Posts From Brasil

Melo proved to be a bit of a navigational challenge for us, not only could we not find the campground last night but we had to ask directions again this morning even to find the way north out of town. But after a few missteps we were on our way to Aceagua the border town where we would enter Brazil.

Today was another travel day, so there is not a lot to report.

We arrived in Foz Do Iguacu, the Brazilian town on the Iguazu Falls in the early afternoon. While in the process of navigating our way into the center of the town a local man selling tours at a set of traffic lights offered to take us to a camping ground. We accepted, and off we went following him on his little motorcycle. The campground turned out to be very nice, shady, with all the facilities we require (see below).

This afternoon we visited the Itaipu Dam. This is a joint venture dam and hydro power operation between Brazil and Paraguay. Until recently Itaipu was the largest dam and largest hydro operation in the world. The Chinese Three Dams project has taken over the mantle of the largest dam and hydro installation, but Itaipu is still the largest producer of hydro power.

Like the dam yesterday, the falls trip today was a very well organized tourist operation with well maintained and clean facilities.

We spent the morning walking north to Ipanema Beach. As luck would have it, it's Sunday and that's the day locals make the most use of the beaches - apparently. Half the beach front highway is closed so that people can walk, run, ride and just hang out along the beach front. Even though the summer holiday season is over the beach front was crowded. And there was a lot of activity. Many volley ball games, lots of jogging. We were surprised by the number of older (like us) people taking part in strenuous activities. I guess they have to do something to make up for all that beef they seem to eat.

A quiet morning at the hotel, by the pool.

Tonight we went to a combined dinner-show. Dinner was at a (I assume) typical Brazilian barbeque restaurant. A salad bar was provided and waiters came around with big pieces of meat from which they would cut a piece if you asked. Not a recipe for weight control.

There is not much to say about today, a last visit to the pool, a little sun and then into the shuttle bus to the airport and back to Foz Do Inguaçu.

The Lonely Planet guide book warns travelers not to walk over the bridge into Paraguay, but to take a local bus. But late in the morning we found ourselves on the bridge and could not see any signs of danger - unless of course the guide book was referring to the low safety rails.

The bus for our tour to the Argentine side of the falls turned up a little early at 7:50, and off we went. It soon dawned on us that there would be no more passengers today and that this had turned into a private tour. The guide shepherded us through the border into Argentina and not long after 9:00 we were at the parque nacional, had bought our entry tickets and were on the mini-train that took us to the beginning of the 1 km walkway out to the top of Guargantua Diablo, the largest of the falls. We saw this same waterfall from below when we visited the Brazil falls. There was a light fog early in the day so we did not get very good photos of this fall.

The plan today was that the four of us would do some shopping in Paraguay - over that bridge again. Bernie however would be spending some more time at the Brazilian border crossing trying to get his vehicle documents corrected.

We have found the town of Foz do Iguazu and the campground, it's friendly owner Matilda, and the resident pets a very pleasant and relaxing place (except for the Saturday night beer garden next door). Hence the decision to stay one more day and just hang out with the pool, computers, and sun, was an easy one.