Less Than a Day in Iguazu - Argentina

Visiting a huge place like Argentina and a beautiful continent such as  South America, there are so many beautiful places that are really great and worth visiting for. Argentina  alone has so much to offer for a first time traveler like me. But the very main purpose of my trip is to climb Mt. Aconcagua. The expedition alone will take so much of my time (we are only allowed a 30 day visa) and financial resources. In as much as I really want to visit the other beautiful places like Patagonia, Arenales, or Punta de Inca in Argentina or La Paz in Bolivia or Sao Paolo and Rio de Janeiro in Brazil or Macchu Pichu in Peru, I really cannot. 

There is just one place I said to myself I should not miss on this trip, visiting Iguazu, one of the great natural wonders of the world and listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage. This is located in Puerto Iguazu in northern part of Argentina and shared among the boarders of Brazil and Paraguay.  The falls stretch for over one and a half miles on the Iguazu River. Not only do the falls separate Brazil and Argentina, they separate national parks in Argentina and Brazil. In terms of surface water flowing over the falls, they are taller than Niagara Falls, and twice as wide.  2/3 of the popular Devil's Throat section of Iguazu Falls sits on the Argentina side of the border. When translated from the native Indian language, Iguazu roughly translates to mean "Big Water" because truly it's not just big, but very very big.

Both sides of the park are well served with foot trails. On the Argentine side of the park there's a small  train free ride leaving about every half an hour from near the entrance going all the way to the beginning of the trail to the Garganta del Diablo.

The  Falls are an awesome sight as tonnes of water throw themselves over cliffs and the mist rises amongst the jungle which forms some rainbow. It is well worth spending a day on each side of the falls, especially if you plan to do any of the boat rides or other activities offered. Don't just rush past the main viewpoints and leave. It's important to get a good perspective on the park overall to appreciate this awesome sight. Whilst the majority of the falls are in Argentina, a better overview is had from the Brazilian side, that's what they said but having to see just one side of the huge waterfalls, I am already happy overall. 

From Umnibus station at Puerto Iguazu, there is a bus that leaves every less than 10 minutes for AR10.00 starting 7:00am everyday to the Iguazu Park entrance. Bus ride is around 15 minutes from the main bus station to the park.  Park entrance every 8:00am. The same bus will take you back to the  city up to 7:30 in the evening. On the Argentine side (100 AR$ pp, second day for half price if you get your ticket stamped before leaving on the first day, subsequent days are free if you tell them you are staying at the Sheraton). Wear waterproofs and protect your camera as it can get quite wet on some viewpoints. Some people visit the waterfalls in swimsuits (recommended in summer). The park itself is fairly well organized, they have a train line so you can get from the entrance to the main circuits (Circuito Superior, Garganta del Diablo, etc.). They also have food stands inside the park close to the train stations, but food and drinks are very expensive there. It is a good idea to bring some food and water if you are going to spend the day on the park. During summer, it's going to be very hot, so wear cotton shirt or just tank top and board shorts, and bring lots of water. I saw one drinking fountain where one can refill water bottle, a good option than buying inside the park, it's very expensive.

There are five main tracks all of which are paved and well marked with the exception of Sendero Macuco:
Circuito Superior - is a short walk to some nice viewpoints along the upper rim of the waterfalls
Circuito Inferior - is a longer walk on the bottom end of the falls with the main attraction being the lookout to watch Salto Bossetti and Dos Hermanas. This pathway leads also to the free ferry service to Isla San Martin (that may or not be closed), and the tour operators.
Isla San Martin - has two main lookouts to different sides of the falls. There are also a lot of birds. Access by boat only (free). This may be closed when the river level is high. You can always ask the park authorities or watch the information tv sets within the park to see if the access to the island is open.
Garganta del Diablo - The main attraction of the Argentine side. There is a free train running up to a 1 km-long walkway across the river to stand just back from the main horseshoe of falls where the roar and spray are most tremendous.
Sendero Macuco - is the trail through the rainforest to the Arrechea waterfall and is a good way to get away from the crowds. It's about 7 km return on an unpaved but easy path starting at the Estacion Central. Swimming is possible beneath the fall, so consider bringing a bathing suit and towel. An informative brochure for the trail is available from the park information desk. It is recommended to do it in daylight, so don't start it if it's 3 or 4PM.
Garganta del Diablo is the main attraction on the Argentine side - do not leave without having seen it.
boats. Go in boats on the river

Argentine side

• Iguazu Jungle Explorer, info@iguazujunglexplorer.com, [2]: offers trips, including boat rides (recommended) and rides on 4WD trucks through the park (not so interesting). To be booked near the entrance or on the circuito inferior before going down to the ferry. If you do one of the boat rides (AR$100 for a short one, AR$200 for a long one which also takes you some way down the river), prepare to get soaked to the skin (you'll receive a dry bag for your camera). 

I join all the rides, but if I may suggest you can do almost all on your own having just to follow the map that you can get at the entrance of the park. It's only best to join the boat ride that will bring you up close to the falls and even making you soak wet and come out drenched in the water. That has been a great experience for me. But because I am in so much hurry due to my time constraint, no regrets that I joined all the guided tour. This place is simply amazing and I will always want to visit this place again, given a chance someday. 

And It's Time to Travel to Argentina

On November 28, after several months of planning, the time has come for me to finally leave the Philippines and make a 36 hour travel to Argentina for our expedition to Mt. Aconcagua. I pass by Narita Japan via Nippon Airways, a lay over of 2 hours then travel for 11 hours to Houston, a lay over of more than 7 hours then a 10 hour plane ride via Continental Airlines to Buenos Aires. Traveling alone on such a long flight is a no joke, I wish I have a buddy around whom I can share the adventure and misadventures but I just really cannot be on the same flight with my climbing buddies on this adventure. Because I have a US visa and Continental Airways is much cheaper than Qatar Airlines, our first airline of choice, I just really cannot be with  them and they cannot fly through Continental as well due to visa issues, so I travel alone.

But one good about traveling alone I got to meet new friends. From Manila to Houston I met Jenny who travel for the first time to the US to finally reunite with her fiance. We had a long trip together, Manila Narita, Narita Houston.  And while on my way to Buenos Aires I met Nely  while at the pre-boarding area,  she lives in Buenos Aires who travel from China She was kind enough to help me with the transportation when my supposedly hotel taxi airport pick up did not show up. She wants to invite me to her place when I drop by Buenos Aires after the climb but of course I was not able to do that anymore.

Having to sit on the plane for several hours is a no joke, I just make use of what ever the plane can offer, eat the food that is served, watch movie when ever I want to, take enough sleep for as long as I can. And having to wait at the airport is a no joke either, I just explore several corners of the airport after finding out that a wifi is not available and my phone's international roaming is not activated, only to find out later my other phone will not work on a develop country like US and Argentina.  And because I am really saving what ever amount of money I have on this trip, I decided to bring food from the Philippines, unfortunately most of it is on my supposedly carry on luggage that I check in after the counter told me I am allowed one more luggage for check in (making it 2 check in luggage). I made sure my 4 bread talk corned beef bun will keep me nourished until I board the plane going to Buenos Aires.

Boarding the last leg of my flight shows that I am now going to a different continent or rather even before boarding the plane. While waiting at the pre-boarding area, Latino looking and speaking passengers are already everywhere, I very much look different to them, and I think I am the only Asian looking person on that flight.

Arriving Buenos Aires on November 29 is a mixed feeling of relief that my long flight is finally over, excitement because so much adventure is in-store for me  on this big country and at the same time a bit scared, I really do not know what will happen to me on my almost a month stay here. It took me more than an hour to pass through immigration, the line is just really too long and so many tourists passengers  like me.  I thank Nely for waiting for me at the baggage area. After passing through customs, Ezeiza airport will be more an hour drive to the city where my hostel is located. It's still 10:30 in the morning.

As we leave the airport, my eyes are all around the place, looking at the places we pass by while talking to Nely who happens to speak very little English and I happen to speak nor understand very little Spanish. But we managed to converse. I drop her off first before I proceed to my hostel, Hostel Colonial. And to my surprise, our hostel is at the second floor of a commercial establishment, what makes it more surprising is that the door of the hostel leads to a long stairway to the second floor. It is where the hostel reception is located without elevator. A super good luck to me, how will I be able to carry my 24 kilos XL duffel in order for me to reach the reception area, if only this is a backpack, I  know I will be able to manage to carry it. After several minutes of thinking I thank one guy from the second floor offer a help, he is one of the guest in the hostel.

I check in, settle on my bed on a room packed with 4 double decks without aircon  unit. The lady opened the door from the terrace for a cooler ventilation. Ok, probably this is how things are here, the room does not have windows but big doors. The room is really crowded but I think this will just be for the night, this is going to be ok. After eating a late lunch from the food that I bring from the Philippines (canned tuna paella, sachet of swift corned beef and red ribbon  ensaymada bread) I decided to take a nap. I am just too tired to even take a bath. I noticed it gets dark late so I take a light dinner from my food again that I bring from PH, I am just so scared to explore the place alone on the evening. My climb buddies Zenon and Ramon arrive 11:00pm. And finally we are complete.

Tips on what to bring on a more than 36 hour trip:
1. Toothbrush and toothpaste. It feels good after a meal in the plane to at least brush my teeth before going back to sleep.
2. Comb and other toiletries. I totally forget to bring mine on the carry on luggage, not even a comb. So I just hide my hair on a baseball cap that I wear.
3. Panty Liner. After several times of going to the lavatory, it just feels great to feel fresh by changing the liner.
4. First Aid Kit with Meds. My allergic rhinitis got triggered by the cold temperature, and I am just glad I brought meds with me.
5. Food, many of it and substantial one. While on long lay over on several airports and while on tipid (save) mode, it's best to bring food, not just candies and cookies but substantial one like bread or even rice and viand.
6. Enough warm clothes. It gets so cold on the plane and on the airport.

Facts about the trip:
Stayed at Hostel Colonial in Buenos Aires for $48.00AR (PhP480.00)
Taxi from the airport $150.00AR   (PhP1,500.00)
Upon arrival at Ezeiza airport, change at least USD$100.00 at the bank right after you exit the airport after passing through customs. The exchange rate is not so good but you will need AR to pay for the ride to the city and upon check-in in the hotel. At least enough money even before  one can find a money changer or bank with a good exchange rate.

Our Argentina Visa is Finally Out

Getting an Argetina Visa has been a challenge for the team. At first we just comply  and prepare the documents required and decided to file early part of November. We still have more than 15 days to do it anyway. But when the Argentine Embassy in the Philippines required additional documents that needs to be notarized in Argentina and original papers should be submitted to their office it was where the three of us got concerned. It's a big hassle requesting the documents notarized in Mendoza by our outfitter, Aconcagua Trek. Good thing their Director was kind enough to do all the hassle just for us to get a visa. So, this is it....

'Say It In Spanish' Pocket Size Phrase Book

Just to satisfy my  little anxiety and worry if I'll be able to communicate and convey my message across when I travel to Argentina especially on those times that I will be alone, I decided to drop by Power Books and get a pocket sized Spanish phrase book, Say It In Spanish.

As I go through the different Spanish dictionaries and phrase books, to my mind I was thinking, I will get one to the hope that this booklet will help me remember my little Spanish that I learn in college decades ago. And given the remaining three weeks left for me to go through the booklet, I just hope this will give me the courage to communicate in Spanish correctly.

I can now feel butterfly in my stomach.