Iguazu (by Joe)

I´ve always felt that waterfalls are generally overrated as sights to see.

One of the recurring experiences we had through South East Asia was that we´d pop along to the tourist office of whatever town we were in and ask what there was to do in the area. Almost invariably we´d immediately be told that we must visit the local waterfall. We´d then march several miles (uphill) to be confronted with a poor excuse for a dribble running a metre or two over a mossy rock.

This is definitely not the case, however, with the mighty Iguazu falls on the Brazil - Argentina border. Fed by 30 rivers, the falls comprise 275 separate drops of up to 74 metres, along a width of nearly three kilometres. The volume of water ranges from 1,750 cubic metres per second in dry season to 12,750 cubic metres in wet season (we went not in full wet season, but after heavy rains) . On both sides of the falls, there are wonderfully set up national parks with walkways over the river, around and in one case, under, the falls, giving you views from every angle and direction.

We spent a wonderful morning on either side watching (jaws dropped) at the volumes of tumbling water, and merrily snapping photos of the rainbows which appeared whenever the sun broke through the mist. It was truly a wonder to behold.

Here´s some pics:

However we also found another entertaining feature of the park on the Brazilian side - the consistently ropey translations of public information signs:

... most amusing!

Joe