Across the Pacific

My final few days in Tassie gave me the chance to visit the old penal colony of Port Arthur and Bruny Island - yet more pristine beaches. Also some more good food and wine, though I reckon Launceston was better than Hobart for food.

Arrived in Buenos Aires at 10am Monday morning (having left Sydney at 11am Monday). Airport was slow with immigration, money changing and waiting for taxi but everything worked fine. A quick look round BA that afternoon and the following day included a visit to some subterranean discoveries made under an old house in the city. This was very interesting and very different from the usual type of museum.

Then my 17hour bus journey to Iguazu to view the waterfalls. The bus (first class - there are 3 types of bus) provided a seat which converted to a fully flat bed and food (basic airline standard but OK) and wine also provided. Worth doing for the experience but would not want to do it too often. When I went to pick up my ticket I initially went to the wrong counter (1 of over 200 counters at the long distance bus station - which has about 80 platforms). This was the international counter and I saw they offer services to place as far afield as Lima!





Arriving just after midday in the pouring rain I did not bother with the falls that day but the next day took a tour to the Brazilian side. That started with a visit to the world's second biggest hydro-electric scheme (recently knocked off number one by China's Three Gorges). This straddles the border between Brazil and Paraguay and the plant is accessed from Paraguay - which is noticeably third world as you drive across the border from Brazil. It supplies 25% of Brazil's power and 80% or more of Paraguay's.


Then to the falls - very spectacular and the previous few days rain had added to their power. Also quite a bit of wildlife including racoons and an anteater to be seen on the path.





The next day I did the Argentinian side before returning to BA. By now the weather was sunnier though with a lot of spray and mist in the air this was not always apparent. Saw turtles, caymen, iguanas and lots of birds as well as more butterflies than I've ever seen. Many different varieties and hundreds at a time in places.




I fly south to El Calfate tomorrow and it sound as if it's going to be cold - max about 10 and min around zero for the next few days, but it is 2000km south of here so guess it's a bit like flying from Scotland to the north of Norway.