Buenos Aires - Latin Tango

Reaching Puerto Iguazu in the evening, we had to look for a bus to Buenos Aires. The bus is like super comfortable lor. Seats can recline to 160 degrees, blanket and pillow provided. Five minutes in the journey and steward came to offer whiskey on the rocks. After about 2 hours, dinner was served with wine. Then it’s time to sleep. When dawn broke, steward came around and served breakfast. This is the best bus ride I’ve ever taken.

Whiskey on the rocks

Reaching Buenos Aires, we were recommended Milhouse Hostel in the middle of town. It was a very happening hostel. The frontdesk people are young and vibrant, and give us much information about what to do in Buenos Aires. Hostel holds a party every other night and music goes on until 4 in the morning. And of course the young backpackers will then come back to their dorm and make a lot of noise. Vibrant hostel indeed, but not for us. So next day we move next door to a cheaper and quieter hostel to get some sleep.

That evening we went for a Latin Tango show and dinner in the evening. Surprisingly we also had an hour of lesson.

Appetiser

Steak

Dessert

Cataratas Iguazu

 And so we ended our travel in Brazil at Foz do Iguazu. We booked a trip to Iguazu Falls at Argentina side and to drop us at the bus station at the end of the day. After spending some time picking up people around the city,we then proceed to the border of Argentina. The bridge is painted in Brazilian colour up to the ½ way mark before being painted in Argentinian colour on the other side. Reaching the Iguazu, we had to take a train to the end of the station and walk for another 1km.

Blue jay

The view at Argentine side is even more spectacular as we are much more closer to the Devil’s Throat. The power, the amount of water and the noise is incredible. I wish we could stay longer to take in the sight but our guide hurried us along.

After this, the upper circuit and lower circuit are not as spectacular. We went to the best view in the morning and everything else is not as sepctacular. We should have done the Devil’s Throat last, building it to the climax through the day.

Coates playing...

Coates

Must be the lighting or angle .......

A good day out at the Cataratas Iguazu!!!

Itaipu Dam in Brazil

Itaipu Dam is the 2^nd largest in the world. The pipes that the water runs through is 21m in diameter each and the power generated supplies 18% of Brazil needs and 75% of Paraguay needs. The building of the dam probably displaces thousands of people and animals, and flooded hundred of square km of forests. Who are we to judge whether it’s the right thing to do for their own country?

These pipes are 21m in diameter.

Such a big bushbearing!

Our dinner - roasted chicken wings and fried vegetables...yumyum

Iguazu Falls - Brazil

Iguazu Falls is the largest in the world. We reached the start of the trail to walk to Devil’s Throat. The view is simply spectacular as we walked down towards the waterfall. Near to the falls, the spray is immense and we wore our rain jacket. The best thing that we bought is the waterproof pouch for the camera. Those who saw it was envious as our camera is dry.

After taking many pictures, we almost missed our last bus and had to run for it. Unfortunately for me, I had to step on S shoes and she turned around and snapped at me. The strain of travelling had caught up with us. We were unhappy with each other for a short time. Phrase of the day – “You always do things to irritate me”

Bird Park near to Iguazu Falls

We went to visit the bird park which is just a short distance away from the Iguazu Falls. Quite a nice bird park with lots of birds from South America. It would have been nicer to see them in the wild, but sometimes can only see them in the bird park.

Hyacinth macaw

Golden parakeet - such vibrant colours

Flight from Campo Grande to Foz do Iguazu

Next day, we managed to book a budget flight from Campo Grande to Foz do Iguazu. We got to the airport for our 4.30pm flight to Foz do Iguazu on Trip. After clearing custom, we walked on the tarmac towards the plane and realized that it’s a propeller plane. After settling comfortably into the seat, all the lights came on and the stewardess opened all the overhead compartment. Mechanical problem and our flight is delayed. I think we should take bus next time. We were given only R$15 for a 2-hour delay. And so we got into Foz do Iguazu airport at 11pm.

We took a bus into town and according to the instruction  from the hostel, they are very near to the bus terminal. Another crisis struck, we forgot to take the address of Iguazu Guesthouse. It was a trying time, but I sort of remembered it as 1190 Rua Napa. Taking out my guidebook, I’m relieved that there’s a Rua Naipi, and so off we walked with our backpack at midnight to search for the hostel. Not a safe thing to do. St*p*d budget airline for delaying us again when we’re supposed to arrive at 9pm.

Should be de-boarding, NOT immediate boarding

2 sweets.... that's what we got for the flight delay!

Later gave us R$15 each to buy food and told us to be back in 15 minutes....