Iguazu 2014

 

This is the story of my sister Joan, her husband and one of my best friends Bob and their son Slater.  Below is not my video but it is the best I could find as my video was terrible.  Thank you to who ever produced this video and it tells the real story. 

They did a multiple week trip from Argentina’s famous polo grounds south of Buenos Aries to the city itself, onward to Brazil and stayed at Iguassu Falls ending in Mendoza. Here is their story.

 

Iguassu Falls

The Iguassu National Park, home to the Iguassu Waterfalls is formed of 185 000 hectares of forest reserve. 

 

Found in the Western extremities of Paraná, in the Iguassu River Basin, this is the last extensive area of Atlantic Rainforest in the South of Brazil.

The National Park was created with the principal goal of maintaining the area for future generations. A significant step for the area came in 1986 when UNESCO listed the Iguaçu National Park as a ‘Natural Heritage of Humanity’ area.

The most important Park in the Prata Basin, and home to hundreds of species of fauna and flora this is an area of preservation where only 0.3% of the total expanse of the parkland is open to visitors.

The National Park also spreads into the Misiones Region of Argentina, with the Iguaçu River a natural border between the two countries

We stayed in the famous Hotel das Cataratas at Iguassu Falls.  It is an Orient Express Hotel and one of the finest hotels we have every stayed in.  Unfortunately my wife deleted many of the photos by accident on the camera so I used a few to make the story for the web page but this is an amazing place.

Again, I deleted all my photos so I used this video to show you the awesome hotel.  Thank you to whom ever for making the video.

Iguassu Falls, Brazil

The only hotel located within the Iguassu National Park, Hotel das Cataratas enjoys an unrivalled location just a short stroll from the sensational waterfalls. Guests enjoy exclusive access to this magnificent sight in the evening and at dawn, when the park is closed to other visitors.

A Portuguese-colonial residence, this classic Orient-Express hotel is redolent with the atmosphere of lazy days lounging on a veranda or beneath sub-tropical palms. This natural paradise also offers thrills and excitement in abundance: white water rafting, helicopter trips over the gorge and jungle treks to view amazing wildlife including colourful toucans and giant butterflies. Relax in our rainforest hideaway, exploring the jungle’s natural wonders and the Falls’ breathtaking vistas by day, being lulled to sleep by Iguassu’s distant roar at night

Activities

One day we started with a fascinating ride through the luxuriant forest of the Iguassu National Park to the crystal-clear river. We boarded a speedboat for an exhilarating voyage through the rapids to The Three Musketeers or the Three Marias Falls.

We got soaked as the captain took us close to the falls as possible. We also did  a lush 3km walk along the banks of the Iguassu River ending with a boat or kayak trip on the river, and a final chance to view the majestic Falls.

RESTURANTES

A great place to start your evening, meet your travelling companions for drinks before dinner and watch the sunset from the bar veranda

with a cooling caipirinha in hand. Later in the evening, sit back and relax to sound of live musical entertainment, played every evening between  7 to 11PM.  We started out with drinks at the Bar Tarobe.

Wow amazing sipping drinks on the veranda and then moving inside for the final drink before dinner.  After dinner we came back for the live music.

Hotel das Cataratas has two restaurants, the Ipê Grill alongside the pool and the Restaurante Itaipu which boasts an outside veranda.  International cuisine and local dishes are served in both restaurants. Local dishes and specialities are extensive and have been shaped by the eclectic population of the Iguassu region and its variety of culinary influences. Such as the Feijoada, typical Brazilian dish made with black beans and different types of pork meat, served with a varieties of salads, garnish and a selection of Brazilian desserts. I can tell you we feasted like kings and had the finest beef possible.

SPA

Come restore body and soul in the heart of Iguassu. Each of the treatments celebrates the grandeur of the Amazon, featuring an array of responsibly-harvested, sustainable ingredients direct from the lush rain forests of Brazil. A cocktail of tropical fruits, moisturizing butters and organic plant extracts are summoned for an inspired collection of services that comfort the body and soothe the soul.

Our Spa has five treatment rooms each one dedicated to providing the perfect space for relaxation: three treatment rooms including one with separate shower for exfoliation treatments, one perfect for couples treatments and a dedicated manicures and pedicures treatment room

Dude, relaxing by the pool sipping drinks how great is that.