Parana

Arrival in Foz Iguazu

Arriving in the afternoon at Foz Iguazu Airport, we had a taxi take us into the city. Our accommodation is a kind of motel; it has comfortable rooms, a pool, minibars and a reception. After settling our luggage, we take a long walk into the centre. The city is a bit anonymous but modern; it is bordered by the river that separates it from Paraguay and Ciudad del Este. The wide avenues are not very busy, but we manage to find a taxi that allows us to cross the bridge and go into Paraguay (see the relevant itinerary). After a very brief visit to a shopping mall, we return to Brazil by crossing the bridge. The taxi driver first stops at a tourist market, then takes us to our hotel. Walking would have been harder than on the way out because our accommodation is on an uphill street. At reception we get information on how to reach the Argentine side of the falls tomorrow.

In the evening we again walk the avenue leading into the city, stopping at a restaurant for dinner. The meal is delicious and plentiful; we taste some little eggs whose bird we don't know, try a series of appetisers on the waiter's recommendation, and then eat a very good asado. After all, we are just steps from Argentina, the homeland of asado. To digest, it is enough to walk back to the hotel along the gently uphill street. Good night.

Waterfalls at night

On the advice of the reception of the Guest House where we stayed in Foz Iguazu, my travel companion and I take a bus to the Argentine border where we get off to fill out the exit form. The two customs areas (Brazilian and Argentine) are separated by a bridge that crosses the Iguazu. After completing the quick procedures at Brazilian customs, we cross to the other side of the bridge. In the afternoon, on our return from Argentina, we quickly get the entry stamp again but have to wait some time to take the first available bus to Foz Iguacu. Once back at the lodging we spend a few hours between the room and the pool in the courtyard. In Argentina we met two young Italians from Anacapri, brother and sister, who informed us that exceptionally tonight the Falls Park on the Brazilian side will be open.

In fact, there is a full moon and that is why this opportunity is offered at a reduced price. To not waste time we have dinner at a fast food place because we would like to see the sunset over the Falls but we won't manage it due to the long wait for the first bus heading to the Park. While waiting for the vehicle we meet the Italian guy we met in Argentina who is jogging on the road. Finally the bus arrives and in about half an hour takes us to the Park entrance when unfortunately it is already dark. There are few visitors who took advantage of this evening opening; with a vehicle they take us in about twenty minutes from the entrance to the panoramic terrace over the Falls illuminated by the faint moonlight. In fact we can only see the part of the Falls near the terrace overlooking the Devil's Throat.

I also try to tackle the long walkway that leads into the middle of the gorge but then give up due to poor visibility, I risked getting wet for nothing. We do a reconnaissance of the place, also entering the large Restaurant, then take the bus again that takes us to the exit and from here we leave the Park and, having taken the first available vehicle, return to Foz Iguacu. Walking along the uphill road that leads to our lodging we stop at a place full of young people for which we have a voucher for a beer offered to us yesterday by the taxi driver who took us on the short tour in Paraguay. There are many people also because it is next to a renowned Disco and it is Saturday night. End of the evening with a walk to the lodging where we retire for the night.

Gargantua del Diablo

This morning we take the bus and return to the Falls Park where we already went last night. There are many people and unlike yesterday we have to queue both to buy the entrance ticket and to take the vehicle that in about twenty minutes leads to the Falls. We get off a little before the last stop where we had arrived last night because we want to observe the Falls passing along a trail in the forest. It is a completely different view compared to yesterday on the Argentine side and I couldn't say which of the two sides is better, they both deserve it. Of course the Devil's Throat seen in optimal conditions on a beautiful sunny day is spectacular. We enter the heart of the Gorge by walking the long pedestrian walkway while we are continually struck by the water spray. The roar of the Falls plunging down, the amphitheater of water embracing us, everything is spectacular.

Surely the most beautiful Falls I have ever seen. More beautiful than Victoria, Niagara pales in comparison. The Park is well equipped and here too, as in Argentina, there are the coatis, of which we witness a mating. Very satisfied, we take the vehicle again for the Park exit. A few steps from the Iguacu Falls Park there is a zoo dedicated to birdlife. It is not large but decidedly interesting and well kept. Besides the inevitable parrots there are many other birds such as the red ibis. It is certainly worth spending an hour to visit it also because the route winds through a forest. Some birds are in large aviaries, some of which are so large that you can easily enter them. Inside we had lunch in the Refreshment area. Back in Foz Iguacu by vehicle, we spent the afternoon in our lodging also taking advantage of the small pool in the courtyard.

In the evening we went to dinner in a Restaurant together with the two siblings from Anacapri met yesterday in Argentina. Back at the Hotel we waited at the Reception for the taxi to come and take us to the Airport.

Departure from the Paraná

During the night we take the flight to Rio de Janeiro from where, changing Airports, we will fly to Brasilia and from there to Manaus.