Wider than Niagara Falls, Iguazu Falls is consistently rated among the top 5 most beautiful waterfalls in the world.

I stayed in the cozy town a few kilometers from the falls, and met a kind doctor named Ash from Calgary on the bus ride from the airport to the hostel. We spent the next couple of days together, starting with the falls.

You can visit the falls from two countries: the Brazilian side and the Argentinian side.  The former is physically further from the falls, but offers panoramic views found in most postcards, while the latter is  up close and personal. Logistically, it was easier to stay in Argentina and most people recommended the Argentinian side.

A soft rain welcomed the afternoon, which discouraged many people from visiting, so we pretty much had the place to ourselves. No lines, no waiting.  Booyah.

There are four walking trails to view the falls from different angles, and Ash and I decided to visit the top two. The first path, which was definitely the best, had dramatic views of the falls. The second path was a longer walk, with near-equally breathtaking views. At this point, the rain tapered and the sun poked through the clouds, resulting in a perfect late afternoon.

In the evening, Ash and I met V at the hostel, a cool and laid-back guy from outside Los Angeles. The three of us feasted on steak and homemade pasta that night, looking up at the stars and listening to an acoustical guitarist singing in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Tough life 🙂

Iguazu is a small sleepy town, so the time spent here allowed me to slow down life’s pace. I’m still getting used to walking slower, eating slower and talking slower, but years of bad habits are hard to let go of.