Saturday, January 19, 2019 – Last View of Iguazu
Up early today, long before the alarm at 6:30. We were off at 7:00 again for breakfast at the Melia, with more views of the falls. We liked the early start we got yesterday and wanted to try that again.
So we found ourselves hiking the lower circuit at 8:10, and because of the early start, it was almost a private tour. We saw a flock of toucans as we started off which was great! Except that I had forgotten to bring my camera. Of course!
The first waterfall was named after Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca.
Amazingly, there were little birds clinging to the rock walls behind the waterfall! There are a few species of swift who nest on the rock behind waterfalls. Not sure which one this is.
They seem to have big eyes, for birds. They fly right into the waterfall. Fearless!
Now and then you can sneak a peek at Devil's Throat, off in the distance.
The circuit is incredible. There are falls everywhere; it’s overwhelming!
The two on the left are Adam and Eve Falls. The larger one is Bossetti Falls.
Here is a view from closer up. If you walk to the end of the catwalk you will get pretty wet!
Two Sisters Falls. Named for the two daughters of the second provincial governor. No word why the first governor didn't get that honor!
A look at our path among the waterfalls. The circuit was nicely done and the views were great. Now we started climbing to the upper circuit.
We saw monkeys and coatis along the way, of course. Because I didn’t have my camera! So I got a few cell phone shots. And a still shot frame grab from Chris's camera video.
This coati was just hanging out, begging to have his picture taken.
This caiman wasn't so close. At least he didn't care if we took his picture too.
We moved on to the upper circuit and that was a little more crowded. This is a different perspective of Adam, Eve, and Bossetti Falls.
On the upper circuit, you walk over the tops of the same falls you've seen from below. Nice to get both perspectives here.
We had been on this catwalk just a few minutes ago. Now we are at the top of Bossetti Falls.
Here you are up close to the water as it rushes to the edge and tumbles into the void.
One last shot of the powerful river before we left the trail and walked back to the Melia Hotel.
Along the way, there is an old hotel which was the original one in this area. We had a few minutes to check it out along the way. Despite the (relative) crowds, we got to see everything quite well. And, the rain held off which was a great bonus, as the skies had looked threatening all morning.
We were back at the Melia by 11:00, and then home for an early lunch. They started serving at 12:30 so we ate outside and watched the storm clouds. I had some short ribs.
Chris had a local fish with plantain chips.
We lingered over dessert and coffee before making one last trip to the villa.
Then it was time to pack up and (reluctantly) leave our villa at 2:30. Nieves picked up our luggage and we said our goodbyes to the incredible staff, then took our leave. Back to the airport!
The check-in lines weren’t long, but you can’t pass through security before your flight is called, so there was a crowd outside security. And it was a scrum to get through when the time came.
No biggie, but when we got through, we didn’t see a sky priority line for boarding. So we joined the very long line for our row. Once boarding time approached they put up a sky priority sign so we hopped into that, and we were one of the first to board. By jetway!
The flight to BA was very smooth. We took off and then turned in a northerly direction, then turned west over Paraguay.
We crossed over the Parana River, into the Missiones Province of Argentina again, and then flew over parts of Brazil.
We skirted the river dividing Uruguay from Argentina,
Before we touched down at Newberry airport a few minutes early. Unfortunately there was another bus to the terminal…
Luggage claim was slow so we weren’t out of there until almost 7:15. We found a taxi, and the route wasn’t too circuitous. The ride took about 20 minutes, for $300 (US$ 7) – less than I’d expected to pay. We checked in and asked about a late checkout tomorrow, corresponding to our late flight, and got a confusing answer. So we figured we’d check back later.
We settled in and then went out wandering for a late (for us) dinner. First we checked out the happenings on Florida Street, which was fairly busy with street performers, vendors, and a few stores still open.
Nothing there to eat, so we came back to have a snack at Dandy, a café on the north side of Place San Martin, which our hotel staff had recommended. Salad and flatbreads hit the spot, along with some rosé wine.
Then off to bed! Tomorrow, we have no real plans so we can sleep in.
Up early today, long before the alarm at 6:30. We were off at 7:00 again for breakfast at the Melia, with more views of the falls. We liked the early start we got yesterday and wanted to try that again.
 |
| Salto Alvar Nunez, Lower Circuit |
The first waterfall was named after Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca.
Amazingly, there were little birds clinging to the rock walls behind the waterfall! There are a few species of swift who nest on the rock behind waterfalls. Not sure which one this is.
They seem to have big eyes, for birds. They fly right into the waterfall. Fearless!
Now and then you can sneak a peek at Devil's Throat, off in the distance.
 |
| View of Salto San Martin, from Lower Circuit, Iguazu NP |
The circuit is incredible. There are falls everywhere; it’s overwhelming!
 |
| Salto Adam, Eve, Bossetti, Lower Circuit, Iguazu NP |
The two on the left are Adam and Eve Falls. The larger one is Bossetti Falls.
Here is a view from closer up. If you walk to the end of the catwalk you will get pretty wet!
 |
| Salto Dos Hermanas, Lower Circuit, Iguazu NP |
Two Sisters Falls. Named for the two daughters of the second provincial governor. No word why the first governor didn't get that honor!
A look at our path among the waterfalls. The circuit was nicely done and the views were great. Now we started climbing to the upper circuit.
We saw monkeys and coatis along the way, of course. Because I didn’t have my camera! So I got a few cell phone shots. And a still shot frame grab from Chris's camera video.
This coati was just hanging out, begging to have his picture taken.
This caiman wasn't so close. At least he didn't care if we took his picture too.
We moved on to the upper circuit and that was a little more crowded. This is a different perspective of Adam, Eve, and Bossetti Falls.
On the upper circuit, you walk over the tops of the same falls you've seen from below. Nice to get both perspectives here.
We had been on this catwalk just a few minutes ago. Now we are at the top of Bossetti Falls.
 |
| Salto Mbigua, Upper Circuit, Iguazu NP |
Here you are up close to the water as it rushes to the edge and tumbles into the void.
One last shot of the powerful river before we left the trail and walked back to the Melia Hotel.
Along the way, there is an old hotel which was the original one in this area. We had a few minutes to check it out along the way. Despite the (relative) crowds, we got to see everything quite well. And, the rain held off which was a great bonus, as the skies had looked threatening all morning.
 |
| Beef Ribs with Cassva - Lunch at Awasi Iguazu |
 |
| Broga with Plantain Chips - Lunch at Awasi Iguazu |
Chris had a local fish with plantain chips.
We lingered over dessert and coffee before making one last trip to the villa.
Then it was time to pack up and (reluctantly) leave our villa at 2:30. Nieves picked up our luggage and we said our goodbyes to the incredible staff, then took our leave. Back to the airport!
The check-in lines weren’t long, but you can’t pass through security before your flight is called, so there was a crowd outside security. And it was a scrum to get through when the time came.
No biggie, but when we got through, we didn’t see a sky priority line for boarding. So we joined the very long line for our row. Once boarding time approached they put up a sky priority sign so we hopped into that, and we were one of the first to board. By jetway!
 |
| Taking off from Puerto Iguazu |
The flight to BA was very smooth. We took off and then turned in a northerly direction, then turned west over Paraguay.
 |
| Paraguay Flyover, AR 1733 IGR-AEP |
 |
| Parana River, Paraguay-Argentina Border, AR 1733 IGR-AEP |
We crossed over the Parana River, into the Missiones Province of Argentina again, and then flew over parts of Brazil.
 |
| Uruguay River, Uruguay-Argentina Border |
We skirted the river dividing Uruguay from Argentina,
 |
| Approaching Buenos Aires, AR 1733 IGR-AEP |
Before we touched down at Newberry airport a few minutes early. Unfortunately there was another bus to the terminal…
Luggage claim was slow so we weren’t out of there until almost 7:15. We found a taxi, and the route wasn’t too circuitous. The ride took about 20 minutes, for $300 (US$ 7) – less than I’d expected to pay. We checked in and asked about a late checkout tomorrow, corresponding to our late flight, and got a confusing answer. So we figured we’d check back later.
 |
| Dinner at Dandy, Buenos Aires |
Nothing there to eat, so we came back to have a snack at Dandy, a café on the north side of Place San Martin, which our hotel staff had recommended. Salad and flatbreads hit the spot, along with some rosé wine.
Then off to bed! Tomorrow, we have no real plans so we can sleep in.
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