We awake fresh faced and ready for our morning flight.
Opting once again for a taxi (this time as a time saver – rather than
convenience) we arrive nice and early to Congonhas Sao Paulo Airport – a fairly
small airport full of excited locals going on their holidays. Interestingly,
the pre-checked-in line was about 5 times as long as the in-airport check-in
line. The airport usher tried to show us to some check-in machines to join the
long queue, but logic prevailed and we didn't move from the short queue. After
going through the lax security, I was still, once again, man-handled (I'm sure
the metal machine didn't even beep!).
We board the fully packed plane and have a short, cramped, hour-long flight to Foz do Iguacu – the eponymous city of the famous Iguacu Falls.
Our hostel had arranged transport for us and we arrived at the accommodation
swiftly, where the excellent concierge informed us of all the tourist and
travel information we needed. We drop off our large packs and immediately head
out to the bus stop to get to the Brazilian side of Iguacu Falls. A bus journey
of around 1 hour brings us to the National Park of Iguacu Falls. We buy our
tickets (just under £40 for the two) and jump on to the tourist bus that takes
you to the falls.
Exiting the bus, we were immediately surrounded by little
fox-raccoon-ant eater things, which we later learned were coati, which were very friendly, fuzzy things – that unfortunately
could get overzealous when surrounded or near to human food. Though we had many
warnings, we had no incidents. Rach wouldn't let me keep one.
Leaving the bus stop – you’re immediately met with the sound
of rushing water. Emerging through a wall of trees, suddenly the falls loom out in
front of you. Iguacu Falls contains 275 individual water falls – which the
Brazilian side shows off in all their immaculate glory. Walking along a single
designated path, you’re in constant view of ever increasing numbers of
waterfalls – eventually coming to a head on a floating platform in the middle
of ‘the Devil’s Throat’ – the largest and most tempestuous waterfall of them
all. It really is difficult to describe the sensation of being surrounded by
such devastatingly beautiful nature. I have to admit that Iguacu Falls, if
there were to be a competition, beats our beloved Niagara Falls. There I said
it. Moving on.
After getting mildly wet from the spray of ‘Devil’s Throat’
– we take an elevator up to a panoramic platform offering even more stunning views of
the falls. Calling it a day after a couple hours at the Brazilian side, we head home. We
had a short wander through the town, grabbed a quick cafeteria style dinner
in Foz, and called it a night, ready to begin the second leg of the falls the
following morning.
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