Dear all

Well, when we last left you we were patiently awaiting our Brazilian visa and merrily updating our blog. What we forgot to do was check the closing time at the embassy. So, we wandered back at 2:05 only to find it closed at 2:00 and doesn´t open again until mañana - 8:00am. So, we wandered around Puerto Iguazu and headed down to the port. I found it quite amazing that we could sit above the river having a cold beer with Brazil only a short swim away. We then walked a bit further around the point and came to ´Le Hitos Tres Frontiers´, which is essentially a y junction in the river, bordering Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil. You seriously could have swum to any of the three countries. Given how big this continent is and how long the bus rides are to get anywhere, I find it quite astonishing that I could be this close to two other countries. I guess maybe because that isn´t something we experience in Australia.

So, having explored the local area, we headed back to the campsite for a relaxing beer by the poolside - marred only be the most annoying children ever who insisted on bombing everyone in the pool to the encouragement of the parents on the sidelines!!

The next day (we think this was the 19th) we were up early, got the Brazilian visa´s and headed off for Parque Nacional Iguazu and the key drawcard, Iguazu Falls. I simply cannot muster the words to describe this place - amazing, overwhelming, awe inspiring, incredible - just throw in the thesaraus and you will get the general idea. We do have photo´s which I really will learn to upload! There are a number of walks and a train ride that enable you to see the falls from pretty much every angle and get close enough to feel the spray and power off the water.

On the 20th, as we had gone through the process of getting the visa we thought, why not head to Brazil and see if their side of the falls is any good so we took five buses and about three hours to get there and I have to say, it was worth the trip. You see the fall from a differently completely angle and get a much more panaramic view, as opposed to the close up view from the Argentinian side. I don´t think there is any real debate about whether one is better than the other - they are both just simply spectacular just different.

I forgot to say, we met our Swiss friend Pete at the campsite and we all went together to Foz do Iguacu (Brazil). This was his first use of bus rather than bike to travel and I wonder if he had moments of regret although the bust trip back only took 1.5 hours!

From Iguazu we got on another bus (20 hours - semi-cama - not as luxurious as the first bus, no hot food or alcohol) and headed to Cordoba on our way to San Juan. Yesterday we topped up the culture meter and checked out a few churches and cool local architecture. So today, we sit at the hostel updating the blog before going for a wander around the park and river front before our 23:30 bus to San Juan where we will remain for Christmas. As this region is renowned for its white and sparkling wine we should be okay here for a few days - and I suppose we should also find some time to check out the parque nacional with its ´surreal rock formations, dinosaur remains and glowing sunsets´.

Feliz Navidad y Año Nuevo

Hasta luego

Tim and Tracey