Chasing Rainbows

Yes Ok, book lovers, we know we've nicked the title from John McCarthy's book but it was just too perfect not to use for this piece. So perfect to summarise Iguassu falls...without doubt the most beautiful sight we have ever seen.

We went to the Brazilian side of the falls on Sunday and Argentinian side today. They are a collection of 275 waterfalls on the Iguassu river on the foot of Brazil and at the top of Argentina.

The Brazillian side was breath taking with amazing panoramic views. Tripping over the racoons we shuffled towards the edges of the observation points and here we are just lost for words. No words can do the beauty of them justice, we can only describe the magnificance of the falls and the wonder of the spray when the falls hit the river below and the sheer magic of the rainbows which rise from the spray. Truly beautiful and utterly breathtaking. We will just let our photos do the talking when we finally find an internet cafe that lets us upload them.

The Argentinian side was a different experience altogether. In Brazil, you become a voyeur of nature at it's most beautiful; Argentinian side you are so close to the falls that you feel you are almost part of the event. Devil's Throat is the area where the main Falls start and end, in a mist of vapour so thick that rainbows cirle and arc beneath.

We also went on a boat trip that took us round and under the falls then down the river. It was fortunate that the day was so hot as Beth had water in rather embarrasing places - frankly, it looked like she had wet herself! The boat trip ended and we picked up a safari jeep through the rest of the jungle. A bit frightening as on boarding they handed us a leaflet on how to protect ourselves from the wild cats that can sometimes attack the tourists. We proceeded with caution!

We also made some friends on the 2 days of trips and as we were all such a mix, ended up calling each other by our nationality instead of names. The Austrians were 2 elderly ladies who must be very wealthy as they were staying at the only hotel to overlook Iguassu falls. The elderly Israeli man, Manager of a Kubutz, had just had a heart operation but inisted on running everywhere! The Mexicans were just the nicest couple and we hope we are that happy after 10 years of marriage. Paraguay - actually called Edgar, our fab tour guide for the tours. Finally, London 1 (we were London 2!}, Caroline and Patrick. Bizarrely they got married on the same day as us last year, are in their early 30's, have given everything up to come travelling too, are going the same way round the world (unusual} and Patrick's brother lives in Stroud! All a bit freaky. We are going to stay in touch and who knows, maybe we will meet up with them in Asia somewhere. We are beginning to realise that the world is actually a very small place!

All in all, a fantastic couple of days and the Falls we shall never forget. One more day in Foz before leaving on the bus back to Rio again Wednesday pm. Tomorrow we plan to take the local bus into Paraguay. More soon and until then, lots of love xxxx