Great Waters - A "Somewhere Sunday" Post

Iguazu Falls

This week's "Somewhere Sunday" journey takes us to the border between Argentina and Brazil to one of the world's greatest waterfalls.   


What's wider than Victoria Falls and higher than Niagra Falls?  You guessed it - Iguazu Falls. Well, that's if you are in Argentina.  If you're in Brazil it's Iguacu Falls - named by the Tupi Guarani people and translating to "great waters."  Whatever you happen to call it, it is the magnitude and grandeur of these great cataracts that one remembers. Spanning an area of 2.5 miles, the Iguacu River flows around rocky ledges and small islands creating 275 separate falls plunging 269 feet to the river below.  People say Iguazu Falls is one of the world's wonders...well, let's go wondering!

For an idea of the scale, look at those tiny little people at the upper right hand corner of the photo.

We'll begin our day in Argentina where views of the Iguacu River falling over the escarpment are best - but first, cover your camera and put on your hat and raincoat. Deceptively calm, the river quickly changes its character as it nears the drop off.  Wet and loud, it is so well worth the bath!  

As amazing as this side of the falls are, we won't stop here for long.  We've got to purchase our day visa and catch a cab across the border into Brazil so we can experience the full effect of the falls from below.

But our trip isn't finished yet...we've an exciting end to our journey today...we're going to do a fly over of Iguazu Falls courtesy of the BBC and Planet Earth.  So, strap on your seat belts, take your Dramamine and click here.  We'll see you on the other side...