There is a “friendly “ rivalry between Argentina and Brazil as to which country has the most scenic area of the falls.  Statistically,  Argentina has 80% of the falls while Brazil has 20%.  I’ve shown you the Argentinian side with its Devil’s Throat premiere attraction. This post will review the Brazilian side – you can decide which is more beautiful.

While the access to the Argentina Iguassu Falls view is an open walkway leading right across the waters right up to Devil’s Mouth,  Brazil offers a rainforest adjacent walk along the edge of the falls area.  Breaks in the foliage provided a natural frame to the cataracts.

Initially I was not enamored with this walk.  Being partially within the rainforest did provide a lovely view – and I was able to get close and personal to a family of coati- the Brazilian version of a raccoon:

The glimpses of the falls  were also outstanding – it seemed as though many rainbows had decided to hold a convention, although sometime a bit obscured by the mist:

Here is the problem – most of the best viewing areas required climbing down grated metal stairs onto a metal platform – some quite steep,  Over the almost two mile stretch there were  dozens of these viewing areas with steps ranging in depth.  Frankly,  after almost two weeks of hiking my bone on bone knees were quite sore despite daily icing – and these steps became my waterloo, particularly on the downward paths.

However all was not lost – at the point where the platform veered off over the waters – my guide led me to a blessed elevator which took me down  to levels below the fall edges, all the way down to the waters. The view was breathtaking and I could actually feel the power of the rushing water and feel the immenseness of the cataracts:

I opted not to walk further to a walkway that led across the water to another area that, being very near the rushing falls would result in being totally drenched (slickers were offered, but frankly were useless).  Instead I took a zoom photo of those intrepid visitors who decided to walk the plank – this was about halfway to the part obscured by the mists from the crashing falls.

My mind was made up – Brazil was my winner!  Here are a few more pics and videos:

It was time to say goodbye to Brazil,  but I just couldn’t resist one last  long range shot of a toucan:

My glee at finally getting a photo of this colorful bird was soon replaced by shock.  The camera  battery was ready to die so I decided to quickly change it to perhaps get another shot. I am quite used to changing batteries “on the fly” –  but the powers that be thought otherwise and the camera slipped out of my hands onto the concrete.  In falling, the camera managed to twist in just the position that the latch for the battery (and memory card) hit the corner of the step and it bent it such a way that it could not be opened.   Despite one of my fellow travelers managing to pry it open so I could retrieve the memory card, the chassis of the camera was now irrevocably compromised and could not be used again.

This could have been a really bad WTDGAP moment.  Fortunately for me  I had opted to take one of my older cameras on this adventure, anticipating that the Amazon might be somewhat too treacherous for my newer model.   While I had to say goodbye to a well loved camera, its successors will continue to help me find photos that I hope you will enjoy.

Not quite ready to leave Brazil yet, I am going to share my thoughts of Vitor’s magnificent book on the Parque Nacional da Tijuca, including some of  his  gorgeous photos.  Stay tuned!!!

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