The long journey back to Iguazu - 28 Aug 09
It has taken Nathalie and I about 28 hours before we could check-in at the Sheraton in Iguazu National Park but it was SO worth it when we landed that the endless journey is already all forgotten and we are on a complete high from the adreline flowing.
Iberia was as dreadful as ever, our first flight was 30 mins late, but it still left us with two hours to spare in Madrid before we caught our 2nd flight. That one was about 15 mins late, but also still left us with two hours to spare in Buenos Aires before we got onto our flight for Iguazu. I managed to sleep a bit on the longest leg (12H15) but Nathalie having much longer legs struggled a lot more than I did. But I pretty much slept like a baby as we had decent leg room behing right behind a section and not another row of seats.
Food on the short haul was a total rip off, they charged 4 euros for a tiny sandwich made of dry bread, two tiny slides of cheese and no butter. I wouldn't have even served it to my birds on my balcony... but these were desperate measures.... still, next time we will definitely buy a sandwich before we board. Anything else would have been better... Of course, Iberia being one of the world´s airlines there was hardly any entertainment either. Just a couple of movies at night but they were for all to see, not for each of us to select what we wanted to see.... so, I didn´t miss anything by sleeping. If they were not half the price that British Airways charges, we´d never fly Iberia again, but "beggers can´t be choosers" and we are not millionaires yet.
Buenos Aires looked nice, the little we saw of it from the cab. The airport overlooks the sea so and cab rides went very smoothly, I have to say. The guys were there and all our pieces of luggage turned up too. Big sight of relief as I had my friend´s ashes in my checked-in luggage.
We got our first glimpse of the falls from the air (Nathalie got a window seat, thank God), a bit too far for any decent photos though but at least we could see the spray was high in the air which was a good sign: more water.
In case you didn´t know, Brazil had experienced its worst drought in 80 years in May this year and they had only had 20% of the usual amount of rain falling. So I´d been really worried ever since wondering if the falls would look as spectacular as they had, first time I saw them (the 2nd was also not great -- downpour and fewer falls due another unusual drought in July 2007).
So, when Nathalie and I walked our first trail (after a well earned shower !) we were like WOW because we had a perfect, perfect day. The kind of day we did not dare dream of. Beautiful golden light, masses of water and not one, but TWO rainbows to greet us. It was just awesome. She was so excited... and I think it´s probably of the best sightings I´ve seen.
We were also greeted by 3 types of really cute birds, quite big, yellow underneath, blue on top, and they looked like soft toys. Not shy at all. We also saw some small ones on the lawn of the hotel - almost like canaries.
The hotel, I have to say, did not disappoint either. Again, I was expecting it to be pretty average as so many people on Trip Advisor had put it down saying it looked old and they´d made no effort to upgrade it or apply fresh coats of paint, etc. but I found it to be superb. Nathalie and I were both really happy with our room and the hotel grounds are great, with a big outdoor pool and the views of the falls in the background. It also has great restaurants with very nice menus and the prices aren´t as astronomical as I´d feared either. About 10 UK pounds for a risotto... well, I can think of many West End restaurants that would charge that and they wouldn´t be able to offer the kind of backdrop that you´d get here. Our big regret is that if we had timed it a bit better, we could have enjoyed a meal right by the Devil´s Throat (the biggest of all the falls) by moonlight. Everybody says it´s a magical, unforgettable experience but the full moon is happening about 4 days after we´re gone. Oh well... I guess it´ll give me a reason to come back one day.
We are hoping to go over to Brazil tomorrow. We are considering several options... we´ll definitely go to Parques de Aves because I really want Nathalie to experience how utterly gorgeous and inquisitve tucans can be (and you can walk in an aviary where they come to you) and I really want her to experience the Macuco Boat Safari where they take you right to the bottom of the falls, and we are debating whether to book a helicopter flight as well but it would only be for 10-12 minutes and would cost US$100, which is quite pricey. We saw quite a few fly over the falls today but they were quite high up... and I worry the perspective will shrink. I am convinced the better view is from the bottom up, to appreciate the height and magnitude of the falls, but who knows... We will play it by ear and see what the weather´s like as well.
On this note, I´ll love you and leave you and will head for dinner as we are getting quite hungry. It is +4H in our stomachs, so we´re well overdue for a meal.
I really wish you could all be here... it is really is an unparalleled sight on Planet Earth.
Bisous, Sylvie x
It has taken Nathalie and I about 28 hours before we could check-in at the Sheraton in Iguazu National Park but it was SO worth it when we landed that the endless journey is already all forgotten and we are on a complete high from the adreline flowing.
Iberia was as dreadful as ever, our first flight was 30 mins late, but it still left us with two hours to spare in Madrid before we caught our 2nd flight. That one was about 15 mins late, but also still left us with two hours to spare in Buenos Aires before we got onto our flight for Iguazu. I managed to sleep a bit on the longest leg (12H15) but Nathalie having much longer legs struggled a lot more than I did. But I pretty much slept like a baby as we had decent leg room behing right behind a section and not another row of seats.
Food on the short haul was a total rip off, they charged 4 euros for a tiny sandwich made of dry bread, two tiny slides of cheese and no butter. I wouldn't have even served it to my birds on my balcony... but these were desperate measures.... still, next time we will definitely buy a sandwich before we board. Anything else would have been better... Of course, Iberia being one of the world´s airlines there was hardly any entertainment either. Just a couple of movies at night but they were for all to see, not for each of us to select what we wanted to see.... so, I didn´t miss anything by sleeping. If they were not half the price that British Airways charges, we´d never fly Iberia again, but "beggers can´t be choosers" and we are not millionaires yet.
Buenos Aires looked nice, the little we saw of it from the cab. The airport overlooks the sea so and cab rides went very smoothly, I have to say. The guys were there and all our pieces of luggage turned up too. Big sight of relief as I had my friend´s ashes in my checked-in luggage.
We got our first glimpse of the falls from the air (Nathalie got a window seat, thank God), a bit too far for any decent photos though but at least we could see the spray was high in the air which was a good sign: more water.
In case you didn´t know, Brazil had experienced its worst drought in 80 years in May this year and they had only had 20% of the usual amount of rain falling. So I´d been really worried ever since wondering if the falls would look as spectacular as they had, first time I saw them (the 2nd was also not great -- downpour and fewer falls due another unusual drought in July 2007).
So, when Nathalie and I walked our first trail (after a well earned shower !) we were like WOW because we had a perfect, perfect day. The kind of day we did not dare dream of. Beautiful golden light, masses of water and not one, but TWO rainbows to greet us. It was just awesome. She was so excited... and I think it´s probably of the best sightings I´ve seen.
We were also greeted by 3 types of really cute birds, quite big, yellow underneath, blue on top, and they looked like soft toys. Not shy at all. We also saw some small ones on the lawn of the hotel - almost like canaries.
The hotel, I have to say, did not disappoint either. Again, I was expecting it to be pretty average as so many people on Trip Advisor had put it down saying it looked old and they´d made no effort to upgrade it or apply fresh coats of paint, etc. but I found it to be superb. Nathalie and I were both really happy with our room and the hotel grounds are great, with a big outdoor pool and the views of the falls in the background. It also has great restaurants with very nice menus and the prices aren´t as astronomical as I´d feared either. About 10 UK pounds for a risotto... well, I can think of many West End restaurants that would charge that and they wouldn´t be able to offer the kind of backdrop that you´d get here. Our big regret is that if we had timed it a bit better, we could have enjoyed a meal right by the Devil´s Throat (the biggest of all the falls) by moonlight. Everybody says it´s a magical, unforgettable experience but the full moon is happening about 4 days after we´re gone. Oh well... I guess it´ll give me a reason to come back one day.
We are hoping to go over to Brazil tomorrow. We are considering several options... we´ll definitely go to Parques de Aves because I really want Nathalie to experience how utterly gorgeous and inquisitve tucans can be (and you can walk in an aviary where they come to you) and I really want her to experience the Macuco Boat Safari where they take you right to the bottom of the falls, and we are debating whether to book a helicopter flight as well but it would only be for 10-12 minutes and would cost US$100, which is quite pricey. We saw quite a few fly over the falls today but they were quite high up... and I worry the perspective will shrink. I am convinced the better view is from the bottom up, to appreciate the height and magnitude of the falls, but who knows... We will play it by ear and see what the weather´s like as well.
On this note, I´ll love you and leave you and will head for dinner as we are getting quite hungry. It is +4H in our stomachs, so we´re well overdue for a meal.
I really wish you could all be here... it is really is an unparalleled sight on Planet Earth.
Bisous, Sylvie x
posted by Sylvie at 9:11 PM
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