RTW: p67a – Santiago, Chile

Arriving in Santiago, Chile, I stayed with my Dad’s cousin Frances – who I recently met for the first time in Dublin!
We went for a drive one day to see Pablo Neruda’s house, He’s a famous writer/communist politician and has an odd house right on the beach. The design of the house itself is very ship-like. With wooden interior, low doors etc. And is basically filled with loads of stuff he hoarded throughout his life. Tons of stuff from tribal masks, to instruments, to various bits and pieces from ships. Its like a mini-museum but it is all from his personal collection.

RTW: p66 – Wonders of Brazil, Pantanal »« RTW: p65b – Wonders of Brazil, Foz Do Iguacu, Argentina Side

RTW: p65b – Wonders of Brazil, Foz Do Iguacu, Argentina Side

Next the Argentinian side. The morning was in full sun, we later got drenched heading down to jet boats – where we proceeded to get wet by going INTO the water falls!! (video coming) The water was actually warmer from the falls and the sun popped out as soon as we finished! Bloody awesome.

RTW: p67a – Santiago, Chile »« RTW: p65a – Wonders of Brazil, November 1st, Foz Do Iguacu

RTW: p65a – Wonders of Brazil, November 1st, Foz Do Iguacu

November 1st! SO EXCITING!
Spending my 24th Birthday in Brazil!

But no.. the full day AND night was spent on a bus! Heading to Foz Do Iguacu. Hence the previous night used to celebrate instead. Night buses in South America though are something of a luxury. They are basically the shell of a standard Coach, but decked with only 12-16 seats that are like Recliner Sofas! Very comfortable compared to your average night bus. You even get blankets and a cushion like on the plane. Actually its more comfortable than a plane apart from the constant winding of the roads which gets to you after a while. Doesnt

However the trip was worth it. Iguassu Falls is the worlds largest waterfalls, with a flow rate 3 TIMES that of Niagra falls! Totaling 275 falls, It also marks the boarder between Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.

We spent a full day exploring the Brazil side starting with a CHOPPER ride!

RTW: p65b – Wonders of Brazil, Foz Do Iguacu, Argentina Side »« RTW: p64a – Wonders of Brazil, G.A.P Tour

RTW: p64a – Wonders of Brazil, G.A.P Tour

I joined a tour group in Rio for 2weeks. With 3 other Aussies, 4 english, 1 Austrian and 2 Americans, we were lead by our Perivian Guide Francesco (aka Pancho). We all went out to dinner and drinks that night to kick start things.
Next day we joined a Favela Party in Rio, (seriously like City of God), we were surrounded by massive Brazilians who were all to willing to force kisses onto the girls of the group (And a couple of scary looking “Tall Girls” too). Apparently the guys are so pushy because Brazilian Girls are so tough to crack. The deep Brazilian beats were paused for an impromptu dance off on stage! Fireworks shot on cables towards us then showered onto the crowd. All fun until again fights began outside and we left about 4.30am before things get real bad.

Next day we headed to Paraty to a beautiful hotel with a swimming pool & sauna. A full day cruise followed on the BANZAY boat! And at night we had a bit of a party, played poker, and I even had a birthday cake!

RTW: p65a – Wonders of Brazil, November 1st, Foz Do Iguacu »« RTW: p63 – Stone of a Beach, Rio