May 6: Iguazú Falls

My alarm went off at 6:30 a.m. and I awoke wondering where I was and wondering what activity I had needed an alarm for.  This happen occasionally from travelling so much.  Once I got my bearings, I got up and greeted the day.  We were a little slow moving and didn´t catch the bus the Parque Nacional Iguazú until 8:00 a.m.  

Upon entering the park, we were handed a map with suggested itineraries for 2 days worth of attratctions.  We boarded the free park train, resembling the choo choo at any zoo in the US, and headed immediately for the Circuita Garganta del Diablo or the big waterfalls (Cataratas).  After debarking from the train we rushed ahead of the crowd darting in between people to get to the falls in front of the pack.  We are fast walkers and in no time we left the pack behind.  This was to set the tone for the day.  After 1 km of metal bridge/trail over the river, we could see the giant plume of mist wafting skyward from the falls and started to hear the thunderous sounds.  The falls however, were obscured by mists so thick that it was impossible to see the bottom or much detail.  We were awestruck by the sheer magnitude of the falls yet disappointed that we couldn´t see much. 

Garganta del Diablo obscured by mist

 I kept wondering whether this was worth the visit.  It took a lot of effort and money to get here and Iguazú isn´t near anything.  If the waterfalls froze it would be worth it! I quietly fantasized about what it would be like to climb up these stupendous routes.  It would be such a fantastic playground!

This member of the Jay family was kind enough to pose for a picture

We retreated from the Garganta area wet from the mist vowing to come back later in the day to see if viewing conditions improved, then reboarded the train destined for the Circuito Superior.  This was a 2.5 km trail to a second set of waterfalls below the Garganta with better visibility and more panaramic vistas.  I started to feel a little better about my choice to visit Iguazú.

The lower falls

 After finishing this circuit, we headed for the Circuito Inferior, or lower circuit.  This cicruit provides views of the same waterfalls from a lower vantage point.  Rainbows started to emerge as the sun moved higher in the sky making for good photographic subject matter.

with arco iris (rainbow)

We passed by a group of coatis, which are members of the raccoon family.  I thought it was a treat to see them so close up until I realized that not unlike their North American cousins, they are thieves who have learned how to live alongside humans.  I learned this when they stole my lunch snacks.

Coati

 By 12:30, we had finished all of the waterfall circuits and there was only one trail left that went through jungle to a waterfall that was wimpy in comparison to the others.  We walked in silence along the 3.2 km long trail in the hopes of spotting wildlife.  Luckily, there weren´t many others on the trail.  We saw something that appeared like a giant rat without the tail that I have yet to ID, many beautiful butterflies, and on the way back, lots of monkeys.

Capucchin monkeys

We had completed every trail in the park by 3:30.  Why would anyone need two days?  I could see spending more time here if the waterfalls actually froze.  We opted not to do the Brazilian side of the falls for the next day because it was already somewhat monotonous and we would have to pay for another bus, another entrance fee, clear customs, and it was possible that they would make me pay for a visa.

We went back to the Garganta del Diablo and the conditions improved a little.  We could at least see the Brazilian side.

The view of Garganta de Diablo in the afternoon; slightly better visibility