An entry in the TFS Travel Journal
Had an awful night’s sleep as the air conditioner kept making rattling sounds like something stuck in your bicycle spokes; some imperfections even here in the Palace.
We rushed through the buffet of plenty (they had the salty lox today) and taxied over to the National airport. We managed to get “upgraded” to biz class (long story; we already had biz on the return) which was fortunate as we were able to wait in the executive lounge during the 1 1/2 hour delay that was due to today’s rain storms.
Finally took off for Brazil and had one of the bumpier flights in recent memory; thankfully it was only 90 minutes or so. We then got off the plane and into the sauna. Wow! This place is as hot and steamy as the Explora was windy! When we got to the hotel, we (foolishly) asked and were told that it was 42 celsius (105 f)! The humidity is at least that. This is, though, one of the greenest, lushiest places we’ve ever seen. Big pine trees that take 70 years to grow in Scandanavia grow here in just 20 due to the overabundance of sun and moisture. Our room is air conditioned, though not exactly chilly. The hotel is certainly picturesque — an old, large, pink and white colonial structure with lavish and fragrant gardens.
We went to the covered poolside dining area for lunch and had a good tuna sandwich and an amazingly bland steamed vegetable plate. Dessert was a perfect coconut popsicle. There are sight-seeing helicopters buzzing around frequently, which combine with the heat and lush jungle surroundings to give a bit of ‘Nam ambiance.
We then went back to the room for some much appreciated napping. Milton set off around 7:30 to walk the local viewing path, leaving Wendy catching up on last night’s sleep. What a walk and what viewing! As they so correctly say, this is one of the most amazing places on earth. There are at least 275 waterfalls, and over 300 in rainy season. There are waterfalls next to waterfalls leading to waterfalls and across from more waterfalls. Huge, wide falls and high, narrow ones. This path (we’re on the Brazilian side, tomorrow we’ll walk the Argentine side) affords viewing of many of the falls, then leads to a catwalk (wide with sturdy railings) which extends way out over the river so you’re head on with some of the biggest/widest falls and peering right over some more. Of course, along with the spectacular views, the roar of the falls is always present. Just the 1km walk, though, left me soaked, due to a combination of the spray and humidity.
After a quick (and blissfully cold) shower, we dined outdoors at the buffet, enjoying delicious lamb, fish, beef, and rice and finished off with fresh fruit and desserts.
Then it was back into the air conditioning for the night!