Iguazu Falls

Buenos Aires to the Rainforest

After leaving Buenos Aires we flew to the Misiones region of Argentina to Puerto Iguazu. We went specifically to see Iguazu Falls, which lies south of Buenos Aires in the rainforest.

As we landed we were greeted by a cover of green. Our taxi took us through tree arches and we passed multiple signs warning of the coati crossings and potential tigre (jaguar) crossings. The cabin where we stayed was small but charming and they had created a mini jungle paradise on their property filled with palm trees, exotic looking plants, and the bonus of a swimming pool for the kids. It was already early evening so we went swimming, ordered food, and settled in for the night.

As expected for a rainforest, we watched a lot of rain from the porch of our ecolodge.

The next day we began as usual in a new place, with a walk to the nearest grocery store. After finding a time to cross with the busy morning traffic we found the store. While there were lots of cookies and chips, the grocery store was not what we hoped for, especially since we found no produce. Luckily everyone sells eggs, cereal, and milk. We got the basics and made our way back. We stayed outside of the main city center so any trips to big stores would require a taxi ride. We decided to spend the day at the pool and relaxing in our little oasis to prepare for the main event the next day; Iguazu Falls.

The falls were truly amazing! There is a train in the national park that took us to two different locations. The first provides an overlook of the falls, called the Devil’s Throat and the second has two trails, a lower falls trail and upper falls trail. While the falls were amazing the kids were struggling. We got off at the Devil’s Throat and started making the half mile walk to the overlook. The walk itself is beautiful but crowded. Reginald got stung halfway to the overlook, Soso freaked out with all the people when we got to the overlook itself, Cas asked why we did not warn them about all the walking, and Katherine started to get frustrated. UNESCO world Heritage site or not, this was not what the kids had signed up for.

The Lower falls was a much quieter walk at the end of the day

We made our way back to the train and adjusted our plans. At the next train stop we bought the kids ice cream and split up. Katherine went to walk the upper falls trail while Reginald stayed with the kids. As we met up 45 minutes later the kids excitedly told Katherine about a coati stealing a drink from the snack store and then watching a monkey chase the coati for the prize. That for them was magical and most exciting thing they had seen so far. We switched so Reginald could see the upper falls and again the kids got to see a family of monkeys swing by and play.

When Reginald came back we had lunch and then made our way around the lower falls, with only somewhat grumpy kids. This was really a turning point in understanding that all of us were on the same adventure but on different journeys.

Some of us are drawn to the big, grand moments, while others find joy in the smaller ones we stumble upon.