Descent of Speed

I had never heard of Iguassu Falls until I visited Brazil last year and someone made an off the cuff remark about some waterfalls nearby. This year when I was trying to decide where to go I did some research. The falls are among the top falls in the world, and the highest ranked in terms of the new seven wonders list. The falls are huge, they are tall, and wide, with a ton of water going over them. Apparently there are 270 some falls, but altogether they make one immense wonder of nature.

It took me almost 3o hours of travel to get here, and while it may not be worth it just to see the falls, they are definitely worth the visit if you are in the area.

I went to the Brazilian side of the falls today. Most of the falls lie in Argentina, but the more panoramic view is in Brazil. There is 1.2 k walk that lets you see the falls. When I first started, I was thinking the falls were huge, and massive, and pretty cool. Until I realized I was only seeing half of them!

The day started off overcast, but even after the clouds came out the falls made such a mist they were hard to see at times. There is a walk way that lets you out in the center of the falls, the portion called Devil’s Throat. You will get soaked if you walk out to the end. There are two stories of falls, and the walk way takes you out to the very edge of one, so you are looking straight down the falls.

There is an long 1.2 K panaromic walkway that takes you along the river, where you can see most of the falls. The walkway terminates at the fall, and lets you take an elevator up to the top of the falls. This elevator is about 3 meters from the edge of the fall. You will probably get wet entering the elevator! Just below the enterance of the elevator is a walkway that allows you to get even closer to the water. You are guaranteed to get wet here.

When I visited Niagra Falls there was a butterfly conservatory nearby. Here in the jungle I felt like I was n that conservatory. There were butterflies everywhere!

On the way out of the national park, I stopped at the Pargue das Aves, a bird zoo. It was filled with parrots and macaws and other local birds (and some not so local.) There were a few walk through aviariums. It was amazing how friendly the birds were. It was amusing watching people trying to get close to take a picture of a bird, while another bird snuck up behind the person! One bird united this one guys shoes. This place was worth a 2 hour visit.

I finished the day at a magical place, a Brazilian BBQ. The meat just keeps coming, until you scream No Mas! I was disappointed though, I didn’t have a red/green coaster.