Day 9-In Search of Iguassu
I awoke today on the bus at 6 am as we made our final portion of the drive into Puerto Iguassu. The sun was shining on this glorious day and everything seemed perfect driving this last stretch of Argentina. We arrived into Puerto Iguassu at about 8:30. We were met at the station by one of Martin's GAP friends. We put all our bags into one van as we piled into another because we had to to through customs in Brazil.
We cleared customs and got to the Hotel Cassino at about 10:30. This gave us time to clean up, grab some food, rest up and settle in before our 2pm departure to the Brazil side of the falls. Noah and I walked to the supermarket and grabbed some water and some food and decided to eat it at the park. The ants were enormous and I think they could have carried us away. After lunch, we moseyed back to the hotel and waited for the gang to show up.
The drive into the park was pretty cool. It was a two lane road that lasted about 7 miles. We entered the park and got our tickets. We were dropped off at the trail head and began to walk down. Let me start by saying that in order to see Iguassu falls properly, you need at least 2 days. One for the Brazil side and another for the Argentina side. Brazil side gives you the grand overview and Argentina gives you the up close and personal look. We happened to be there during the best time frame, which is August to November. If you go in May to July, you risk not being able to go onto the catwalks because of the swollen rivers.
Nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to see. I was in awe for the next hour and 1/2 as we journeyed down the walkway. As we proceeded down the trail, the falls just seemed to get better and more awe inspiring. I took hundreds of photos, but it won't do it justice. You must see it for yourself. It is definitely one of the most majestic and incredible sights I have ever seen and it should be on your bucket list.
After the falls, we got cleaned up and walked into town. After talking with our guide, he said that we should try the Feijoada. Feijoada is a stew of beans with beef and pork meats, which is a typical Portuguese dish, also typical in Brazil, Angola and other former Portuguese colonies. In Brazil, feijoada is considered the national dish, which was brought to South America by the Portuguese, based in ancient Feijoada recipes from the Portuguese regions of Beira, Estremadura and Trás-os-Montes. The name comes from feijão, Portuguese for "beans" and is pronounced fei-zuada.
In Brazil, feijoada is traditionally served with rice, and accompanied by chopped refried collard greens (couve mineira), lightly roasted coarse cassava flour (farofa) and a peeled and sliced orange. Other common side dishes are boiled or deep-fried cassava, deep-friedbananas, and pork rinds (torresmo). A pot of hot pepper sauce is often provided on the side. The meal is often washed down with cachaça, caipirinha or beer. Ours had all the accoutrements except pork rinds and I decided to wash mine down with a Koop Beer (local) which was extremely tasty.
It was a fantastic day and looking forward to day to of Iguassu. We were all a bit tired from the lack of sleep on the bus so we voted against going out and all decided to retire early.
Until next time....
The drive into the park was pretty cool. It was a two lane road that lasted about 7 miles. We entered the park and got our tickets. We were dropped off at the trail head and began to walk down. Let me start by saying that in order to see Iguassu falls properly, you need at least 2 days. One for the Brazil side and another for the Argentina side. Brazil side gives you the grand overview and Argentina gives you the up close and personal look. We happened to be there during the best time frame, which is August to November. If you go in May to July, you risk not being able to go onto the catwalks because of the swollen rivers.
Nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to see. I was in awe for the next hour and 1/2 as we journeyed down the walkway. As we proceeded down the trail, the falls just seemed to get better and more awe inspiring. I took hundreds of photos, but it won't do it justice. You must see it for yourself. It is definitely one of the most majestic and incredible sights I have ever seen and it should be on your bucket list.
After the falls, we got cleaned up and walked into town. After talking with our guide, he said that we should try the Feijoada. Feijoada is a stew of beans with beef and pork meats, which is a typical Portuguese dish, also typical in Brazil, Angola and other former Portuguese colonies. In Brazil, feijoada is considered the national dish, which was brought to South America by the Portuguese, based in ancient Feijoada recipes from the Portuguese regions of Beira, Estremadura and Trás-os-Montes. The name comes from feijão, Portuguese for "beans" and is pronounced fei-zuada.
In Brazil, feijoada is traditionally served with rice, and accompanied by chopped refried collard greens (couve mineira), lightly roasted coarse cassava flour (farofa) and a peeled and sliced orange. Other common side dishes are boiled or deep-fried cassava, deep-friedbananas, and pork rinds (torresmo). A pot of hot pepper sauce is often provided on the side. The meal is often washed down with cachaça, caipirinha or beer. Ours had all the accoutrements except pork rinds and I decided to wash mine down with a Koop Beer (local) which was extremely tasty.
It was a fantastic day and looking forward to day to of Iguassu. We were all a bit tired from the lack of sleep on the bus so we voted against going out and all decided to retire early.
Until next time....
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