John writes: For three weeks we had driven some 4,500 km up the eastern side of the Andes through spectacular desert scenery. Where the landscape was green it was from the life-giving irrigation waters of the Andes rather than rainfall. But we had been told by everyone that one of the great spectacles of Argentina was to be found in the north-east of the country – where the borders of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay come together in rain forest country.

The Lonely Planet guide describes the Iguaçu Falls thus: “One of the planet’s most awe-inspiring sights, the Iguaçu Falls are simply astounding. A visit is a jaw-dropping, visceral experience, and the power and the noise of the cascades live forever in the memory”.

Our plan had been to fly from Mendoza to Iguaçu via Buenos Aires. However the eruptions in Chile had left a cloud of volcanic ash hanging over Buenos Aires (BA), and after two days of waiting for flights to resume, we took the 13 hour coach trip to BA. (see previous blog). By the time we had arrived, the cloud had moved and we were able to take the 1 ½ hour flight north. The pilot – perhaps feeling exuberant after several days grounded - gave us a brilliant fly-by of the falls, where the river Iguaçu drops some 250ft over a basaltic cliff before meeting up with the river Parana. Before reaching the falls, the river divides into many channels causing a whole panorama of different falls spread over nearly 2km.

We crossed the border into Brazil for the first day. On both sides the observation platforms have been created to maximise the views and the experience – and it was impressive…but not a patch on what we were to see on the Argentinean side the following day. Let the pictures do the talking!  We also took a boat trip to the very base of one of the falls – a spectacular and much wetter experience than anything we had experienced at sea!  In short, if you are anywhere near that part of the world – do it. You can’t argue with that Lonely Planet description…