How did I get here? Let me retrace my travels from the past 36 hours or so.
From Montevideo I got a bus to the 3 Cruces bus terminal, and then from there I got a bus to a Uruguayan town called Colonia. It seemed very nice and clean and with lots of sights to see and shopping, but unfortunately I had a direct connection with a company called Buquebus. They run ferries back and forth between Buenos Aires and different cities in Uruguay. I ended up with a first class ticket, and it was a really interesting ride.
1st class was on the 2nd floor of the ship, and it was like a hybrid cruise/flight. Our seats were all facing forward and looked exactly like airline seats. 1st class passengers got a free glass of champagne and some garlic bread to snack on, so that was a nice perk. The trip across only lasted an hour.
Once I arrived in Buenos Aires, I just had to figure out how to get to the bus station and then to my hostel from there. I reconfirmed my bus ticket for the next day and am glad I did, as they had me departing from another city (not Buenos Aires) 2 hours earlier than what I booked.
I was actually a bit disappointed with my first impression of Buenos Aires. The metro was really run down and dirty, and the streets all seemed the same way. I was a bit nervous for my safety but my it to the hostel without a problem.
Since it was already dark I didn't want to risk going to an ATM, so I just got a shower and turned in early. The following day (Thursday) I walked around the San Telmo area for a few hours. I was actually feeling pretty tired and thought I was starting to get sick, so I hung out at the hostel until I had to go to the bus station for my bus to Iguazu Falls.
So the bus ride was 18 hours. I am glad to say I survived. They actually fed us pretty well, and at a stop I managed to get a burger. The driver never told us how much time we had, and he actually started to take off before I was on board again. Luckily I knocked on the glass and explained my burger would take a few more minutes, and he was willing to wait. I sat next to a woman from Buenos Aires, and we chatted from time to time. They put on a few movies, and I also had a puzzle book and my Ipod to pass the time.
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| The burger that almost got me stranded in a random town in Argentina |
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| The view along the way from a front seat on the 2nd floor |
At 9:30 Friday morning we arrived in Puerto Iguazu, and I dropped my bags at the hostel and got some breakfast. Around 11 I headed out the see the falls.
It is a huge park, and it is absolutely beautiful. They put a lot of work into keeping it clean and well-maintained. It must have been 90 or so plus humidity, but luckily I brought water, sunblock, and insect repellant with me. I took my time and walked along a nature path that had animals scurrying their way along the path, and I think they were racoons. Then I took a train that went to the Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat), and the size and beauty of it was undescribable.
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| Near the entrance of the park |
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| Entering the sendero verde, or green path |
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| Lots of these were crossing the path along the way. |
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| Entering the Throat of the Devil |
Due to the strong heat I decided to call it an early day and then get there around 8 tomorrow morning to avoid the crowds and the sun.
Tomorrow afternoon I have the 18 hour return bus ride to Buenos Aires, and then 3 days there before I cross to Montevideo to catch my flight back to Santiago. It's a lot of traveling and I'm enjoying it, but at the same time I will be looking forward to retuning home to Santiago.
And it´s crazy to think that one year ago today I arrived in Chile.
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