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There was no internet before breakfast, so I had some worries that I had the address of the apartment in Copacabana incorrect. But could not contact Fernanda, so had to assume that the address in the ‘welcome letter’ was the right one. Daniel arrived to collect us on schedule at 8:30, and soon had us across the border, through Argentinian and Brazilian immigration formalities. Once more there was no customs inspection. It was a short drive to the entrance to the Cateratas. Daniel showed us where to meet at 13:30, and dropped us back at the ‘Parc Dos Aves’, which was a sanctuary dedicated to forest birdlife, and gave us access to close up views of a cornucopia of colourful and exotic birds which, if we wished to view in the wild, would have involved many days in sweaty mosquito infested hides in the forest. But for just 170 pesos each, we had as long as we liked to walk past large aviaries, where parrots, macaws, toucans, owls, eagles and flamingos posed just meters from us. In some cases, even the wire separation was removed, and walk through aviaries allowed attempts at the selfie with toucan (Stephen later reported that one lady attempted to kiss the bird in her set shot).
The most spectacular of the open aviaries was the one filled with red and blue macaws (and other smaller parrots), which preened on the perches, scuttled along the ground, and ran periodic dive bombing missions from one end of the aviary to the other. ‘Twas quite unnerving to have one of these feathered guided missiles ‘heading straight for you’. They always missed.
There was also a butterfly and hummingbird aviary, but whilst I spied an array of butterflies, I did not see the hummingbirds. S & C came back with photographic evidence of their existence however. Finally, an opportunity to celebrate International Pirate Day by getting a photo taken with a macaw (one of many ‘rescued’ birds, former pets which have had wings mutilated to prevent them flying).
The most spectacular of the open aviaries was the one filled with red and blue macaws (and other smaller parrots), which preened on the perches, scuttled along the ground, and ran periodic dive bombing missions from one end of the aviary to the other. ‘Twas quite unnerving to have one of these feathered guided missiles ‘heading straight for you’. They always missed.
There was also a butterfly and hummingbird aviary, but whilst I spied an array of butterflies, I did not see the hummingbirds. S & C came back with photographic evidence of their existence however. Finally, an opportunity to celebrate International Pirate Day by getting a photo taken with a macaw (one of many ‘rescued’ birds, former pets which have had wings mutilated to prevent them flying).
Stephen and Clare decided to spend the morning with the birds, but I want on to the Brazilian Cataratas Park, to see the view from the other side. Entry fee was 52.5 Real, but could be paid by credit card. A bus with an open top deck provided cooling breezes as it zipped along to the start of the 1.2 km trail along the cliffs on the Brazilian side of the Iguazu River. There were panoramic views of the complex of waterfalls surrounding Isla Sam Martin, and being at a greater height made for a different perspective, making the double decker nature of the cataracts clearer to see. Hawks wheeled around on the thermals above the river. As the path continued, more spray made itself known, mostly on little viewpoints jutting off the main path and over the cliffs. The finale of the path takes one as close to the heart of the Garganta del Diablo as it is possible to get, and once again, a substantial amount of wetness ensues. A catwalk leads to a gantry at the edge of the fall, allowing a view up into the cauldron from which those on the Argentinian side look down. That is, if one can see through the spray. Vendors of plastic macs were doing a roaring trade. I ran the gauntlet sans protection, then headed for the shelter of the panoramic lookout, where an ugly concrete tower housing an elevator juts up against the cliff. This vantage, gives access to a marvellous platform, where one can stand just a couple of metres from the thundering waterfall, with no spray at all.
A short wait for the elevator (air conditioned!), a few more panoramic shots, then back to the bus for the trip back to the Park Entrance. There was just enough time to take some photos of the gantry on the Argentinian side of the falls, and catch a shot of a coati, against the falls, before it time to leave. The natural AC of the bus ride – deliciously blowy – dried off some of the accumulated spray. Met with Stephen & Clare, and then Daniel arrived to whisk us to the airport.
We checked in and found the terminal small and lacking in facilities. No free wi-fi, no money changer, and a small restaurant (which accepted pesos, so worked like a de facto money changer). We had a 3 hour wait for our flight, which left on time. The sun set as we flew east, it rays glinting off the upstream loops of the Iguazu River. Bought dinner on board (Beer and Doritos for 10 Real), and did some more reading. The flight was occasionally bumpy, but arrival was on time, though with a bus transfer to the terminal and a wait for luggage and a taxi, we did not leave the airport until after 9pm. Taxi costs inside the terminal are about double the true cost. You just have to wait in line. The drive was along expressways and tunnels, before we entered the one way streets of Copacabana. On the way the Christo Redentor was visible, floodlit on its mountaintop. The apartment is right at the top end of Copacabana, with views up to the favelas, and the granite dome of one of the morros.
Cool drinks to end the evening – cold water, beer, lemonade and peanuts.
A short wait for the elevator (air conditioned!), a few more panoramic shots, then back to the bus for the trip back to the Park Entrance. There was just enough time to take some photos of the gantry on the Argentinian side of the falls, and catch a shot of a coati, against the falls, before it time to leave. The natural AC of the bus ride – deliciously blowy – dried off some of the accumulated spray. Met with Stephen & Clare, and then Daniel arrived to whisk us to the airport.
We checked in and found the terminal small and lacking in facilities. No free wi-fi, no money changer, and a small restaurant (which accepted pesos, so worked like a de facto money changer). We had a 3 hour wait for our flight, which left on time. The sun set as we flew east, it rays glinting off the upstream loops of the Iguazu River. Bought dinner on board (Beer and Doritos for 10 Real), and did some more reading. The flight was occasionally bumpy, but arrival was on time, though with a bus transfer to the terminal and a wait for luggage and a taxi, we did not leave the airport until after 9pm. Taxi costs inside the terminal are about double the true cost. You just have to wait in line. The drive was along expressways and tunnels, before we entered the one way streets of Copacabana. On the way the Christo Redentor was visible, floodlit on its mountaintop. The apartment is right at the top end of Copacabana, with views up to the favelas, and the granite dome of one of the morros.
Cool drinks to end the evening – cold water, beer, lemonade and peanuts.