Our adventure is nearing its end. Climb up for our last day.
Today we follow parts “C” and “D”.
First, we will follow the blue line, line C, at the top of the picture. That is a long walkway, much of it over water.
In order to get to the blue line, we hop a train..
- Near the entrance to the park, we hop on this nice little open air train for a fifteen minute ride.
We go uphill for about 15 minutes. When the train stops, we get off, cross the tracks and proceed along another metal walkway. It is a long walk. About half way there, I frantically swat my back and arms. I have walked into a swarm of bees. We count 4 stings – ouch! Little buggers are the size of queen ants but pack a punch.
Finally, we see something ahead.
The river disappears into a hole.
We arrive at the Devil’s Throat, the largest waterfall at Iguazu. This massive waterfall is thundering so loudly we can not hear each other without shouting. The mist rises upwards from the rocks below, soaking us within minutes. The mist is so thick we have to wait for a clearing to see more than a few feet. Our stomachs lurch as we look over the edge. The size and sound of the Devil’s Throat makes us feel small.
Can you hear it?
After a few minutes, we are soaked.
Looking down gives you vertigo.
Looking to our left we get an opening in the mist and see the river below.
Across from us is Brazil. Each country claims to have the best view. I think they both win. We are not going to Brazil since it would cost over $300 to cross the border. This view is enough for us. We stay for close to an hour trying to take in our surroundings. Soon, we need to get back to the boat landing for our next boat ride.
We walk the long walkway back to the small train depot and take the train down towards the river. Our boat is waiting. We lined this cruise up yesterday. It is not part of the Iguazu entry fee. Again, we go down the cement steps to the water, don life jackets, and climb aboard the orange raft. As we look across the narrow band of water, we see the island we visited yesterday.
We now begin our final leg of our trip through Iguazu Falls. We follow the green line, line “D”.
- On board.
We are the only two passengers.
Our guide heads to the right of the island. Remember yesterday seeing the orange boat under the falls . . . that will be us today.
OMG!! The water is so frickin cold. I can’t breath! Our guide manages to maneuver the boat so he stays dry and the boat doesn’t sink. He gives us a big smile and a thumbs up. I may hear him say a few words, it is hard to hear over the roar of the water. And then . . . he takes us under the falls a second time. Now, I am sure he is laughing at us.
- Next, we go under the tall falls coming off of the island.
My teeth start chattering.
We head to the other side of the island. We pause 20 feet from the tallest falls coming off the island.
Once again our guide manages to stay dry as he takes us under this falls . . . twice! All I can hear is the roar of the water crashing on my head. I can’t breathe both due to the icy cold and just the sheer amount of water raining down on us.. I find myself holding my breath. Finally I tip my face down to get some air. I am not sure if I will ever warm up again. But . . . it was one hell of an experience!
We are nearing the end of our time. We go downriver to return the boat to its owner. Lucky us, we get to see more of the river, we see a Toucan (can’t help thinking of the Fruit Loops commercial), and about a dozen Capybara! Even though they are not afraid of us and hang out close to the water, they are hard to see as they blend in with the rocks. My teeth are chattering so hard I am surprised we got any pictures.
- A capybara blending with the rocks. Almost missed them.
- Back at our hotel, I hurry to the bathroom to run the hottest bath I can handle.
I hope to be posting a couple more DIDYAS. If you do not catch my DIDYAS post, please go to SouthAmericaDrive.com and click on DIDYAS under Categories.