Cataratas de Iguazú - A Photo Journal

CHALLENGE  ACCOMPLISHMENT # 8

THE RESOLUTION: Travel Stories

WELCOME TO IGUAZÚ

I could start off with words like magnificent, striking, awesome, thunderous, phenomenal, spectacular, or breathtaking. These would all be accurate if understated descriptions of this wonder of the world.

Without speaking to the constantly admired qualities of the waterfalls themselves, I want to praise another impressive aspect of Argentina's Iguazú National Park: the protective ingenuity and creativity that went into the creation of numerous circuits, footpaths, platforms, and extraordinary viewpoints of the nearly 300 individual falls.

The Upper Circuit is a kilometre long footbridge to the mouth of 'Devil's Throat' 

The platform here gives panoramic views of the roaring falls battering all your senses at once. Though be prepared to fight the crowds for a good photograph. 

       The liquid deluge is collected 80 metres below and carried away by the Rio Paraná.  

All along the Argentinian crest there are proper paths with well designed platforms posed at different levels; each giving innovative new perspectives of the cascades. 

Multiple cliffs and islets divide the water streams into separate waterfalls ranging between 60-80 metre drops. 

Views from down river show the vast area consumed by these falls. The right side, including Isla (Island)San Martín pictured in the centre is Argentinian land. The landmass on the left is Brazilian territory.

  A mid-level display of raw power and the most brilliant, colour saturated rainbows I've ever encountered. 

Apart from the labyrinth of paths, there multiple ways get up close and personal both above and below the falls. Mellow rides through the jungle above and more adrenaline activating power rides are available departing from both countries. 

Just in case you were thinking "it doesn't look THAT big!" 

        My face to face with Iguazú on the lower level. Just you try and keep you camera dry for this shot!

If rushing white water inches from your body doesn't sound like your thing (or all the above simply is not enough for you), head over to the Brazilian side and take to the skies for jaw dropping sights you won't soon forget. 

Argentina (to the left) tends to be much more highly regarded than its neighbours' views and activities. 

 In a closer shot you can easily observe the Argentinian platform at the Devil's Throat (top centre).

 In the co-pilot seat overseeing the grand
Waterfalls of Iguazú.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Center in 1984, the Iguazú National Park is also home to an extreme diversity of plant and wildlife in an increasingly threatened environment. 

 Aerial wildlife includes birds of unusual evolutionary colours such as this plush-crested jay. 

On land there is a plethora of easily spotted small mammals, though the elusive big cats of South America such as pumas and jaguars also lurk the jungles. Beware of these cute, confident and overly comfortable Coatis. Close relatives to the raccoons, they've been known to attack, though it was a guilty pleasure of mine to watch tourists squirm and run when they got too close. 

As I followed the footpaths over the plentiful wide streams leading to the mouth of Iguazú, I spotted dozens of turtles sunbathing on rocks, logs and the stone ruins of the previous footbridge; long ago razed by the river currents. Other surprising sights were massive and clearly powerful catfish that seemed to somehow be swimming in place against the strong waters washing them towards the falls. 

One woman. One year. 169 Resolutions.