One of the Seven Wonders...

A few months late, here's a look back at stop #2 on our trip to South America in May... 

After a whirlwind four and a half days in Peru we headed to Foz do Iguaçu bright and early after our late night return from Machu Picchu. We had only a few hours of sleep under our belts, but nonetheless we were excited as we headed out for the Cusco airport at 5:30 am!

Emma may have looked grumpy but she loved the Iguaçu Falls! 

We spent about five and half hours of flying with a connection through Lima to eventually find our way to the southeastern corner of Brazil. With a two hour time change it was 7 pm by the time we arrived and we were all exhausted and eager to get a taxi to get to our home base for the next three nights, the Iguassu Resort. The area was very different from the bustling pedestrian and vehicle busy city of Cusco we had just left. We chose to stay outside any of the three border cities of Foz do Iguaçu (Brasil), Puerto Iguazu (Argentina), or Ciudad del Este (Paraguay) and instead found a family friendly resort that was located close to the entrance of the famous Iguaçu Falls, which was the purpose of our stop in this region. 

Most of these photos don't need words... amazing!

If you're not familiar with the Igassu Falls, it's ok (Emma's favorite saying as of late), we weren't originally either. The falls sit on the border of Brazil and Argentina (with Paraguay nearby). They consist of over 250 individual falls that stretch over 1.5 miles and is considered one of the New Natural Seven Wonders of the World. It also is regularly ranked as one of the top few waterfalls in the world. We felt spoiled considering we visited several spectacular waterfalls in Iceland last year, but we quickly realized that this one topped them all. 

After our long day of travel the day before we started a little slow on Tuesday morning before heading out to explore the Brazilian side of the falls. Our resort was on the Brazilian side and only a short cab ride from the falls. Over 80% of the falls actually "drop" or originate on the Argentinean side, so from Brazil we were able to get a better view of the majority of the actual falls.

First view from Brazil looking at the Argentinean side

Pesky coatis...

... that were everywhere and didn't leave you alone, especially if you have food!

                              

My first sight of the falls was beautiful but I wasn't overwhelmed (perhaps it was a result of how spoiled we got on our trip to Iceland last year). I also couldn't help thinking about how muddy the water was, the unfortunate result of deforestation over the last 40 years in the area. However, as we started our mile long trek along the side of the river I started to become increasingly impressed. It became clear just how far the falls stretched. Depending on the season you visit, they say the actual number of falls ranges anywhere from 200 to 300 based on the amount of recent rains. 

Fun family photos!

As a result of the length and size of the falls, there is no one point vantage point where you can actually see the entire falls at once - the only way possible is from the air. However at the end of our one mile trek we came to several viewing platforms where we were able to see a large majority of the falls and literally walk right across the water. It was certainly one of the best experiences of the trip, but I didn't like to think about the logistics of the construction of the platform and the rushing water underneath me. Nonetheless it provided for some amazing views and Emma thought it was hilarious when we got quite wet from all the blowing water around us.

Waterproofed and ready for the trek over the water!

That view was worth getting a little wet...

Emma thought it was hilarious!

All the excitement eventually wore someone out!

I felt like I was a National Geographic photographer!

It was an incredible day enjoying the falls, the photos show proof. When we returned to the resort late that afternoon we had hoped it would be warm enough to enjoy one of the many outdoor pools for Emma, but it was not. Luckily for her we discovered that the resort had an awesome kids club and playground too.

Come Wednesday morning we were all excited for our day trip to Argentina! I know it sounds strange just taking a day trip to Argentina but that's exactly what we did as we were just a few miles from the border. With proof that we paid our Argentinean reciprocity fees prior to our trip in hand, (While Brazil has visitor visas you have to apply for ahead of time, Argentina just has a fee you have to pay online - talk about a good, easy way to earn a few extra dollars from tourists, especially at $160 per person! However, I reasoned it out by saying we simply have to go back to Argentina in the next 10 years) it was a short 15 minute drive to the border crossing and another 20 minutes onto the Argentinean side of the Iguaçu Falls. 

The weather was overcast and misting, but we hardly noticed as we made our way to the top of the waterfalls and the wind was blowing plenty of water from the falls on us as well. Unfortunately all of the mist and wind obscured our view a bit. One thing that we didn't miss was the strength of the falls and the mass amount of water gushing over the side. And even Emma made sure to notice and tell us how muddy the water was and repeatedly would point and tell us "muddy, muddy, muddy" over and over again. 

Falls over Argentina on a misty day

                                        

The highlight of the Argentinean side was without a doubt the 20 minute one way walk over the falls to Garganta del Diablo or "Devil's Throat." The exact border between Brazil and Argentina runs between this long and narrow gorge where approximately half of the fall's water flows through making for an extremely powerful fall. Not only was the walk over the vast stretches of water unreal but so was the up close look at Devil's Throat. Let's just say I was glad we made the walk, but I was really glad to be back on solid ground as well. 

Starting the walk... it almost seemed like we were walking over a flood plain, all we could see was water!

                                  

There were beautiful birds all around!

First look at "Devil's Throat"

The water just fell into an abyss...

By mid-afternoon we felt content with our experience on both sides of the falls and we had a late lunch of empanadas before heading to the Guira Oga Animal Reserve. At the animal rescue we enjoyed a 90 minute tour of the rescued and rehabilitated animals from the region. It was an especially fun stop for Emma, even if the whole tour was in Spanish! At least Steve understood most of it...

My favorite animals in the Reserve... listen closely!

That evening we indulged in more local food at the resort and Emma made some more Brazilian friends at the resort's playground. By the next morning we were ready to catch our flight to our last stop of the trip, Rio de Janeiro.

One last view of amazing...