By Jacob Burrus, Trace Elliot & Carlee Silver
January 9, 2013
We began our day bright and early with a 5:45 wake up call. The 2.5 hour drive to Iguassu Falls came in handy to make up for the early morning. Once we arrived we waited awhile because the park was very crowded (Disney World style), but thanks to our amazing tour guide Nadiel and his local guide friend, Carlos, we started our adventure in no time. Iguassu Falls is the second largest attraction in Brazil (second only to Rio de Janeiro). A special safari wagon pulled by a golf cart-type of vehicle picked us up and drove us through the rainforest. It was really neat to see the different plants of the National Park. One plant that the group found really interesting was their poison ivy because in this area, it is an actual tree.
The safari wagon dropped us off at the halfway point, at which we hiked an additional 600 meters to the Macuco Safari boat tour. Once we finally made it to the loading dock for the safari boat tour we realized what we were actually in for. After we changed out of our regular clothes and into our swimsuits/trunks and put on our lifejackets we loaded into a large inflatable raft backed by 400 horsepower motors. The boat had no problem making its way through white water rafting-like conditions against the current and towards the falls. The group was amazed once the Iguassu Falls came into sight. These falls are four times the width of Niagara and are over 1.8 miles wide.
After a short stop in calmer waters the boat driver put it in high gear to get close to the powerful waterfall; something we would’ve likely had to sign our life away in waivers worth to have experienced in America. Our group became very nervous when we realized we weren’t stopping and the entire boat was overcome with a wave and the powerful shower of the waterfall. This was exhilarating and after chanting “uno mas” we were able to experience this an additional two times. Everyone was soaking wet, but we all agreed that it was a highlight of the trip.
Once the Macuco Safari boat tour was over we began the long hike along the falls. As we walked along the trails our pictures became increasingly magnificent. By the end of the hike we were right along the falls with the mist consuming the air. We saw some fellow Americans sporting their Texas flag right by the falls, we need to remember this next time! After our hike we were ready for some much needed lunch, which we had at a restaurant that was located at the top of the falls.
Due to our boat driver taking us on an extended adventure and the crowded park we were running fairly behind and didn’t make it to the scheduled presentation about the Itaipu Dam, but luckily Nadiel pulled some strings once again and we were able to catch a bus tour that took us under the river and over the dam (into Paraguay). This dam is the second largest dam in the world and serves both Brazil and Paraguay. It is responsible for 90% of the energy consumed in Paraguay and 22% of that consumed in Brazil.
We made it to our hotel in Iguassu at around 6:30 which gave us plenty of time to enjoy some time by the pool. We had a farewell dinner tonight because it is our last night with Nadiel. He has been a great guide and has made this trip to Brazil a once in a lifetime experience. We fly out of Iguassu tomorrow to Rio de Janeiro, needless to say we can’t wait!