Cataratas do Iguaçu 

My most recent journey was a trip to As Cataratas do Iguaçu (known as Iguassu Falls in English, and Cataratas del Iguazú in Spanish).  

Cataratas do Iguaçu is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World and is the second largest body of waterfalls in the world, next to Victoria Falls in South Africa. 

The waterfalls are shared by Brasil and Argentina, so in order to see all of the Falls tourists can travel between Brasil and Argentina without a Visa to experience both sides.  I figured this was a great opportunity to get a new stamp in my passport :)

My friends and I spent the whole day in Argentina, first looking at the waterfalls, then taking a trail hike inside the National Park and finally grabbing a bite to eat in the city center.

Garganta del Diablo (Argentina)

The border dividing Brasil and Argentina runs directly down the center of Devil's Throat, one of the most famous waterfalls of the Cataratas do Iguaçu. 

Devil's Throat is comprised of multiple waterfalls in a circular formation.  

To view Devil's Throat in Argentina there is a bridge that takes you to stand right above the waterfalls.  

I didn't even have to zoom in to take this picture.

Lado de Argentina

One bridge in Argentina takes you right out to stand in front of a huge waterfall.  

Everybody takes turns running out to the far end of the bridge because you get absolutely drenched when you get out there. 

Completely worth it.

While the Argentina side of the Falls offers a more interactive and close up view of some of the large waterfalls, the Brasil side of the Falls offers a more panoramic view to experience the immensity of these waterfalls. 

Lado do Brasileiro

Another bridge to walk closer to the waterfalls, but once again... we were soaked.

Garganta do Diablo (Brasileiro)

Located on the Brasil-Paraguay border is Itaipú Dam, the largest hydroelectric energy plant in the world. 

This Dam is one of the New 7 Manmade Wonders of the Modern World (yeah, I know that's pretty specific but I still think it's cool).

This Dam is 5 miles long and provides 90% of the energy in all of Paraguay with only 8% of the energy it produces.  The other 92% of the energy it produces is used in Brasil.  This Dam is equivalent to 5 Hoover Dams and has enough infrastructure to build 380 Eiffle Towers. 

Itaipú Dam (Paraguay/Brasil)

When we visited on the last morning of our trip the spillways that allow excess water to flow into the Paraná River were open for the first time in 4 months, a very rare occasion to witness in June.

This trip was amazing.  I was able to visit two new countries in three days and brush up on my Spanish, which is improving along with the Portuguese.  

The waterfalls were absolutely beautiful and the national parks provided a great way to experience the Falls as well as the nature around them.

Two of the friends I traveled there with have seen Niagra and Victoria Falls and both said that Cataratas do Iguaçu were more impressive.

This may be my last big trip here in Brasil, but it was definitely one of the best.