Foz do Iguaçu Favorites

Favorite thing: The Guarani or Tupi people call this part of the country Iguaçu, which literally is translated at Big Water. The first non-native to experience the falls was Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca, whose name translates to Cow's Head. I am certainly glad they chose to use the original name of Big Water over the name Cow's Head Falls.

As you look at the picture here, please leave a comment if you think the Guarani people have misnamed this place!

Favorite thing: Foz do Iguacu was a lot larger than I expected, the population soared from around 34,000 to almost 300,000 after the construction of Itaipu dam. There is a significant Muslim population which explains the REALLY bad soap operas on TV with the Arabic credits. It's a much bigger city than Puerto Iguazu where you would stay on the Argentine side so you'll find more hotel, dining and nightlife options on this side of the border.

Favorite thing: I believe there are several different types of Gavião, which is a type of a hawk. We were so lucky to see this one, as we were driving away from the falls. We stopped the car, and watched it walk through the grass. It was amazingly graceful, and seemed even prehistoric to me.

Favorite thing: When you look up into the trees, you might see a toucan! I saw two of them, and what we learned is that the toucan actually uses her beak to pull out her own eggs and eat them! Well, I suppose that's a handy way to get a quick snack, but it makes it rather difficult to propagate the species.

Favorite thing: Keep watching all around you - on the ground, in the air, in the trees - you never know what you'll see!

Fondest memory: The flora and fauna is so completely different than anything I see where I live. Well, if I go to a nursery or if I take a look at my houseplants, I can see the things that I saw in this forest. The animals I would have to go to a zoo to see - and wouldn't anyone rather see them in their own native habitat? It's thrilling!

Favorite thing: I don't much like touristic places and try to pass them by but this was different maybe it is not a touristic place really but a wonder of nature..

Fondest memory: While walking back took one last look at the gigantic falls between the bushes i could see and took this picture I wish to be standing there again now...

Favorite thing: During our roughly one hour in downtown Foz do Iguacu, we wandered in a very small part of the city close to where our tour bus was parked. It seemed to be a pleasant enough area, with very nicely treed streets. However, the traffic was definitely a factor to contend with when wanting to cross a street. It was easy to see that we were now in a city of 270,000 people instead of the 30,000 in sleepy Puerto Iguazu on the Argentine side!

There seemed to be no shortage of nice stores and shops to explore if you had time and knew what you were doing! Neither condition applied to us!

Favorite thing: When you are wandering the trails of Iguacu lookout for these cute little animals. I belive they were called Cuaties (not sure on the spelling). Unfortunately because of the number of tourists around they are not afraid of you and will go through your bag in search of food if you are not careful