Zipline through the Tree Line

2: 49 Friday, March 13, 2009
Bunk beds in our room in Hostel Sweet Hostel, Puerto Iguazú

We are currently in Puerto Iguazú, right near the famous Iguazú Falls! I didn’t think I was going to make it here since it wasn’t included as an ISA excursion, but the Multisas decided to come here on our own and I’m so excited! We survived the 16.5 hour Rio Uruguay bus ride, which was actually rather enjoyable. There were only five other people on the top floor of the double-decker bus so it felt like a big slumber party again. The plush and comfy “semi-cama” or “semi-bed” seats extended far back and included a reclining board for our feet, not to mention pillows and blanket! It was awesome sitting in the ejecutivo (executive) class; they just kept bringing us everything imaginable - candies, soda, meal tray (with spinach tarta, tostadas, roll, cheese, ham, and pastry), hot milanesa-like chicken parmesan with egg or potato topping, after-dinner pastry, even champagne for those who wanted it!

We passed the time watching music videos and a couple of movies, including one about a plane crash (maybe they were sending not-so-subtle messages that we should continue to ride buses). The window provided an amazing view of a beautiful sunset and, later, a full moon that was bright enough to light up the whole landscape. I could make out shapes of barns and the infrequent tree, though most of what we passed appeared to be flat grazing land. I then slept soundly, briefly waking up for breakfast at 6:30.

It was already very hot and humid when we arrived in the early afternoon to Puerto Iguazú, making me feel at home. We arrived at Hostel Sweet Hostel, which is very cool: the common areas are outside, including a pool, pool table, and kitchen. It’s very tropical with lime green walls and wooden beams everywhere. After throwing our stuff in the room all ten of us are sharing, we headed off for our jungle adventure! Accompanied by a guide, we hiked through the jungle, learning about Guaraní (local indigenous tribe) animal traps and medicinal herbs along the way (We even ate stinging nettle!). We then rock-climbed up to the jungle canopy and zip-lined through the tree tops that overlooked the river. After climbing up a swaying wooden tree ladder and zip lining back through the picturesque landscape, we rappelled down the rock face and hopped into a boat to take us down the river. Our little cruise took us to where two major rivers converge, with Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil all standing in their respective corners. It was awesome to be so close to the shorelines of all three countries at once, and I’m praying (though chances are slim) to visit Paraguay and Brazil while I’m here.

The rest of our night consisted of grocery shopping, a big homemade dinner (so lucky to have great cooks in our group!), swimming, ice cream, and getting ready for tomorrow all day at the falls!

Iguazú, here I come!
Coli