Ok, finally, we got started with the really fun parts of our trip!

We woke up at 5:45 Puerto Iguazu time (6:45 Brazil Foz de Iguazu time, 3:45 Washington, D.C. time), and got ready as we were headed back to Brazil and wanted to get to both the falls and the Bird Park (Parc des Aves) before they got too crowded and the heat became too much for us.

We were up too early for breakfast at the hotel but figured we'd make up for it with a big lunch in Brazil (and we did, but more on that later!). We went to the front desk at 6:45am Argentine time (7:45 Brazil). The clerk called three cab drivers before he found one that didn't already have passengers, and the cab arrived in mere moments.

This cab was in rather poor condition and didn't have air conditioning, but hey, it ran and that was our main qualification. Even given how early it was it was already oppressively hot and humid. Again, immigration at both the Argentine and Brazil side went quite quickly with us waiting in the car while the cabbie went inside the buildings and took care of the formalities.

After crossing the border it was a 15 minute drive and we arrived at the Parc des Aves, perhaps five minutes after the 8:30am Brazil (7:30 Argentina, 5:30 Washington, D.C.) opening time. The cab ride was $120AR or $28US.

We paid our entry fee at the Parc $56R (Reals), $33US, and went inside. This park was absolutely outstanding. The park alternated between zoo like cages and plenty of walk through Avaries. I especially enjoyed the butterfly and hummingbird exhibits, it was amazing being able to stand within inches of brightly colored butterflies and hummingbirds. We also greatly enjoyed the parrot exhibit, where I attempted to converse with them but they weren't having it! There was also a walk-through area filled with brightly colored Toucans which were very curious and would come within inches of us as we walked around. Very cool and well worth the entry fee! Another advantage of arriving so early is we beat the tour buses, and maybe ran into another 10 people.

Our next stop was the Brazilian Falls. To get there from the Park you have a very, very long slog. Kidding! You just cross the road, really. SO, why did the humans cross the road? To get to the Falls. (I know, groaner.)

We paid our entry fee in US dollars as we got a better deal than if we paid in Reals, $41US, and headed inside to catch a bus further into the park. You see you can't drive in the Brazilian Park. Everyone must board buses after entering which make four stops within the park.

Again, being there early it was not crowded and we were able to make it on the first bus that stopped at the visitor center. We got off at stop 2, where we were prepared to take a boat.

To be continued...