18.07 - Day 29 - Purto Iquaza, ARG to Foz Du Iguacu, BRA
Puerto Iquazu, Argentina to Foz Du Iguacu, BRA
Sunday 18th July 2010
Walls that don’t quite meet the ceiling in the dorm and being near to the
breakfast room wake us up at 7:30. Checking out we then catch the bus to Brazil
New country but for the first time in what
seems a long time, a new language. I expected Portuguese to be similar to
Spanish but it might as well be Japanese; the words are different, the accent
too. All the work done picking up Spanish tit bits is effectively thrown out of
the window and we’re back to square one.
Another exit and entry stamp in the
passport later we make our way to our original hostel; Supernova, in a town far
larger and more industrialised than its Argentinean equivalent. The five bed
dorm contains two English girls 18 & 19 years young – making us feel our
age. Apparently 18 is too old even for “Smash Hits” magazine…
Our
aspirations for three countries in one day are dashed when we’re informed that
the shops and markets on the Paraguayan side will be closed. Plan B is to head
back to the waterfalls – so packing up the ponchos (though thankfully the rain
has stopped) we bus it to the Parque Nationale where 37 Reais (£9.30) later
we’re walking upstream alongside the post-waterfall river. This gives us the
postcard landscape views of all the waterfalls we were so close to the day
before.
The lack of rain (although still grey skies) allows us to savour the
views more, including more time standing transfixed trying to imagine just how
much water is constantly tipping over the edge.
There is a walkway out to the edge of one of the falls – Krish
wimps out.
I get soaked.
After a racoon bites my bag in search of food we
scarper.
Having bussed back and dried out we
search out an ice-creamerie/coffee house – where all food is paid for by weight;
from ice-cream to cakes to sandwiches. We sup on a warming coffee content.
For dinner we’re recommended by
Supernova owner Penelope (who very much blows hot and cold as the mood takes
her) a new bar a couple blocks away named Pacova. Language will be such that
Penelope writes a note for us to hand in at the bar. This place delivers KFC
style chicken in a light curry sauce with the ever present oversized bottle of
beer, or three.