A breathtaking view of the Brazil/Argentina border (From Bournemouth Echo)

A breathtaking view of the Brazil/Argentina border

9:10am Monday 15th March 2010 in

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From Rio we headed a few hours down coast to the small fishing town of Angras Dos Ries with our tour group. The village is still rebuilding after mudslides in January. From here we caught a passenger ferry that took us two hours to Ilha Grande. It is Brazil´s third largest island and has an abundance of beaches and no cars. After the crazy driving of Rio, it is a relief to be in such a place.

Our hotel was like something from a fairy story. Bright colours, cute rooms and humming birds in the garden give a fair impression of our accommodation for the next two nights. The problem was it absolutely chucked down for the duration. This was the day after the earthquakes and tsunamis on the other side of the continent, so we did not feel in a position to complain.

After our return journey to the mainland we travelled a few good hours further towards the colonial town of Paraty. It is famed for cobbled streets but the stones are more reminiscent of randomly sized and shaped ankle breakers that could have caused serious problems for a clumsy chap such as myself.

After some twenty four hours on a bus, we pulled into the town of Foz Do Iguacu and wasted no time in visiting the water falls. The falls create the border between Brazil and Argentina and we visited the Brazilian side first. I was not quite prepared for what I saw as my breath is taken away at the first sighting. There are over 250 waterfalls that combine to create the highlight of my trip so far. The Brazilian side gives an overview of the area. We are able to walk along a platform that leads directly above one of the falls whilst getting soaked from a fall landing behind.

The following day, we crossed the border to Argentina. A large park gives us the opportunity to take a much closer look at the many falls. The starting point is a 2km walkway that takes us to the ´Devils Throat´ - the biggest and most powerful at the site.

We have an incredible view down the falls. Later in the afternoon, we take a boat ride up the canyon and get a soaking as our boat takes us under a couple of falls. Great fun and a way Tor and I never believed we would experience a waterfall.

We prepare for our next long, night journey. Into the wilderness of the wetlands of The Pantanal. Meanwhile, we hear that the Inca Trail will be reopening in April. Perfect timing for us, though we keep our fingers crossed.