Day 3, Buenos Aires to Igauza Falls and Day 4 Iguassu Falls, Brazil

Saturday, March 21st -- After a great sleep, we checked out of the Buenos Aires (BA) hotel, leaving our large luggage with the hotel since we will be back, and "Uber-ed" to the smaller, more domestic airport only 4 miles from the hotel.  The airport was quite busy - it is Saturday and we think the start of some 4-day holiday break for the kids.  We had plenty of time before the flight and had breakfast - the cutest, small ham and egg croissants with coffee.  We were sitting just outside the entrance to the security checkpoint which had a queue of 100-persons or more, that dissipated and then reappeared.  During one of the dissipations, we joined the line, which went around the corner and snaked through a maze to a rather easy security check.  There was no fussing with the baggage (we only had backpacks), but I had to empty everything from my pockets, remove my wristwatch and even the medical alert bracelet.  We found our gate and snagged a few seats once some travelers left to board planes.  Every seat in the waiting areas was filled.  There were lots of youngsters, families, even a "BrideTeam."  After a brief internet search I discovered that Argentina has population of 46 million and nearly half live in the BA metro area.

We got bussed from the gate to the airplane and crammed in.

Note the leg room.....fortunately the seat in front did not recline -- it would have crushed my knees.

We arrived without delay at  the  Puerto Iguazu Airport and grabbed a taxi to our hotel for the next three nights -- Loi Suites Iguazu Hotel.  It is located just outside the town of Puerto Iguazu in the jungle next to the Iguazu River.  It is a swanky place with lots of pools and rooms scattered around in adjacent buildings.

Our room with a king-sized bed

Bathroom with a picture window looking into the bedroom.

View from our balcony.

Swinging elevated bridges leading out to the buildings housing the rooms.  We arrived just as a thunderstorm dumped water on the complex and we got a little wet crossing these bridges.  There were umbrellas on offer at the first crossing but we didn't know enough to pick one up.  It clearly rains here a lot.

First view of the Iguazu River.

A small set of pools with an attached bar (to the right) -- for honeymooners or anniversary couples

The backside of one of the buildings.

Two views of the main pool - the pool levels vary.

We stopped at the bar by the pool for rehydration.

Drinks all around and French fries for a snack.

Betsy and I then walked down a very steep, rocky and slippery path to the river.

Probably a tourist boat out on a late afternoon cruise.

The hotel has an incline tramway for descending and ascending to nearly the river level.

The tramway cab which probably fits 6 people.  The tram works like an elevator with buttons at each end to request the cab.

After a brief rest, we had dinner in the hotel dining room.  Elaine was served "sorrentino," a single large ravioli covered with béchamel sauce.

Betsy had fish ravioli.

I had mushroom risotto with chicken on top.

The hotel lobby with a lone saxophone player (at the far end on the left side of the big window).

Tomorrow is our first day visiting the falls, starting at 7:30 am.

Sunday, March 22nd -- It is now the next day and we completed Day 1 of our private tour of the Falls. As we observed the logistics of getting to and from the park and the huge number of other travelers, we were very glad of our arrangements.

We were picked up at the hotel by Dimitri, guide, and Florisvaldo, driver, at 7:30 am. (after an early and generous breakfast buffet.)   We headed from our hotel to the bridge (Ponte Tancerdo Neves) crossing over the Iguazu River into Brazil.  

We stopped at Argentina Border Control, then again at Brazilian Border Control, showing passports and visas.  

According to Dimitri, Argentina is the country that regulates border crossings.  Brazil and Paraguay are happy for them to manage it.  We ran this same border-crossing gauntlet coming back to our hotel.  The queue of folks trying to get into Brazil was hundreds of cars long -- Dimitri and Florisvaldo will hit this congestion on their way home (they live in Brazil).

A few tidbits about the falls (according to Dimitri) - it is the world's "largest waterfall system," compared to Victoria Falls in Africa, which has the largest "curtain of water," (considered larger) and to Niagara Falls in US/Canada, which has the "highest flow rate," (number 3 on the "list").  Angel Falls in Venezuela is the tallest but was not mentioned where on the "list" it falls.....  This falls is the widest at 2.6 km.  The falls were first recognized as something to preserve in 1919 by a Brazilian official who sailed upstream from BA (many day journey), followed by a 30 km horse ride.  After seeing the falls, he immediately went to Rio de Janeiro to lobby for protecting the land, and after 20 years a national park was opened.  All of the land was originally one person's ranch used primarily for growing crops and raising cattle.  It is now covered with "second growth" trees and provides habitat for a number of number of endangered species including jaguars, panthers, toucans, and coatis.  The Iguazu river rises north in mountains near the Brazilian coast before swerving far inland.  After the falls, it  twists south and east before finally ending in the Atlantic.

After entering the park, for which we had pre-purchased tickets, we bypassed the hordes of people waiting to board buses and were driven directly to our starting point.  We walked about 2.0 km along a paved path with railings looking across to the Argentina side of the falls, with hundreds of other tourists.  The cell phones were popping.  The Brasil side was the preferred method to view the falls during the morning since the sun was shining on them.  The path we were on was mostly shaded by trees but still it was hot and humid.  The path undulated along with many good views at the various cascades.  The following are a collection of photos of the falls, wildlife, and a couple of birds.  We were told this was a busy weekend for the park, and that the water levels were somewhat low since the dam-managers upstream had been holding water back in expectation of rain storms that went elsewhere.  It still looked like a lot of water!

The Brazilian Park Entrance

South American Coatis, also known as ring-tailed or brown nosed coatis) on the path - they come around when people are present.

The Gran Melia Iguazu Hotel, Argentina, with a view of the falls (a room costs several thousands of dollars per night).

The two-tiered structure of the falls (roughly 20 meters and 40 meters in height).

Tourist boat ....

...complete with a shower...

One of the egrets that live on the islands along with vultures.

First view of Mirante da Garganta do Diabo or the Devil's Throat.

Ditto.

Ditto.

Closer view of the Devil's Throat.

'The Path of the Falls Trails'

Ditto.

A Greater Kiskadee.

The last photo showing much of the upper river before the falls.

The comparable hotel to the Gran Melia Iguazu Hotel on the Brazilian side of the falls.

A selfie to prove we were there.

Crossing back into Argentina.

We were back at the hotel before noon -- this is the front gate, 

and the entrance.

I think my work is done, and I am going to the pool....