Apparently Foz do Iguazu, which is one of the world’s greatest waterfalls, on the border between Argentina and Brazil, was created by a perturbed Indian God. When a Guarani Indian boy took off down the river with the woman whom the God had the hots for, the God made the river collapse in front of them and there they were - Foz do Iguazu. I tell you, that must have been one pissed off God ´cause those are some mighty falls. It is awe-inspiring standing where the water sprays surrounded by palm size butterflies in thousands that look like flowers with wings. It should be absolutely mandatory to see the falls from both sides – the Argentine and the Brazilian side. The Argentine side gives you an idea of its power and might. There is a point where one can walk very close up to the falls and it is called something that translates to the mouth of the devil because thousands of gallons of water fall every second into an immense abyss far below. The sound is overwhelming and the contrast amazing as you just look a little to the side and see the most tranquil water floating slowly closer and closer to the edge where it will eventually crash down into a violent cascade. To get out to the falls you have to walk small little see-through bridges and you will see turtles and shiny silvery fish swimming in the clear water underneath. Because it is in the jungle you may also get lucky and spot a Tuscan or two in addition to you may just sweating and puffing away the humidity and heat. From the Brazilian side you will see the size of the falls and come to realize that this humongous horseshoe consists of numerous falls falling over the cliffs, running into each other. It is absolutely beautiful. Small falls, medium falls and large falls all co-exist covering the mountain wall in water and rainbows.
I also had some interesting encounters while in Iguazu. As I was staring at the falls I put my chocolate wrapper filled bag on the ground. When I looked down, there was Mr. Anteater chewing his way into my bag looking for goodies with his long trunk. We were even after I blinded him with my flash, though. These animals are so accustomed to tourist they have no shame or fear and will smell anything edible you may have in your bag or pocket. They seem harmless but I would not recommend feeding or petting them.
The Brazilian side also has a restaurant with huge porch that allows you to drink an overpriced beer as you are enjoying the amazing view.
The falls are located in a National Park and there are various hike paths that one can take as opposed to riding the little choo-choo train provided by the park authorities.
It is probably best to see the falls in two days as there is no border crossing by the falls. Also, at the border your passport need to be stamped, the bus will wait for you as you run in and get this done. If not, just show your bus ticket and get on the next bus that goes over the borders between Brazil and Argentina.
I chose to stay in one of the many guesthouses on the Argentine side as this town is considered slightly safer then the town on the Brazilian side. It is a very hot place with red dirt roads and many stores selling indigenous craft from the Guarani Indians and knickknacks related to the falls.
Also, there is an enormous dog and cat population running lose in this little town. At night I was admiring the full moon hanging from a starry eyed sky. I was also very much looking forward to my beauty sleep as it had suffered from nights sleeping on buses. However, at 2.30 the whole neighborhood’s dog and cat residents bawling outside my window, woke me up. It is a horrendous noise that goes deep into the bones. It was not much more comforting knowing that there was only about a three-inch wall separating me and the entire dog and cat population in Iguazu howling at the full moon shining beautifully on the other side of the window. I thought most of them were rather harmless though, and thinking of the beauties of the falls easily put me back in a dreamy state.
Foz do Iguazu may be out of the way of most major cities and sites but it is absolutely not to be missed and there are several airlines that fly there daily.