants my mom made for me and Ana) and ran some erronds.

Day 8
Woke up early again and headed out on our second trip. This time we would see the Brazilian side of the falls and the large damn they built down river of the falls.

Me and Ana were both tired this morning. It was also raining hard in the morning. We´ve been pushing pretty hard and seeing allot. It takes allot of energy to plan and figure out all we are doing. I think the next few days we will try to slow it down and vacation a little. Knowing us though we´ll keep moving. Relaxing is the plan at least for right now.

We took a tour bus to the Brazilian side. Was kind of funny being in a large group with all the old people from the hotels. We had the sticker of the company on our shirts and all. Damn we looked like tourist. Anyways we took the bust to the other side of the falls. It was nice to see the falls from this side. Not as powerful or emotional because I felt so far away but no the less it was breath taking. We walked in the rain for 1.5 hours looking at the falls from the trail. Our rain gear came in really handy this morning.

After the falls we went to have lunch. Lunch that was included in the price?. I thought they were going to give us some bread with jam since that was the same breckfast we got for free at the hostel were staying at. Damn nothing like 3 peices of old bread to fill you up in the morning. But to our surprise they took us to a really nice buffet. Maybe hanging with the old people on the tour buses wouldn´t be so bad? Anyways we ate like pigs. Argentina from what I can tell survives on meat. They have incredible amounts of beef, and chicken, and saugage at most resturants. Man the meat was great. I´ve been trying to eat safe the last week but I threw that out the door at this place. It´s worth the diarehea.

After lunch we went to the damn. Was amazing as well. It´s one of the 7 man made wonders of the world. Impressive. It took 25 years nad 35,000 employess to build. What a monster. They create enought electricity to power 90% or Paruguay and 25% of Brazils power. This damn creates the most power of any hydroelectric plant in the world. I´m glad we got to see it.

We´ll that´s it for now. Were off to go get some groceries and tonight I will a couple tall cans of local beer. Tomorrow we have a 16 hour bus ride to Buenus Aires. Yeaaah my ass can´t wait. Man I can feel my old parachuting but accident when I side for that long. That´s another story though.

t*