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Iguazu Falls from Argentinian side

Added: July 17, 2010

Tags: Argentina RTW SouthAmerica photos waterfalls
Friday, 19th of February 2010. The biggest of highlights of our trip is just a few kilometres from us. We had a glimpse of mist created by it from the plane shortly before landing. We wanted to see it today, but our flight from Buenos Aires was delayed for 4 hours. Funny thing was I thought it will be one of our shortest stay at airport, because we came rather late (for my likings). And also it was rescheduled couple of months ago so instead of planned arrival at noon we arrived in the evening.

So we will see it tomorrow morning. Today, we are going to lovely hostel Timbo Posada in Puerto IguazĂș with friendly staff and small pool surrounded with banana leaves and other tropical vegetation. And then for nice dinner with fine wine in near BBQ restaurant.

But you don't need to wait till tomorrow, just continue reading.

The biggest waterfalls in the area

We left the biggest single waterfalls within the biggest waterfalls system in the world to the end of day. Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat) is a bit further away, but there is a small train going there periodically. The same train we will use at the end to get back to entrance.

After short ride we arrived to final station, but we were not there yet. We needed to walk more than 1km on steel walkways over vast river and small islands.

Walking to Garganta del Diablo

It is really strange feeling to go on steel walkway over vast brown river with only small islands here and there for more than 1km. Rio IguazĂș spreads here a lot. Thanks to that and the sudden drop of lava layers these falls are so magnificent.

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Walking to the Garganta del Diablo. Zuzka does not wait for me.
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Garganta del Diablo

Devil's Throat could be seen from distance as misty cloud raising over brown water. Water suddenly churns up and gets lost.

A lot of people were there, standing on wet platforms, looking down and trying to clean lenses of their cameras. They really should build huge turbine sucking all water from air in order to provide better views. No, I'm just kidding, that would ruin whole experience. And we had been dry for some time already, we needed to get some moisture again :-)

Garganta del Diablo is horseshoe shaped waterfalls and it is rather narrow (considering its size). We were standing on Argentinian side looking to Brazilian side. I will show better picture of its shape in following post.

We spent there more time than at previous stops, because it was so fantastic. Wind was slowly changing, helping to get rid of mist and to allow better views of parts there were hidden before, but it also worked the other way.

Garganta del Diablo or Devil's Throat at Iguazu Falls

A lot of mist was in the air, it was not possible to see the bottom and in some directions also into distance. Situation slowly changed according to wind.
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Hey, are you aware there is a huge waterfalls below your feet?
Garganta del Diablo or Devil's Throat at Iguazu Falls

Brazilian side of Falls. They have very well placed viewing platforms and other tourist infrastructure. See my next post.
Garganta del Diablo or Devil's Throat at Iguazu Falls

And better detail. Just because it is not covered by mist...
Garganta del Diablo or Devil's Throat at Iguazu Falls

Finally a panorama of top part of falls. Notice the bottom is hidden in thick mist.
Panorama of Garganta del Diablo or Devil's Throat at Iguazu Falls from Argentinian side

The butterflies of Iguazu Falls

There were plenty of butterflies everywhere. Unfortunately not all varieties were kind enough to offer a possibility to take photo of them. Some sat only shortly, not having patience with slow photographers and the biggest light blue ones never sat down, even for a brief moment. That frustrated me a lot.

We have seen also many interesting birds and some lizards. On the other hand we were happy we did not meet any jaguar or Jeremy Irons :-) But we heard people playing music from the movie Mission on several occasions.

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Butterflies study local practices. People on the right, snakes to the left.
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