Iguaçu Falls & Bird Park - Brazil & Iguazu Falls, Argentina

January 11

This morning we met the young German couple downstairs after breakfast. (actually we ended up right next to them at breakfast). The driver was an interesting woman that spoke English well and Spanish, Portuguese and her local Indian dialect. So, we got to chat a bit in Spanish with her on the ride. Like many, she used a mix of languages all in the same sentence.

They were also running low on cash (in any currency) as they assumed there would be an ATM in the Sheraton. So, they paid for our admission to Iguacu Falls on credit card and we reimbursed them in cash. The taxi to Iguazu in Brazil accepted USD, AEP, EUR & the Brazilian Real.

It was a pretty drive and our driver negotiated the border crossing for us (passports and Brazilian Visa required).We got our visa a year ago for the Amazon trip and it is good for 10 years. The Germans did not need a visa.

The driver took us in to buy tickets and then showed us where we needed to get on the Park Bus to take us to the Falls and about when and where to meet her when we were done.

ticket area

 

The Brazil side is considerably smaller than the Argentina side, but it has the most iconic views most often depicted in photos. So, it’s really just one long path past several viewing points. There was also an elevator that took you up to look out over them. It did rain a bit on the drive there, but did stop later. So, again not perfect conditions, but I imagine that happens more often than not.

 we saw some butterflies & birds along the path to get to the Falls

 2 insects mating

 BELMOND HOTEL DAS CATARATAS (the hotel we saw from the Argentina side

 we stopped in for a restroom break - beautiful hotel

 back on the path

 the German couple

 pretty spiderweb

 walkway over the falls - what an awesome experience with the loud rushing water

 this little guy was in the grass on the walk out

 

We had run over a bit with time, but our driver was there waiting for us. We then did the 5 minute drive to the Bird Park.

I was concerned that the couple (Teresa & Karim – neither of which are probably remotely spelled right) wouldn’t enjoy the bird park, but they seemed to. He said if they hadn’t run into us they would have missed. In fact he said they probably would have skipped the Brazil side because of the additional cost, so sharing the tour made that possible for them. We enjoyed their company and were fun to tour with. So, it was a win-win.

 Greg in the archway to the Bird Park

 

No, none of these count towards our "world bird count" since they are captive, but it really was a beautiful and well done park.

We then headed back to Argentina and our driver was trying to make sure she got our business for our return trips to the airport. So, she worked it out to pick them up later that evening to take them and the next evening to take us. Rates are set by the government so it didn’t matter to us and she really pled her case that she needed money to take care of her family.

We both went our separate ways to finish touring the falls until the Park closed. It was funny that we kept running into each other in the Park and at the hotel.

We toured the rest of the park and it was a beautiful afternoon. So, we got a few nicer shots today.

 this guy was in the grass next to the path

 the boat that goes under the Falls

 I'm in there somewhere....

 great spider web

 Black-chested Jay

 there were a few double rainbows

 we were back at the hotel having a cold drink when this Mockingbird came down begging for the cheese cubes in olive oil & spices they serve with drinks.

another lady threw it one

We went back to the hotel when the park closed and we went to dinner at the nicer restaurant. It was quite good. We had every intention of getting the set menu, but the buffet looked really good so we went with that. (about the same price and lots of variety)

We arranged for a later checkout for tomorrow so we could maximize our time in the park and still grab a quick shower before our flight back to Buenos Aires. We already had a 2:00 checkout as an upgrade and they said 4:00 would be fine.

Tomorrow we are doing a hike in the morning and then returning to tour any areas of the park we hadn't done or wanted to do over again.