It never rains, it just Falls!

Last Thursday Judith and I set off for a seven hour bus journey to Foz D'Iguazu (The Iguazu waterfalls on the border between Brazil and Argentina). It was a glorious day and there were lots of sights to view along the way so it did not seem too long. We settled into our hotel and planned out the next two days, to pack in as much as possible. I have been there before several times and I never tire of seeing God's creation at its best. The flora and fauna are beautiful and intriguing.
We were warned about the fellow on the right, a Quati. They go for food and will attack. They carry rabies. You can imagine Judith's reaction when one attacked her. Fortunately he got away with no more than a plastic bag and she did not get scratched or bitten. Phew!!!

After an amazing Brazilian breakfast we set off for Argentina and the Iguazu Falls on that side of the river Iguazu. We took a very expensive bus which delivered us at the gates of the National Park and the bus driver assurred us that he would pick us up in the evening. The weather started fine but soon turned on us.

A train in the park took us to the end of the trail. We then walked towards the head of the Falls. We received thunderous applause for our arrival and the heavens opened on us with a tropical downpour. Not to be deterred we waited under a tree, already two drowned rats and then carried on. It was worth it. Standing over the water at the Devil's throat is an awesome experience that is indescribable. (Some of you will be bored by my video when I come to UK next year!) Photos cannot show the immensity of it, nor the intense power of the cascading water.

We spent a lovely day making our way slowly around different walks. The rain made some parts pretty slippery so care was needed.

Our aim was to make for the boats that take people under the waterfalls. This is such a fun experience. We were already a couple of soggy beings so we figured out that a good dowsing was not going to make things any worse. It was another indescribable experience. Everybody should do it at least once in their life. (This was my second go at it.)

We ended up drenched to the skin, from head to foot, in spite of wearing Kagools. The guys running the boats know just where and when to get you the wettest....... when you least expect it! (There is more video of us on the boat!).

You have probably guessed already that the bus did not return to pick us up so we took cheap, local buses back to the hotel. The weather had turned colder. I have never appreciated a hot shower quite so much.

The next day we stocked up on more Brazilian breakfast of ham, cheese, cakes, chicken pie, several types of fruit, coffee, juice, scrambled eggs, a sausage concoction and.... you name it. (Surprisingly there was no cereal).

We set off in glorious sunshine and made our way to the Bird Park. I had been before but had not been over-impressed. However, this time there had been so much improvement. It was wonderful. We had lots of fun stroking toucans, and watching the antics of so many different birds. One in particular just loved Judith. It followed her for ages, pecking hard at her exposed, flip-flop clad feet, drawing blood. I had a good giggle along with several other people. It even had a taste of my trainers but much preferred Judith's meat to mine.From the bird park we went to the Brazilian side of the Falls. "Awesome", "Breathtaking", "Wonderful", "Marvellous", "Spectacular," simply do not describe the grandeur of the panorama of the Falls. No words can describe it. You really need to be there and stand in awe of God's creation.
Judith treated us both to a lunch in the expensive restaurant and we sat above the head of the falls listening to the rushing water and gazing out across to where we had started our tour the day before.

It was a visit never to be forgotten.