Dave's
Rio & Buenos Aires Thanksgiving Trip
Page 3
Iguazu Falls
TROPICAL HOTEL DAS CATARATAS
Located inside the national park right next to the falls We had to be up early for a 7:20am departure from the hotel, with a 9:20 flight, connecting through Curitiba and a 2hr layover, arriving at the falls airport around 2:10, so alot of travel time today.
One of the running jokes were people being left behind: Zack got left twice on day one, one lady wondered away from the jewelry store and got left there, and another person also almost got left on our first connecting flight. Our connection had a flight at the gate right next door to Sao Paolo leaving one minute before our flight- it wouldn't have been a big surprise had we lost one or two personnel at that inflection point Brazilian Falls Tour
"Lunch on your own, and then you will have a walking tour along the two-mile long trail where thundering Iguacu Falls, the 2nd tallest waterfalls in the world, tumults over a chasm in over 250 separate cataracts, culminating in the “Devil’s Throat” or main part of the falls. Bring lots of film, and perhaps a plastic bag for your cameras!"
So here are all three guys from the trip
This spot is just in front of the hotel. Not only do you see a beautiful section of the falls in the background, but a portion of the 300 person Italian tour group we would get stuck in the middle of on our walk.
One of my better self portraits So after walking the trail along the falls, several of us did the optional excursion of taking a boat right into the falls. So below is us after going through some rapids, and before our three ventures directly into the bottom of a section of the falls. Great fun.
Not to be too infatuated with the Amazing Race, but I just (12/4/04) finished watching the first two episodes of season 2, where they essentially did the same damn things we did! Corcavado, samba, Sugar Loaf, hang gliding, boat ride at the Falls. Some way cool things they did that we didn't was track down the original girl from Ipanema, and rappel down Sugarloaf.
Funny enough once I go to New Zealand next year I will have essentially covered their entire route from that season. Cool.
Mark and I got up around 6:30am and walked out to the end of the falls- alot different than the day before. We were literally
the only ones out there. Really cool when you get to have one of the planet's treasures to yourself.For the record, I would definitely place this on top of Niagra and Victoria. No political/currency hassles, well developed to explore but not surrounded by shops, still in the heart of nature. Due to recent rain we apparently were also seeing 70% greater water volume than normal, a fact backed up by the color of the water indicating recent rains.
Argentina
"Buffet breakfast at the hotel and morning free for further exploration of the falls [actually
we had a 8am departure]. Check-out at noon and then transfer directly to the
Iguazu National Park
in Argentina. The drive follows the Iguazu River and crosses Friendship
Bridge into Argentina where you will clear customs and immigration. Then you will have a three hour walking tour,
affording dramatic close-up views of the falls, especially a thrilling encounter with the Devil's Throat, the main
part of the falls. A boxed lunch [some of which I would spill on Vikki] is provided.
After the tour you will be transferred directly to the airport in
Argentina for your flight to Buenos Aires. Late evening arrival [3:55pm] and transfer to our hotel."
Good location, friendly staff, clean, modern- I'd highly recommend it. It was rainy on our arrival, and Vikki and I took a quick stroll of the neighborhood and spent some time in an internet cafe, where we discovered the Diane Lane article on BA that we would constantly refer back to. Of note is how Vikki's Spanish skills from high school really came back to her, so I would hear cute little Spanish sayings for the rest of the trip. We took it fairly easy the first night, although it was still doing two of BA's highlights:
#3 according to Lonely Planet- That perfect Steak. Below pics are at Cabana Las Lilas in the Puerto Madero area. It was recommended by our guide as well as listed by Ms. Lane as "the best tasting steak I've ever had." As I found elsewhere in the country mine was still a little dry, and I think I took too long to eat it and was too drunk to fully appreciate it, but a good time was had by all.
#4 Old-fashioned cafes- here we are probably around 1am at Cafe Tortoni. "...the epitome of Buenos Aires cafes:
You just can't get more traditional than the Tortoni. Established over 100 years ago in 1893. Locals and tourists
mix here, to take in the grand old surroundings...Don't ask for decaffeinated tea or they'll laugh at you."
I was unfortuntely quiet and crashing at this point. Also thought the service was shitty, so wasn't very impressed.