Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas!

Hi everyone, hope you are all having a Merry Christmas. We are in Iguazu National Park at it is hot humid and 30C and to be honest we pretty much forgot it was Christmas day. Last night we had a lovely dinner with friends who are living and on holiday in Buenos Aires which was very nice, lots of lovely wines and at midnight the city erupted with fireworks to celebrate Christmas day, the way we might do New Years at home. Jess and I both woke up with a very foggy head early this morning to pack our bags and head to the airport. The flight to Iguazu is 1.5 hours and was made more enjoyable/tolerable by the fact they were pouring real Champagne. Hair of the dog for breakfast, "Don't mind if I do!". Needless to say we were in MUCH better spirits on our arrive here.

Iguazu is spectacular. It located on the border of Argentina and Brazil and it exactly what you would expect a tropical rainforest to look like.

This is a photo taken from the balcony of our hotel looking at the falls. We are staying at the Sheraton which is nothing fancy but it is the only hotel located within the park so you can walk to the falls and hiking trails easily. As you can see the vegetation is rich and lush just as you would expect from a tropical rainforest. The left side of the photo is Brazil and the right is Argentina.

There are tonnes of big bugs flying around, like this guy....


It's hard to tell from the photo but this critter is the size of a walnut with a 6 inch wingspan. Ya, if that thing lands on me there is gonna be a nelly scream heard clear to the Brazil.

We also had this guy cross our path on our way to the hiking trails today...


There is a good reason the photo is blurry, I was shaking like a leaf, this lizard was over two feet long.

Today we went to the "Devils throat" which is the most spectacular park of the falls that reach 269 ft. You get there by small train and a series of walkways. Here are a few photos :






Tomorrow we have a tour booked that takes us into the jungle and then on a boat right up to the falls, they tell us we will be soaked! Extra hair product is in order..or maybe that shower cap in hotel bathrooms that nobody uses will do the trick.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas boys! I just came from brunch at the Fairmont so I feel as if I am sorta travelling :)The falls and area look fab, too bad you are not staying in a jungle hut with all those critters! Hike hard and double up on the products, that should do it!
xoxo

Anonymous said...

This, meaning Buenos Aires, has to be the most spectacular area you have visited, what with the beautiful scenery, creepy animals/bugs, it all is very intriquing.Let me just say it one more time, you lucky, lucky boys! And to have shorts & a tee shirt on, no winter parka, bissful.
This trip sounds more peaceful & relaxed then most of Rys trips. Enjoy! XO

HopSkipJump said...

Tracy: Did you go with Darrell and Jon? Hope you had a good time. Should have heeded your "double products" advice today in regards to the sunscreen.

Mums The Word: It's been crazy to go from ice to crazy heat but we're loving every minute of it.