Nov 11, 2017 - Igauzu falls

Always difficult to describe the onslaught on your senses that is the raw power of the Igauzu falls. You hear them from a km out, they beckon you in, and you follow. The scent strengthens like a highveld storm approaching. Your nostrils flare and drink.... Never quite prepares you for the sight though. First a half dozen tributaries succumb to the 80m descent into the gorge below, but the Garganta de Diablo (devils throat) is awe inspiring as two of natures elements clash when bedrock forces the river through a tight cauldron. The torrent...

Jan 17, 2016 - 16th - 17th January

Sunday 17th January Today we'd decided to get the bus to Argentina but when this morning arrived changed our mind. Ok, we'd have another country in our passport but does it really matter? No! Had breakfast and wandered down to town. Bought a bottle of water and then found a local market. We stood and listened to Brazilian folk music and then some guys playing Original Brazilian music. There was also a young woman singing with a backing track,...amazing, she gave us a cd so we can listen when we go home, All the shops are closed. I expect...

Jan 16, 2016 - 15th - 16th January

Friday 15th Dropped our washing in the laundry. It's so expensive! We won't be using them again so next time, we need to find a little private one and we should have. Had breakfast which was good although Guy put salt in his coffee in error! That was funny. The coffee's bad enough without the use of salt. Then, armed with our bit of paper from reception telling us what number bus we want and where we're going to in Portuguese, we head out for the bus stop. This, we found was a sign with a plank of wood for a seat. Get on the bus, Guys...

Jan 14, 2016 - 13th and 14th January

Wednesday 13th We'd planned to go to Sugar Loaf Mountain but had to buy some stamps for a couple of postcards for our girls. Left the hotel with 'Instructions'......not! Again, had to ask. Pretty difficult when no one speaks English. Asked a security person outside a shopping centre. He had to get on his radio to ask. What's that about? Anyway, found it eventually. Now those of you who grumble about the postoffice in Minehead.....don't! We got there and got in the queue. Only 3rd or 4th in the line so ok. Well, the lady (customer) at the...

Sep 21, 2013 - Day 4

Igauzzo. We left the hotel at 7:30 for a very full day to make up for yesterday. After going through passport control on the Brazilian side we stopped on the bridge over the River ......... You are not allowed to stop on the Brazilian side so we stopped once we were on the Argentinian side. The bridge has been painted in both countries colours. Yellow and green for Brazil and blue and white for Argentina. We then had to go back through passport control on the Argentinian side. Once all that was sorted we headed off to the national park. I...

Sep 18, 2013 - Day 3

Early rise ethics morning as we needed to be at the airport for a 7:30 flight. We were leaving before breakfast so the hotel supplied us with a small bag of provisions. A box of juice, a cereal bar, some toast and a bar of chocolate. When we arrived at the airport we were told the flight was delayed until 9:30. We went through the check in process and through security into the departure lounge. We hadn't a been there long when we noticed that the departure time had been changed to 12:30. The airline then decided to give us a complimentary...

May 14, 2012 - Brazil - Foz do Iguacu

Stayed in YHI resort out of town - in a wooden cabin. Beautiful grounds with camping, swimming pool, cafe, restaurant etc. Visited the Iguacu Falls National Park. Awesome panoramic views of falls from Brazilian side. Lots of Coaties on the paths (see photos when available later). Next day whilst waiting to go to Argentina, a Argentinian? woman and man tried to engage us in conversation, even though we kept saying "que?". After a while when no bus came we shared a taxi across the border - which was much easier than we expected at the...

Mar 25, 2011 - Dash to Brazil from Chile

THE MAD DASH TO BRAZIL-WITH SOME CHILEAN WINE TASTING-IGUAZU FALLS FROM THE BRAZILIAN SIDE. 3/14-Puerto Varas -Llanquihue Free camp(20 miles) Today is the day we are supposed to Pick up Paco. I went to the shop at around a 9:30 to see what progress had been made. Well the tranny was sitting right next to the car, and the mechanics were just getting ready to lift it in. The owner of the shop hadn't come to work yet, because he was at the dentist. We needed to go to drop off the tip for our guide on the kayak trip, There was a maximum on the...

Apr 29, 2010 - Iguassu Falls - more pics

Hola and good bye Brazil - it was the best! We are in spanish country now; Brazil is portugeuse and we just arrived in Salto, Uruguay; afer our long bus ride; we are sort of sad to leave Brazil as there will no more ciaphrina's or portugeuse - spanish moitio's now!- our bus was stopped twice and searched with drug dog and guards - pretty wild experience; we arrived early this morning bus dropped us off in the middle ot no where but taxi's waiting for us to cross the border - oh what fun. Leaving for the thermal pools today and spa...

Dec 3, 2009 - Foz de Iguassu

As soon as I arrived at Foz de Iguassu I dumped my rucksack at the hostel and went straight out to see Iguassu Falls from the Brazilian side. I´ve been accused of using this word too much when describing the things i´ve seen (you know who you are!) but Iguassu Falls are quite simply amazing. They are a collection of approximately 275 waterfalls on the Rio Parana that borders Brazil and Argentina. The sheer size of the falls and the volume of water crashing down is absolutely mind blowing. This is another occasion where the pictures don´t...

Apr 8, 2008 - Ilha Do Mel & Iguazu Falls

Well....lots has happened in the last few days. Decided to go to a different island than what we originally planned bcoz it was closer and thought it would be better...took whoe day of travelling on buses to get there and almost got stranded at the port because we got there late and boats had stopped running and no hostels in sight! Luckily some friendly locals took us across. Island beuatiful but very cloudy both days we were there and had a downpour and got drenched! Had a walk along beaches and saw the famous grotto or arch in the rocks!...

Nov 27, 2007 - Brazil Part II

Sao Paulo is a huge place, a real concrete jungle that covers 7500 sq kms. As we drove along the freeway we could see high-rise buildings on the horizon, 360 degrees around us! Weird sight though the view from the observation tower 41 stories up was spectacular, never seen so much concrete. There are no houses, only apartments unless you are 1 hour from town. However, Bruno lives in a lovely part of town - possibly the only lovely part. I would compare it with East Melbourne or Carlton, very close to the CBD (we walked there) with lovely...