The Falls are the pure genius of nature and the people who designed and operate the tourist experience. I had to sample it all.. First a helicopter ride over the falls. The copter takes off and in the distance in all the lush greenery is a cloud of what looks like smoke. As you get closer you see that there is a giant hole in the world where all the streams are converging to fall in massive water falls. The helicopter is a clear bubble so you miss nothing. Then the walking part which is miles of walkways to create a photographers dream - then a train trip to take you from one part of the falls to the other and then the ride of all rides - a boat trip that takes you into the falls itself. Did I mention that you get drenched? The boat ride decision was last minute for me so I wasnt prepared. You need a bathing suit under your clothes and I would suggest ear plugs. When you go into the falls the water is coming at you from all directions and I am still getting my hearing back - 2 days later. Another tip - remember to breathe. The pounding and cold water had me holding my breath and forgetting this basic rule of breathing. .....Walking back up the walkway after the ride, people were looking horrified at the completely soaked me - "are you okey? Would you do it again?" In a second! Its better than Disneyland - the ultimate E ticket.......
Including the falls, Ive taken almost 800 pictures, but attempts to send pictures to my blog have failed. I have to thank the incredible guys Thiago and Ispael from the Hotel Full Jazz in Curitiba, Brazil for going beyond the call of duty to help me try to transfer pictures. They were kindness and patience personified, especially with someone so computer challenged.... Their Hotel Slaviero Full Jazz is now among my top two in the world. It really is jazz themed. The decor is all cool browns, blacks and greys with full walls devoted to sepia toned photos of the jazz greats. Every room has high res flat screened TVs to play one of the hundreds of videos of the classic jazz concerts of the world. As much as I love music, it was hard to leave the hotel. I could easily live there. Obrigata (thanks) to everyone there.....
Its now 9 am in Sao Paulo Brazil and I hear that for the city, Carnivale (Mardi Gras) has begun early - so its off to find the festivites. A 3 am wake-up call for tomorrow and then its off to Santiago Chile and a farewell to the truly beautiful Brazil. Until then
Happy Trails
