Our first 18 hour bus ride to the Iguazu Falls was not as bad as we expected. We arrived into the town only to find that the hostel we hoped to stay in was completely booked. Instead, we found a spot at a less glamorous place nearby. Curious to see the falls, we woke up early and headed out despite the fact that it was downpouring. Our first sights of the falls were from below and we were pretty stunned at how big they were. I, however, was not yet convinced that it was worth the 18 hour bus ride we took to get there. The next step was actually going into the falls on a boat ride. When I say we went "into" the falls, I mean it in every sense of the word; I felt like we were in a dunk tank and the driver just kept putting us in and out of the falls until there was not one ounce of dry clothing on our bodies. I can't tell you if the view was good, as we were virturally under water the whole time. After this we took a small hike onto an island that was in the middle of some of the falls and at this point I was beginning to be convinced the bus ride was worth it. We were literally right above what we thought was the largest fall-the devil´s throat-and got a little bit more wet as the rain picked up. After lunch we took a stroll over the upper pass and the views just kept getting better and better. We literally got to walk on top of the waterfalls. If we looked to our right we saw seemingly calm water and if we looked to our left we saw that same water crashing over the edge of one of the 250 falls in the area. At this point we were both a little gitty from the view and content with going home, thinking that was all to see. Just to make sure, we asked a tour guide if we had seen it all. Apparently we hadn't even gone to the largest fall (devil´s throat)! How stupid are we? We hopped on a 20 minute train ride and were instructed to walk across man made metal paths to get to the main fall. Looking back the sensation of walking across the paths was so odd. We were literally walking across water that seemed to be leading nowhere, until we actually made it somewhere, and that was to this ridiculously large waterfall that looked like it reached all the way down to the center of the earth. It was so white from all the water crashing that Jess and I concluded if we were to jump in we would be able to walk straight across. Don't worry, we didn't try. Unfortunately since it was raining so hard we didn´t get great pictures, but here is one:
Anyhow, after the falls we spent the worst day of our lives trying to get to Brazil. After crossing the border we arrived to the land of the portuguese speaking people...aka we had no idea what was going on...ever. I never thought I would wish that someone was able to speak Spanish...but I did and yes it was THAT bad. We somehow managed to get to the right bus station to get us to the other right bus station to buy our bus ticket to Florianopolis leaving that afternoon. To make a very very long story short, we didn't consider that the time would have changed when we crossed the border and we missed our bus. When we finally got "placed" on another bus to god only knew where, we were just relieved to be going somewhere. Anyhow, 4 hours later we were instructed to get off the bus and and get on another, and 15 hours after that we arrived in Florianopolis with no idea where to go. We hopped on another bus to somewhere and found an internet cafe to look for a hostel. To make another long story short, the afternoon ended with our savior (Ida, owner of a nearby hostel) picking us up from the internet cafe and bringing us to the hostel. We love her.
As for right now we are soaking up some sun on the beach and loving every minute of it. The beach is gorgeous and probably one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Instead of heading back to Buenos Aires, as we planned, we think we are going to stay here a bit longer and then head up to Sao Paulo. We need a vacation from our vacation.
New pictures are now up so take a look!
4 comments:
It sounds like you two got waterfalls out of your system, I'm glad because I'll be there soon and I do not want to spend my x-mas vacation under waterfalls, As you can see, we all want more writing and pictures!! And how about Jessica's writing skills, you spent 4 years at BU did you take one writing class?? Let's see what you have to say. Amanda you are doing a great job, keep it up, it is much appreciated. See you soon. Love ya. xoxo
I'm so glad to read about and see your trip through the pictures. Those falls, wow, and I was sure they couldn't have been that much better than Niagra with all that brown muck at the bottom. But of all the pictures "sexy man in speedo" was my favorite--I'm sure I'm not alone there. Guessing you won't be seeing a White Christmas this year.
All this traveling around to look at water? We have water here and as I type its raining. Buses, you want to ride on a bus and not know where you're going or not have any idea what language is being spoken, go to the Bronx. Heck if you want to forget the bus ride and just deal with the mystery language thing walk down my block. You do have me with the people going out of their way to help you out, even picking you up and taking you to the place you want to be. Here they sure would be happy to pick you guys up but I don't think you'd like where you wound up. Spoke to your mom before and she said you girls are on a beach apparently without sunscreen (you jerks) and having a pretty good time. Well don't think I'm even the slightest bit jealous, as I said its raing here and even though I didn't get to ride on a boat I did get soaked walking the dog.
Stay safe and remember eat fiber, its good for you
ok, so I went to a christmas party at a guys house last night who lived in Brazil for thirty years. He gave me some good info. Also at the party were a few people who just came back from Sao Paulo and Rio. Whatever you do, don't get into a cab unless the hotel orders it for you or another trusted person. On the street, you will be robbed or attempted, that's a fact they said. They were scaring me to say the least! I'm happy to be spending most of your time in Brazil with you in that case but until I get down there, be careful!!!!! See you soon. Love ya.
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