Iguassu Falls on the Brazilian Side

12/15/16

Before departing from Buenos Aires, Nicole assigned us to teams of 6 so we could watch out for each other & she wouldn't have to keep counting to 24 to make sure everyone was present. We were flamingos and the others were either quanicos (llamas) or condors. We adopted the 2 quanicos until their other 4 people showed up for the main trip so they wouldn't be left out. Then Nicole took several minutes to explain how dangerous the domestic Buenos Aires airport - (AEP) Aeroparque Jorge Newbery - was, with Argentinian gangs and mafia preying on unsuspecting tourists. So of course we goofed around with that concept the whole time we were in the airport, and fortunately no one lost anything.

We paid $190 for our Brazil visas before leaving home and this was the only day we spent in that country. But the visa is good for 10 years and I'm pretty certain I'd like to return.

Interesting tidbits:

Brazil is the largest country in South America
Brazil is just slightly smaller than the continental United States
Brazil shares borders with every S. American country except Chile and Ecuador
Main language spoken is Portuguese

Today we explored the Brazilian Falls National Park, following the paths taking us to an amazing series of Kodak moments compliments of Iguassu Falls (from the Portuguese word meaning "great waters"), a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site since 1984.

There are over 275 waterfalls, or cataratas, as they are called in Argentina. They are the most visited area in South America, with at least 176,570 cubic feet of water per second plunging 230 feet.My videos and photos cannot possibly do justice, but it is truly amazing and humbling...

https://youtu.be/CtSxx1cYZYo

https://youtu.be/wJ0OU_Hf2BI

https://youtu.be/i_o5-Ec48wY

https://youtu.be/AR_2cimDYQY

And some still photos: