Uruguay and Iguazu Falls

Uruguay and Iguazu Falls 15th to the 22nd April

After a day in Buenos Aires with Nathaly we made a ferry trip to Uruguay across the very wide River Plate to a town called Colonia where we stayed for one night and had a look around the small old town which has UNESCO status. There is a street in the town called the Sighs, apparently named after the sailors who visited the street houses of an evening and it is said from the street you could hear their sighs.  

From Colonia we went through to Monte Video to change buses to go to the Estancia/Ranch for three nights. We thoroughly enjoyed the stay as well as learning to saddle up Gaucho style and ride around the farm rounding up sheep and cattle.   

The horses were very calm and we felt reasonably confident as the day went on and I was pretty pleased to be able to mount myself though I needed help with the saddle – tightening it up.  The meals on the estancia were really nice – simple but tasty with plenty of meat.

We met a lovely Belgium couple Christof and Veronica also staying on the farm and our host Juan was a character – well travelled and knowledgeable - so great conversation. The farm seems very organic as Juan doesn't fertilise or spray weeds, nor does he sow extra grass.  All of the stock looked very healthy and he said they get a dose for worms once a year and thats it.  The added cost of fertiliser etc wouldn't make the farm viable and it seemed to be a very healthy environment. He had one gaucho working for him and a cook who came in when they had visitors booked in. Very relaxing and quiet in the country a vast contrast to the noise of the city. 

We travelled from the farm to the border of Brazil and Uruguay where we took an overnight bus to Iguazu town where we stayed two nights visiting the Iguazu Falls.  We viewed both the Argentinian side and the Brazilian side, both equally spectacular.  We also treated ourselves to the Heli flight over the falls and the following day the boat trip right up to parts of the falls itself.  The peak tourist was over so the park wasn't overly busy by tourist attraction standards. Another highlight here was surprisingly the bird park, as we had a free afternoon we decided to go there. Exceeded expectations as it was beautiful area with a conservation program for endangered and threatened birds. Jim’s favourite was the Hummingbird.

Street view of Colonia part of the old town.

Trip through Uruguay and then Argentina up to Iguazu 

Maree and Nathaly

Looking back over the River Plate to Buenos Aires. At its widest point at the mouth into the sea I think its 200 km. There was also a battle at sea involving the NZ navy and a German ship during WW2. Info here.

Below more street views of Colonia and the old town

Photos and videos below from our stay on the farm

Our host on the estancia Juan

Learning how to saddle up Gaucho style

Some of the old stone work that was around the farm

Christof and Veronica with Maree on the horses.

Working in the yards sorting out some fly strike. They have an exceptionally bad fly in South America. Juan did tell us the name but can't remember it. Not present in NZ.

Some of the equipment from way back.

The Ibis tree on the farm, there were a lot of these birds that roosted in a tree near the house over night, quite a racket - very noisy 

The Rhea were on the farm. Quite surprised how plentiful and how wide spread these birds are.

There were lots of birds on the farm I think this one is a Scimitar-billed wood-creeper.

This pretty little one a red crested cardinal.

Now lots of photos from the bird parks at Iguazu Falls.

Photos of the Iguazu Falls below.

The water was quite brown after some heavy rainfall a few days earlier further up river apparently.

You get really close with and extensive network of walkways on both side

Maree and Nathaly on the small train around the falls.

Some of the animals and birds we saw in the park around Iguazu Falls.

We went for a ride on one of these below the falls - you get very wet.

Saw quite a few of these big boys lurking in the river.
Its name from the sign moncholo o bagre cabezon - it's a catfish I think.

Photos and video below from the helicopter ride over the falls.

...Travel Learnings...

• Western Union
• $US
• orange fanta
• Uber
• triple check your tickets
• triple check the room you leave
• bread, salami and cheese
• it's not always what you think you have ordered - surprises are frequent
• Asado
• more expensive bus seats aren't always more comfortable
• try to ignore the rubbish everywhere
• local rental cars are much cheaper than the big companies
• preload the kindle