DAY 237
Our stay in Brazil is almost over. We're about to cross to Argentina in Iguaçu. A bus takes us back to Campo Grande's airport then we fly to Iguaçu. We have a big scare at the airport again. They can't find us at first and we are dreading to relive the same ordeal but they eventually do find us... Phew! Intense relief!!! The rest of the day is seamless and we arrive late at night in Iguaçu.
DAY 238
Foz de Iguaçu is more than the border between Brazil and Argentina (and Paraguay), it's one of the most impressive falls there's to see on the planet. I've been to the Argentinian side a few years back but not the the Brazilian side and the experience is told to be quite different. Our first contact with there is with the coatis.. As expected. We're fresh off the bus when in a well rehearse maneuver, one comes out of nowhere and looks for bags with food, then jumps in and starts eating frenetically. When that happens, 20 more come out of the wood for the scraps. Cute, Shameless and aggressive.... Just like the raccoons, you'd love them Nick ;)
Dodging a few more groups of these little devils we arrive at the first vista point. The falls are so big and spread out you can't see it all in one view. As we progress towards the devil's throat, the vibration get stronger. I've been on the Argentinian side 5 years ago but it's actually really worth it to see it from both sides. The momentum is building up little by little, the falls are more and more impressive as we get closer to the devil's throat. To get a good look at them, they built a footbridge on a flat section between two falls. That's where you get wet. Thankfully we have our raincoats with us. We're at the foot of a big fall and it's already impressive; it gets crazy at the end of the footbridge with the devil's throat in sight. It's a half circle with water coming down hard from all sides. There's no way to see it clearly since it's covered in mist. The show is awesome though. Even with the raincoats we can't stay too long or risk being soaked so we go back and move on. The paths ends at the foot of one side of the falls. The noise is deafening here and the vibration caused by the water, super strong. We stay there for a while, mesmerized by nature's wonder.
There's a little complex with a food court close by and we have a bite there. It's upstream and earily quiet. The noise of the falls does not reach us and the water is still flowing peacefully. Such a big contrast with the situation a few hundreds meters downstream. We walk back via the same path to enjoy once again the views. Tomorrow we'll be on the other side for more of it!
Back in Iguaçu, we finish Brazil like we started (eating Sushi!) And of course have one last Caipirinha and Açai. The first can be found all over the word but the 2nd will be dearly missed. We'll keep our eyes open for it though, in case a Brazilian restaurant in New York or Paris has Açai on the menu!