Iguazu Falls...

Hello Everybody,

We just got back from our amazing day spent at Iguazu National Park. People say all the time that pictures don't do a place justice. Well, pictures could never even summarize the experience had at Iguazu. When you are standing just meters away from Garganta Del Diablo, it feels like the world is no longer round. We thought about Alvar Nuñez Cabeza, who first discovered the falls in 1541. What would it have felt like to stumble upon 275 falls that seem to combine into one massive waterfall? Eleanor Roosevelt was quoted as saying, "poor Niagara," when she first laid eyes on Iguazu.

For those of you who have never been, please go. It will be one of the most breathtaking days of your life. We were able to visit the Argentina side (Iguazu is shared between Argentina and Brazil). We would have needed a visa for $160 each to visit the Brazil portion. Most of the falls are in Argentina anyway so this was ok for us. We started the day doing the upper and lower loops. We then took a boat over to San Martin island for an up close and personal view of a section of the falls. After this, we took a speed boat into the falls, literally under two of the falls. It was the best shower we could have asked for. Soaking wet, we took the train over to Garganta Del Diablo and stared at the water rushing, fighting for a way to get to the bottom. In fact, there is so much water gushing out that you cannot see near the bottom due to the mist that is created. While in the park, it is not just the falls you get to experience. Iguazu is home to a large number of creatures, some which we had never seen. Toucans even live there, but we were not fortunate enough to see one while we were in the park. Maybe next time we go. Please enjoy the following images. Even though they will not represent the full experience of Iguazu, we hope that they will inspire one or more of you to go and see the world's most spectacular waterfalls.




Our first site of the falls, the upper loop
















The lower loop

















On the way to our boat headed toward San Martin island







On a boat




A viewpoint on San Martin island










Now that's a waterfall




Another section of the falls. This is one area our speed boat would go




Speed boat time. One of the many highlights of our day. A must do in Iguazu




From our boat- Another boat getting engulfed by the power of this water. We were next!




We also went under the fall on the far left. Last picture before we got drenched







Some lucky creatures

The coati- a cunning creature that loves tomatoes apparently




That broom would eventually help recover the tomatoes to there rightful owner







These rodents came out in the afternoon




Our lizard friend. He didn't like to be in pictures, but he is so photogenic




This butterfly was not only beautiful on the outside, but was also beautiful on the inside







The king of the falls




Some vultures, who had an amazing view, watching the falls




And now, Garganta Del Diablo, the devils throat




The long walk of anticipation







Getting there...




Holy s**t

























This was one of the best days of our trip so far and we feel so fortunate that we got to see Iguazu in our lives. We hope that you all will see it one day as well. We are taking a long bus ride back to Buenos Aires in a few hours. Then we will fly to Ushuaia (in Patagonia) on Tuesday, which is often tagged as the Southernmost city in the entire world. This will begin our Patagonian adventure full of trekking, camping, glaciers and penguins. See everyone next time from Ushuaia.

-Mila and Scott

Disclaimer- images on www.wherethewindtakesus.com may not be copied or distributed without permission

-Posted around the world from our iPad

Location:Calle Fray Luis Beltran,Puerto Iguazú,Argentina

Cafe Con Leche y Tres Medialunas in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Hola familia y amigos,

We have finally made it back to our side of the world. In three very long days, we traversed the globe from Bali, Indonesia to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Mila documented our journey in an email she sent to our family. Here are the details of the hectic voyage




To fill you guys in on the last several exciting days...
We took off from Bali at around 10 am for our flight at 1pm 1/15/13
2 hours 40 minutes later we were in Singapore. Since our next flight wasn't until 2 am, we decided to hit the town to see some of the light shows again. Back to the airport at 10pm..check in at 11pm for flight only to be told we cannot board the flight without having an onward ticket from Argentina....shit! Spend 2 hours looking for a refundable flight/ arguing with the staff. Finally buy a refundable ticket only to hear "oh we don't actually need to see it"...really???
(in 15 countries traveled never have we been asked for an onward ticket)
Flight to Qatar, Doha airport 7.5 hours
3 hour layover
Flight to San Paola, Brazil 14.5 hours
Stay on plane for 1 hour as new passengers load
Flight to Buenos Aires 2.5 hours
At this point we are 1/4 alive and I nearly have a heart attack as the plane almost lands (literally 3 feet from the ground) then violently jerks back up into the sky. I look back and the flight attendant is shaking her head and looks rather pale. I panic and pray that our lives are not over. Scott is too tired to realize how scared i am. 20 minutes later, after more circling the skies at a very slow pace, we land
"The incident" is never talked about...
We arrive BA 1/16/13 and after customs we head outside. Passport control does not ask for onward flight as we thought...
Booking forward ticket- pointless and unnecessary and too stressful
Next we realize we made a reservation for our hostel for the incorrect day 17 not 16... We decide to spend the night at the airport and head to our hostel via a 2 hour bus ride at 7 am. We arrive at 10 am for a glorious shower. From the door of our hotel in Bali to the door of our hotel in Buenos Aires, 58 hours elapsed.


As you can imagine, we were quite happy to see our home in the San Telmo barrio of Buenos Aires when we eventually made it there. We hadn't slept in 3 days, but we decided to hit the town anyway. We walked around a bit and found a lovely little cafe to enjoy our first taste of Argentina. We had a great waiter and a nice bottle of wine. After lunch/ dinner we went back to the hotel and fell asleep at 4:00 PM. We didn't wake until the following day, well needed. Thank you sleep deprivation and wine.

Some observations from our first five days in this new country and continent:

1) South America is not nearly as inexpensive as South East Asia. We cannot believe a restaurant would have the audacity to charge $10- $15 for a dinner. In South East Asia, meals are $2- $5 and delicious. This will take some mental and financial adjustments

2) Many people we have spoken to in Buenos Aires don't speak any English. In most countries, the citizens adjust to the rest of the world and learn English. In Argentina, it seems like the citizens speak Spanish and it's up to the tourists to be competent in that language. We have enjoyed being able to have some BASIC conversations with the locals in their own tongue.

3) Argentina has a lot to offer. The more we look into it, the more excited we get to experience the natural beauty of this country. In the next two months, we will see the Iguazu Waterfalls (on a bus there as we write this) and Patagonia. Both of these have been high on our bucket lists since we first dreamed of this vacation. If you have never seen these places, look them up. It is hard to imagine that places this beautiful exist.

Please enjoy the following images from our first week in Buenos Aires

Cafe con leche y tres medialunas- we have been making a daily practice out of this morning tradition and will soon have to go on a 12 step detox program to get the butter out of our veins




San Telmo- the oldest barrio, European style with cobblestone streets










Our accommodations... Just kidding. We prefer not to stay with ghosts




La Boca- the most colorful streets we have ever seen lined with artists, shops, restaurants and tango dancers













A couple dancing the tango at a restaurant while an older gentlemen waits for his chance to sing







Mila wore her most colorful shirt as to not stand out







Around the area










Empanadas grande y delicioso




Buenos Aires Centro




Casa Rosada- this balcony is where Evita (Eva Peron) gave her moving speeches to the people of Argentina










Beautiful lights throughout the city




Teatro Colon- one of the most famous theaters in the world




Recoletta cemetery- many well known Argentinians are buried here including Evita. It's hard to know what face to make when you are in front of a grave and people are staring at you







Mila loves cemeteries




Other sites in Recoletta







For those Bill and Ted fans out there




Feria de San Telmo- occurs every Sunday. The main square was right outside our front door. People are selling everything you can think of. The booths go on for over a mile. If you click on the picture, you can see how far it goes




They still got it!!!




Music and street performers







Sleep standing




San Marco square- not sure where that light was coming from




Either Mila shrunk or that bench is huge







Parks around Palermo







The cobblestone streets of Palermo Soho




MALBA museum










Artwork by Frida Kahlo




And finally, King Kong constructed entirely out of marijuana. It was behind glass. Apparently people were trying to light it on fire... Or maybe it just has a high street value




We will see everyone next time from the majestic Igauzu Falls. If any of you want to join us on our adventure through Patagonia, let us know. We would love to have you.

-Scott and Mila

P.s. Thanks to Ryan, Pat, Tomo and everybody else for all your comments on the Ubud, Bali post. We have enjoyed reading them


Disclaimer- images on www.wherethewindtakesus.com may not be copied or distributed without permission

- Posted around the world from our iPad

Location:Calle Fray Luis Beltran,Puerto Iguazú,Argentina