Iguacu falls – Brasilian side
Tuesday, October 19th, 2010Day 48 Saturday 16/10 Lagoa/ bus to Foz
It was a stressful start to the day as I had to call and cancel my credit card. It took a while. The thief who stole my money was also a devious son of unwed parents! He took down the number of the credit card and put it back. Unfortunately for him, I was keeping a close eye on my transactions since I figured there might be a chance he might have done the very thing. He also was stupid to use it at the hostel, so the owner is on his track. I hope the sky falls on him 🙂
Took it easy the rest of the day. Went for a short walk, and then to the organic fair at the square. Lovely food. I do take the markets in Seattle for granted. I have missed that here in Brasil. Floripa is about the only place that I have been able to have some vegetarian food! I bought some granola, nuts and had a suco verde (green juice) – I have no idea what they put it in though they made it in front of me.
Spent the rest of the afternoon lounging at the hostel, chatting to my fellow travellers, playing some pool and relaxing. Getting psyched for another long bus ride!
Day 49 Sunday 17/10 Foz
Another 14 hour bus ride. It was a bit uncomfortable, but I was lucky that the seat next to me wasnt occupied. Being short has its advantages!
The hostel provides a free pick-up service, although it is but barely a km away. Who am I to complain with a 14 kg backpack?
The ride to the Brasilian side of the falls took about an hour. The entry fee was a bit steep, and there isnt a lot to do on the Brasilian side without breaking your piggy bank. The only free options are the bus rides and a 1 km hike to Garganto del Diablo, the devil’s throat, the most impressive of the waterfalls. It was also my first look at Argentina, as the falls are shared by Brasil and Argentina.
There are multiple falls on the way to the Devil’s throat. The falls are spectatuclar. Step aside, Niagra! It was hard to see the bottom of some of the falls, since the mist from the fall covered them! We all got very wet. Luckily I had anticipated the mist, taking my raintcoat with me and had also taken care to wrap my wallet in plastic.
Got to the hostel after spending 2-3 hours taking in the splendour of the water and the sound. Ah, the mighty roar of water! I love the sound of the water hitting the rocks below as it plunges down 100s of meters! I also enjoy the sound of waves, especially the sound of waves as they die against cliffs. I hope that no psychoanalyst reads my blog, for I am not sure I want to know what it means 🙂
Ran into some folks I had met in the hostel I stayed in Floripa. A chat with my fellow travllers, a nice dinner at the hostel and it is time to go to bed, late by my standards, but hey, it is after all my last night in Brasil . “And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing rover and quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trip’s over”
Damu