Moving all of your belongings into storage is one stressful task. But planning to move out of your apartment plus leaving on a six month trip on the same day is super stressful. I wouldn’t recommend attempting to pull this off. But of course, I love challenges so I did it. Just make sure you ask your movers about all the fees involved. I wasn’t expected to be charged for the movers moving my stuff out and then be charged a fee for the movers to move my stuff into storage. Likely I will be charged the same fees to move my belongings back into a new place. However, the cost of moving my belongings into a storage unit for six months is cheaper than one month of rent in Manhattan.
As I start out on my journey, my goal is to visit every continent in the Southern Hemisphere while I am on my leave. And, there is one continent that I have never visited to complete my goal to visit all seven continents: Antarctica. I did some research when I first thought about my leave and inquired with some tour companies. Most Antarctica trips book up a year in advance. However, one of the companies contacted me several weeks ago saying they had one spot left and they would give me a huge discount since it was so close to the departure. The cost was still a huge investment but when am I ever going to have this opportunity again. Plus I want to visit every continent. A day later I signed up…
DON’T FLY AEROLINAS ARGENTINAS
Prior to the Antarctica cruise departure (which begins with a charter flight from Buenos Aries down to the tip of South America), I planned to spend several days at Iguazu Falls, the largest waterfall system in the world. I visited Victoria Falls a couple years ago which is the largest curtain of water in the world so I was thrilled to now see Iguazu which is wider however split up into 275 discreet falls. I booked a cheap flight on Aerolinas Argentinas from Buenos Aries. Bad move. Apparently the airline has very frequent employee union strikes. Three days before my trip, the flight I booked was canceled. I ended up rebooking on LATAM Airlines and had to adjust my hotel room. LATAM is a much better airline and I could use my American Airlines status with OneWorld to have priority check-in and boarding. I also heard you can take a bus from Buenos Aires for about $100 but it takes 18 hours . The flight is around $350 and takes 2hrs. Quick calculation to maximize my time makes it an easy decision to book the flight!
THIS IS WHY MY MOM WORRIES
Unless you stay in the only hotel in the Iguazu Falls park, which is one of the most expensive hotels in the area, be sure to stay close to the center part of town defined as 3-4 blocks from the central bus terminal. I stayed in a cheaper hotel that was located in a local neighborhood (this is why my mom worries about me) where you could hear children playing on the stone street and dogs barking at night. It was about a 15-20 minute walk into the center of town but I saw hotel options at the same price points near the center of town. Plus you can easily access restaurants that are nearby.
THREE COUNTRIES AT THE SAME TIME
The highlight of the town of Puerto Iguazu, Argentina, is Hito Tres Fronteras which is a park that allows you to see Paraguay and Brazil while in Argentina, where the Parana River and Iguazu River meet. And the walk in the park along the river at sunset is quite nice and relaxing. I chose not to obtain my Brazilian visa but if you want to visit Brazil you can easily cross over and visit the town of Foz do Iguaçu
TAKE THE PUBLIC BUS TO THE FALLS
I took the public bus for 75 AR pesos (which is about $4 USD) to the park. I tried to get to the park when it opened at 8am but I waited at the bus station for a while. The public bus company is Rio Uruguay and leaves from the central bus terminal ever 20 minutes beginning at 6:20am. Just ask the bus driver if the bus takes you to the falls. They will know when they stop. It should say “Cataratas” on the bus.
MAXIMIZING MY TIME
The park is huge and very beautiful. Since I was only at the park for one day, I had to create a plan to see everything I wanted to see. This is what I did:
- Devil’s Throat: This put Niagra Falls to shame. Devil’s throat is the largest water curtain in the entire system shaped like a horseshoe. Get there first thing before the tourist groups arrive since the deck isn’t that large and one tourist group takes up most of the deck. And to get there, don’t take the first train from Central Station. I made this mistake thinking I could take it the entire way to Devil’s Throat but they make you get off and get a ticket to head on the next train there. Instead walk to the Cataratas Station and get a ticket to take to Devil’s Throat Station. The train station was complete chaos. Tour groups everywhere and the area isn’t large enough to hold everyone. I thought going on a weekday would have been better but I found out it is cheaper to go during the week and it is easier for tour groups to go on an off day. It wasn’t very relaxing to navigate around the tour groups. The walkway to Devil’s Throat across the river isn’t that wide and the tour groups went at a slower pace since there were so many people. The groups aren’t thinking about others when they are in a giant pack. I tried passing but it was nearly impossibly without having to say something to every single person. I had to put on my patience cap and take in the beauty.
Train at Iguazu Falls - Lower Circuit: Some amazing views of the falls from down below. Get out of the way tour groups.
- San Martin Island: The Island was closed the day I went. Be sure to check the information postings at the train stops if it is open or not.
- Nautical Adventure: This boat excursion is an extra fee but was quite incredible and you get completely soaked (they give you a waterproof sack to protect your belongings). And best to use your GoPro like I did. The boat takes you right up into the falls. Exhilarating.
- Upper Circuit: I was beginning to get tired at this point in the day and I had already captured some amazing photos but figured I am only here for one day so why not. It turned out to be one of my favorite walks. The views were breathtaking. Seeing the enormity of the falls from up above is incredible. Definitely worth the walk.
- Public bus back to the hotel: The public bus picks you up for the same price at the same place it drops you off. Just be sure to get a ticket at the office before boarding the bus – I didn’t know this and almost didn’t make the bus (I would have taken a cab if that happened). I would suggest getting your return in the morning if the office is open at the park when you arrive.
WHY IS THE WATER BROWN?
The weather was absolutely stunning. It was 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) and barely any clouds. The next day it poured rain which would not be the most pleasant experience. And I only visited the Argentina side. But from what I saw, I am not sure there is a need to see the falls from the Brazil side if that is the only thing you wanted to do in Brazil and didn’t have a visa. Many people have asked why the water is brown. The heavy rains in the area churn up the soil from the surrounding areas that turns the water brown. I have also heard that deforestation of the areas surrounding the river have contributed to more sediment in the water turning it brown.
FREEING, STUNNING, BREATHTAKING
The visit to the falls was a freeing experience. As I walked along the walkways and saw stunning vistas from every angle, I breathed in and paused. Tears formed in my eyes at times just seeing the beauty in front of me. The stunning views and the power from the water falling over the cliffs reminded me at how beautiful the world is. Water was falling from every angle I looked. I would see couples holding hands and taking a moment to kiss each other. It was sweet. And truly romantic to be with your partner taking in the moment together. For now, it was incredible to see this beauty on my own, but know someday I can share a similar experience with someone and will appreciate it so much more!
