Iguazu Falls - So Darn Beautiful

Today we went to the national park for Iguazu Falls on the Brazil side. Photos can’t capture its magnificence.  Then tomorrow we go to the Argentinean side of the falls which is supposed to be even more breathtaking.

Despite my best efforts for a seamless journey to Iguazu from Rio, I forgot to remove a lithium phone battery charger tucked into my checked bag.  Already at the airport gate, I was sent back to security to retrieve it.

Thankfully, Veni accompanied me and was very patient and helpful. I was worried about missing the flight but he said there was plenty of time. We made it with time to spare and I didn’t cry. 

The next day, we ventured onto the Argentina side of Iguazu Falls. We hiked 3 trails about 1.5 miles each that offer different views of the falls. The trails are not difficult to navigate at all. For most of the trails, there are boardwalks which make it fairly easy to walk on. Due to the sheer number of people, you can get to the finish line if you keep a steady pace. If you have a disability, there are shortcuts, no worries.

We started with the impressive Devil's Throat which looks like water going down your bathtub drain but billions of times larger and more powerful.

I bought a separate ticket to take the boat ride under the falls but it was canceled due to a thunderstorm. I do recommend trying to do this because the boat ride seemed spectacular.

Tonight is our Argentinean Thanksgiving meal with traditional food, no turkey.

A few useful observations about this trip so far:

1) Brazil is very affordable for a tourist. I’ve had wonderful dinners with signature cocktails for about $20. My Uber ride of 30 minutes was $4. The return trip at rush hour was $6. I think the hotel room was $125 beachside. So while Rio isn’t the easiest destination to reach, it is a very low-cost place with good value for your money. 

2) The people are nice and sweet.  I got a hug from a taxi driver for a small tip.

3) As the 7th largest economy in the world, they need to step up and help those in need. There is no safety net. Possibly, this would alleviate some of the petty theft. 

4) The majority of people don’t speak English. It would be helpful to know common Portuguese phrases. Unfortunately, you probably won’t understand the response if you manage to ask a question. 

5) Photo etiquette- move out of the way after you snap your shot and don’t take a long time unless no one else is waiting. Likewise, be aware and don’t walk into other persons shot if you can help it.