Sunday the 2nd of March – Day 12.
Checked out of hotel, but as my bus was not leaving until 22.15pm, hotel kept my bags. Very nice Sunday market (arts, crafts, local produce). Very quiet city, no tension or excitement, so only a place for R&R – don’t come here for nightlife. Bad tropical rain shower and flash floods. Took the 22.15 bus on the 2nd of March to Iguassu Falls which form the border between Brazil and Argentina. The mighty Falls span 2.700m. Bus took 10 hours with two stops. Way nicer bus than the Rio- to Curbita one. That had no reclining seats, and no air-con (so the windows were kept open) – Very cramped. The bus from Curitiba was great. Reclining seats, pillows, no noise, – actually got some sleep.
)
Curitiba Market
Taken on the 2nd of March 2003
Curitiba is so clean, so organised or civilised and so Euopean that it seems, its isnt Brazil. good Public Transport, a nice climate. Seems like a great place to work. Still, it lacks the soul and edge of Rio. The market had a alot of tourist crap.
Click on the picture to see it in its original size
Monday the 3rd of March 2003- Day 13. Arrived at 7.40am, and took bus (1.30R) to centro and another bus to Hostel called Paudimar, Excellent site with soccer pitch, bar, swimming pool etc. Very resort like. Downside was the dorms had 3 bunk beds )for 6), with one small fan and no air-con – stinkey and hot and humid. Dropped bags and went direct to falls – Brazilian side (National Park).- 18R in. Took an optional speedboat and jungle trek for 115R. Excellent. Up close and personal under some of the waterfalls. Got at 9.00 and back at 3.00pm. Could have spent longer, but a bit sun burnt. Will make it to the Argie side tomorrow. Played soccer for an hour with others from the hostel – 6 a side. They even had flood lights. Very international group. Very unfit, and as playing in bare feet like others, toes and feet very bruised from football. Paid 20R to go on the hostel tour to Argentian falls. Saves getting 3 different buses and going through passport control.
Tuesday the 4rd of March 2003- Day 14.
German guy in my room who was going to the tour woke me up. Breakfast ar 7.30am and bus leaving at 8.30am. Brekfast in Brazil is terrible. sweet cakes and sticky buns and maybe bananas. Seems standard fair, but give me barrys tea and toast anyday. Twelve in mini bus for the day. Went to the tri state boarder point first (Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. Just a river really and nothing to see. Got to the Park and paid 30 PESCOES IN. National get in cheaper. Same on Brazil side. Got a map and full day walking. Took the full day of 9.00 to 5.00pm to finish all the advertised trails to see the different waterfalls. Went around with 5 others from the bus. Real, a Leeds guy I met the day before from the hostel is just finishing his year RTW. Janet , a London girl, Ricardo from San Paulo, Thomas a German and his girlfriend. Had a good day and again took an optional boar ride (30R). Not half as good as the Brazilian version. Too touristic, some of the time, people just wanted to take snaps. We decided to head straight to Foz )the town) to visit a Cgucc – all you can eat buffet. Great place – all you can eat beef and Buffet (spuds, salads etc) for 5R (1.30 EURO) or buffet and all you can eat pizza for 5R. Choose meat. They kept on coming with all the different parts of meat including some special ones like chickens hearts which is a speciality here. Very nice. After about 20 minutes of eating non stop beef, had to stop. Had more beers. Final bill each was 10R. (2.60 EURO). very cheap. Also watched the towns Carnival parade with samba etc. Very nice. Went back to Hostel bar until 2.00am. Very nice time.
)
Iguassu Falls
Taken on the 4th of March 2003
Wow, one of the world’s natural wonders and I was impressed. Impressed with the hostel. Impressed with my kind feloow backpackers. Impressed with the waterfalls. the biggest in the world and so powerful.
Click on the picture to see it in its original size
)
Iguassu Falls
Taken on the 4th of March 2003
I enjoed my time here. I would bother with the extras they offer here like the jungle walks or the speedboat rides but I would go to both the Brazilian and Argentinan sides of the falls. Two very different perspectives.
Click on the picture to see it in its original size
Wednesday the 5rd of March 2003- Day 15.
Woke up late (11.00) – very hot and stuffy. Went out to hammock but fell asleep. Got sunburn. Had nothing planned, so stayed by the pool, played pool etc. Sun burn is nasty. Early night.
Thursday the 6rd of March 2003- Day 16.
Only 45 R for 3 nights at hostel including 9 R for 3 days use of locker. Was cheap. Great facilities and bar etc but rooms are too damn hot. Went To paraquay boarder (2R by bus). Exited Brazil and went to get visa. Said had to get visa in town (not true), but took me to back room for chat. Basicaly they wanted money for the visa. Started at 100 US, then 50, then 13. As I was only planning to go there for a few days and didnt like there attitude, I went back to Foz in Brazil. Brazilian officials very nice and professional. Great service. Went straight to the bus station and booked bus ticket for Buenos Aires – Executive class 75R (70 EURO). Stayed in Fitz Dey Hotel nearby. Had free breakfast and Air Con for 25R. Still sun burnt. The bus is always heavily booked and was lucky to get a seat for next day. One departure per day at 14.00 hours.