More UNESCO Jesuit Ruins- Trinidad and Jesus, Paraguay - June 2011

Richard came down with a fever again last night and we thought we would have to go to the doctors again this morning, but luckily, after a good nights sleep, he seems much better (sore hands aside, which seems to be another part of the process of recovery). So, today we headed out of Encarnacion to the UNESCO Jesuit ruins at Trinidad and Jesus.

The main Plaza, Plaza de Armas, in Encarnacion. All decked out to celebrate 200 years of independence - the first country in South America to gain it, I believe.

On the manky bus to Trinidad, Richard ate his first food for ages, a chipa, which is dry bread with cheese inside.
I decided to wear it as a beard, as you can see.

This wasn't the bus we came on, but it was still in action.

 Trinidad

The friendly pooch who escorted us all the way round.

Richard is definitely on the road to recovery.

A ladylike attempt at a handstand!

 Jesus

Some spooky decapitated angel heads.

Richard only just makes it to a Jesuit Ruin, San Ignacio Mini, Argentina - May 2011

Richard felt well enough to move on from Puerto Iguacu, so we took the bus five hours down the road to San Ignacio Mini. We checked into the Adventure Youth Hostel, which was the much misguided 'Our pick' from the Lonely Planet. For an 'Our pick' we expected much more. The rooms were sub-standard for a hosteling international place, the toilet stank of the sewers and the pool was filthy. It all looked a little bit like a campsite from the eighties, which had not had any money invested. On the plus side, it did have friendly staff and an open log fire in the evening though.

Richard's home at the ruins. His fever has gone, now he has tummy troubles.

THE waterfalls, Argentine side, May 2011

We had to stay another night in the Paudimar Hostel in Brazil, as Richard came down with a fever and we had to go to the doctor. I won't tell you how much the cab fare, consultation fee and medicine came too - thank heavens for travel insurance is all I will say! The doctor didn't seem very good either. He asked a few general questions and then said: 'I don't know what it is really, I will give you some antibiotics'. Never mind the A1 poster next to his desk, which said; 'Got a fever? It could be malaria'. He didn't even ask where we had been! Anyway, apart from a slightly upset stomach and tiredness, Ricard seems to be on the road to recovery and he managed to visit the best side (in my opinion) of the falls.
The Brazilian side does have the grand overview, and a few short walkways, but the Argentine side is much more complex with a huge system of walkways and nature trails. You need at least one day there as opposed to a few hours to see the Brazilian side.

This is us with our nursing friend 'Jungle Jan'. She is from Washington State and we had a great time playing Yahtzee with her. She is also one of the few people that has heard of one of our other travelling games 'Pass the pigs'.
We say 'Hotdog' to Jan, who is about to go and do some volunteer work in Missouri to help with aftermath of the tornado.

The border with Argentina and Brazil, with Paraguay in the background.

This one hurt. I was egged on by our river and forgot how high the barriers we were jumping from were. Oh, the ankles and the bottom!

The edge of the park.



A coati (member of the raccoon family) in it's natural state, a rare sight here, most are scavengers now.

 

The big one, 'The Devil's Throat'.

It was all too much for a recovering Richard!

Foz do Iguacu, Brasil - May 2011

After a gruelling 24 hour bus journey, we arrived in Foz do Iguacu and had to take three buses to get to the HI Paudimar. The journey was worth it though. A sprawling complex in the countryside with a swimming pool, hammocks, bar and restaurant.  
On arrival, we complained that the bus was too cold to sleep and the reception man replied; 'Ah, yes, you must have travelled with Pluma, everyone complains about the temperature of their buses'. Spot on.

Just as an aside, before we get to Foz, these photos were taken in the play area at a service station on the way. It was more like a theme park. Slightly better than one at home.

 Foz do Iguacu

 I don't think these photos need any explanation.

The pool/bar/restaurant at the HI Paudimar.

Today we got the outrageous overview from the Brazilian side of the waterfalls and tomorrow we will head back into Argentina for the third time this trip and get a close up view of the falls. Both of us have been here before (Richard many, many times) but you can not fail to be impressed. They are so amazing, the power and noise is incredible, swifts are circling round and dipping in and out of the spray and you end up soaked. AMAZING.

As Phil Collins Would Say; 'Another Day in Paradise', Rio - May 2011

The modern metropolitan cathedral.

An art installation.
You can go inside in groups of three and have your brain waves tracked and 'synched' with the other people. 

Ipanema Beach and the iconic tiled floor of Rio.

Richard was a bit worried about the sun.

We met our friend Marcella, whom we had met in Montevideo, in Lapa.
Our first 'Carioca' friend.

The following morning we went for a walk in the Santa Teresa district before we caught our overnght bus to Foz do Iguacu. We only got as far as the tiled steps, installed by a Chilean artist -it was far too hot and humid. The installation is on-going, and you can send the artist a tile and he promises to put it in.

The Santa Teresa convent.