Iguaçu: Waterfalls and a Bird Park

It was a good flight from Rio to Iguaçu, which is a modern city, only about 150 years old, set up in this border region where Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay all meet. 

It appears Brazil set up the town on their side of the confluence of two big rivers (Iguaçu means confluence) so Argentina or Paraguay wouldn’t get any ideas of crossing the Parana or Iguaçu rivers. In the 1970s, there was a huge hydro power scheme developed near Iguaçu, which was the biggest in the world until China built the Three Gorges Dam a few years back. The power plant still sustains the town but tourism helps now, particularly since Iguaçu Falls were placed on the revised Natural Wonders of the World list, which in turn, followed the movie ‘The Mission’ in 1984, filmed here at Iguaçu.

The first afternoon, we travelled to a bird park, where birds plus some small animals and butterflies are rehabilitated after being rescued from poachers. 

The park was established by a couple called Croukamp in the mid 1990s. The unique feature is that the birds are in large aviaries so visitors or tourists walk into most of the aviaries through ‘double’ gates so the birds have a degree of freedom. 

Flamingos are born with grey feathers which take on a pink colour when their diet includes shrimp. This large flock of flamingos were being checked by two park rangers.

On a closer look, it was one park ranger and several mirrors. Apparently flamingos will breed only when they feel safe and secure with big numbers around them, so put in some large mirrors and your small flock can go ahead and breed! Problem solved.

The red ibises looked interesting! Not sure if they’re related to our ‘bin-chickens’ but probably they are.

Some of the toucans appeared friendly but they are carnivores and eat small insects and animals, so that beak can be a weapon.

However this tame one was quite relaxed with Mary in close proximity.

The park boasts the largest macaw aviary in the world. 

 

  There was a range of other birds including cassowaries and owls native to Brazil. 

There were a few other animals in the park. These small Caiman crocodiles are supposedly not aggressive. Didn’t go in to find out. Turtles were basking in the sun also.

There were a few other enclosures of boa constrictors and other snakes but nah!! Not for me.

An afternoon stroll to a shopping mall was interesting but uninspiring so an early night beckoned.

Next morning, had a ‘to-be-expected’ stop at a large shop selling heaps of tourist souvenirs and similar. Their range of amethyst geodes was exceptional. Brazil is a major source of amethyst geodes, where hot quartz solutions have invaded gaseous cavities in the large basaltic extrusions. The quartz is suitably and fortuitously contaminated by some manganese to give us the distinctive amethyst colour. Hmm! Don't think it will fit in the luggage.

The walk to the Iguassu Falls (or Iguacu, Iguazu) on the Brazil side started with a fairly small waterfall.

As we tracked upriver, the bigger falls become apparent...

The walkway out in front of the Falls looked like a worthwhile target. 

Indeed it was. Crowded with visitors but worth the effort, despite the congestion and a little pushing and shoving.

 The exit takes tourists out near the top of the Falls.

The afternoon option was an adventure boat ride from downriver. Access was via small, open train carriages pulled by a golf buggy.

The track had been cut through the rainforest just wide enough for access. Passing oncoming vehicles required a brief stop in wider areas.

Then, after another steeper stage of the track sitting in the back of a 4-wheel drive vehicle, it was into a funicular for the last drop to the pontoons where the boats were.

The boats were powered by twin 270 H outboards on rubber duckies.

 Life jackets on!

It was a high speed trip upriver as we headed for the lower reaches of the Falls.

 Turbulence ahead...

... and everywhere!

We approached some minor falls, but fortunately stayed back enough to keep dry. We opted for the ‘dry’ trip - others opted for the wet tour right in under the Falls.

The boat drivers are highly skilled. Young, male ‘hoons’ who are being paid to do what they would love to do anyway. They must love their jobs!

The trip back downstream did not take long.