BOTTOM LINE:
Morning jungle hike at Hotel Puerto Bemberg
Afternoon visit to Iguazu Falls
BACK STORY:
We woke up to the end of the big storm that we had experienced for two days. We learned that there had been 5 inches of rainfall over that period of time, so we could well imagine the run off and conditions of red dirt roads in the area.
Hotel Puerto Bemberg was a beautiful Spanish hacienda style resort. With a mission bell tower, center courtyard with water fountain, vine covered exterior walkways to rooms, oversized terra cotta pots adorning walkways and reflecting the surrounding red dirt color, an outside pool with covered shade area and a wooden walkway cantilevering out over the canopy of trees, we found ourselves in yet another very classy, but comfortable place to stay.
The dining area extended to the covered decking outside for al fresco dining pleasure. Inside the common area had an extensive library of books authored by many Argentina philosophers, liberators and historians. Comfortable over stuffed chairs and couches with task lighting were set in front of a large fireplace. Colorful local art hung from walls that had been textured and aged for the look of a mission.
After breakfast we hurried to meet our guide for a walk in the jungle bordering the property. We were gone for 2 1/2 hours and received a good tutorial of the areas flora and fauna. We saw a few birds, many plants and spiders. The hotel has a citrus orchard and a garden of pineapples and bananas raised to serve guests.
The owners of the property have huge plantations of trees whose leaves are dried and used for Maite the popular tea like drink of Argentina. They also produce beer along with many other business endeavors.
At the end of the walk we found out that because of the huge deforestation of this region of Argentina and the planting of pine for commercial use by current Asian land owners(The pulp by the pine is used among other things to make a poor quality paper),
there is no natural animal corridor left. The natural animal habitat of roaming the land without exposure or threat from one location to another has been wiped out. Animals traveling from one region to another are now found on private property and risk being killed or are found along busy roads unable to compete with a passing vehicle.
Not only are animals threatened but water run off from exposed soil, but it also has threatened aquatic life. The soil is being depleted of vital nutrients needed to sustain vigorous plant growth. Weather is also affected...all because of a buck!??
After lunch we were picked up by Claudia, a local woman who is supporting her family by driving people from the hotel to the Igauzu Falls once or twice a month. Her English was limited, but Bruce was once again able to bridge the gap. He is doing a wonderful job in my estimation and I'm happy to be his travel companion!
The falls were further than we thought. The cost of the round trip ride would be $80 US...which would bring home a good wage. Luckily while we were dropped off a couple of young guys asked if they might pay her for a ride to the airport. Her lucky day!
We paid for our entrance and agreed to meet back at the entry at 5:45. The park closed at 6pm.
With map in hand, we quickly walked to one of the three train stations and grabbed two of the last seats. Luckily we had pre-studied a map and decided to go to the furthest two treks and do the third trek the following day when a tour guide would be with us.
The day was very hot and humid. Thankfully I packed an umbrella for shade rather than wearing a hat that just seems to capture the heat from my head and drip down my face! The hike was on a well paved and then raised metal trail. We crossed over a wetland area and I could see all sizes and colors of butterflies dancing above muddy indentations. Suddenly I began noticing butterflies all around me.
I could hear the sounds of water movement and could see mist rising above the trees in the distance. I knew we were getting close to what we had come to see. I grabbed Bruce's hand because I wanted us to see the Iguazu Falls at the same time. The river along side of us seemed to be gaining speed when all of a sudden we saw a huge hole where the river seemed to be swallowed up.
We were above the falls at the river level and were able to see the water spill over the boulders. It was magnificent! Words cannot describe it. The sound was like thunder roaring. The volume was so great and the force so mighty that it literally took our breath away! I stood watching with tears of mist rolling down my cheeks. The mist got everyone wet, but it was a welcomed relief from the heat. People slowly meandered around the viewing platform in total awe at the sight of God's creation
We only had an hour left before we needed to meet our driver so we headed to the middle level viewing plat forms. It gave us a completely different view of the falls...equally magnificent.
Across the river from us was Brazil. We had been told that the view from that other side was better than the Argentina side. There was only one viewing platform in Brazil and with the difficulty in getting a tourist visa, we decided that Argentina was good enough for us. Check out, The Mission-How Great Thou Art, The Piano Guys...on You-Tube.
Claudia picked us up and transported us the 40km back to our hotel for the evening. A blessed day in nature!
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