A good soaking!

Hello everybody!

I didn't post yesterday as we had a full day out in the National Park and the falls and all we wanted to do when we got back to the guest house was have a beer (or two) and relax, then we had to pack as another early start today for our onward flights.

Yesterday was insane - and I mean that it in a good way.  We thought Friday was good with what we saw of the falls, but yesterday was something else altogether! We were collected at 7:45 by Lilian, our guide who was superb, despite being 4 months pregnant, she was brilliant in ensuring everything went to time and we were constantly being provided with information, no question asked would be left unanswered.

We collected 4 more travelers on the way - 4 young Australian girls, and then it was across the border back into Argentina (YAY more passport stamps) and into the National Park on the other side of the falls from where we were the previous day.  Having being previously told that 75% of the falls were in Argentina, yesterday was a little less about the panoramic views and more about the closeness we were able to get to them.  Our first stop was a short train ride which took us close to Devils Throat, a 10min walk across platforms snaking out over the river and we were literally on top of the fall.  The noise was incredible, the views breathtaking.  The shear power of this fall was phenomenal.

We then headed back and started a trek through the jungle getting viewpoints of some of the falls on the Brazilian side, but also seeing the few falls in Argentina that we couldn't see from Brazil.  Walking through the rainforest, seeing the wildlife, and emerging on platforms over the falls is something that will stay with me a long time.  I'm aware i'm constantly repeating myself with "insane" "amazing" "breathtaking" etc, so I'll stop before I bore you all, but seriously, I just cannot begin to detail what we experienced.

Following this walk, we stopped for lunch before hitting the optional extra tour that we all immediately signed up for - a speedboat ride!  This started with a 20 minute drive through the jungle in a huge 4x4 tank like jeep, we then all boarded a speedboat, having being provided with lifejackets and waterproof bags for cameras etc.  The ride went up river, charging through the rapids - a real rollercoaster experience.  We stopped and had the chance to take photos from a vantage point that we wouldn't otherwise have had, and then instructed that now was the time to put everything in the bags and seal them....the boat then went right up close to one of the smaller falls.  We got a little damp - slight spray from the fall and that was about it - turns out that was a teaser.  The captain then sped around a corner and pretty much ploughed full on into a larger fall - we were drenched, but Oh My God what a thrill!  The water was so cooling in the 34C heat of midday! If only we'd taken our shampoo and soap!  We emerged, the guide laughing and saying "one more" - obviously we said yes and of we went again for another shower.

It didn't take long to dry out and luckily I decided to take my t-shirt off and put that in the bag so at least that was dry - took a little longer for my shorts to dry out though!

The day was at an end and we made our way back across the border into Brazil and back to the guesthouse...half way there and Steve realised that his passport hadn't been stamped on entry to Brazil!  The border control is somewhat lax.  We don't need to present our passports and no one comes to check we are who the passports say we are.  The guide just takes them all, gets them stamped and then we drive off.  Needless to say our guide wasn't happy with the border control woman and we turned back to get Steve's stamp.  It may not have caused an issue, but best to be safe!

Our last night was spent lazing round the pool after another meat fest at the local Churasco restaurant.  A few more games of cards and chatting with the Australian girls who were now in the same gueest house.  We introduced them to the local Supermarket - Super Muffato - which in itself always causes a giggle - and we purchased a few more mixers to go with Natasha.  For those that haven't seen the facebook pcture, Natasha is a brand of Vodka in Brazil that is extremely cheap - £3.5 for a litre - and has quite a kick.  The phrase "Oh Natasha, she's a dirty b***h and by god she's cheap"

It was time for bed, I was shattered - I hadn't been sleeping too well at the guest house - I was in a small single bed, and was hanging out of it! The A/C was too noisy, but without it on it was too warm.  Topped off with the shower not really being that great I was feeling grubby and drained.  I have really enjoyed Iguazu - With a Z as I'm back in Argentina now ;) - but I was looking forward to a proper bed and a proper shower!

This morning - another early start - 7:45 pick up to head to the airport - it all got confusing as once we cross the border our watches went back an hour, so we technically arrived at the before we'd set off.  My flight was at 9:30, heading to Mendoza and Steve and Leigh were heading back to Buenos Aires.  They have 2 more nights there then they go home to the UK, for me, I have another 11 nights here.  I'm going to miss having them around - we've had such a laugh over the past 11 days!  I arrived ahead of schedule, the views of the Andes coming into land were amazing!  My hotel is nice and clean and the first thing I did was shower - it felt so good to be clean again!

I've been out for a walk - I'm very close to the centre of the city however weekends in Argentina are a non-event - nowhere is open - the same was seen in Buenos Aires.  All the cafes and restaurants were open though so I stopped for a nice beer and a sandwich and now back in my room, forcing myself to stay awake a few more hours before an early night.  I have arranged a tour tomorrow that starts at 7:30, a full day tour that goes high into the Andes and right up to the border of Chile.  The description sounds great so I hope it lives up to it's name! For Tuesday I'm trying to find a good vineyard tour but haven't had much luck yet so that may happen Wednesday instead!

Hope the snow is clearing back home, it's so humid here but I won't talk about that too much ;)