Ranjit Shergill
No words can ever encapsulate the magnificent, dramatic landscape of this natural wonder that is the heartbeat of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. The Iguazu is nature’s gift that is breath-taking as it evolves and envelopes you. It is captivating and your senses literally drown, as you witness the roaring impounding of the Devil’s Throat falls.
As you walk the giddy heights of the walkways the spray of the waterfall skim past your face, and your heart skips a beat when you see the tourist boat navigating the furious whirlpools under the Three Musketeer Falls. Only the attached photos can do true justice to the wonder of Iguzau. So feast your eyes on these visual wonders that we must treasure for an eternity!
Iguazu Falls from Argentina Side
The dramatic centrepiece of Iguazu Falls is the Devil’s Throat (Garganta do Diabo), the tallest and mightiest of Iguazu’s 275 waterfalls. Made up of 14 cascades, thundering from heights from over 260 feet (80 metres), this is truly an epic wonder. There are 275 individual waterfalls of varying dimensions and character, spreading for almost two miles in magnificent rainforest settings.
The cascade of the various falls dance between the delicate and the thunderous.
Everything around the falls is unspoiled: the exotic and breath-taking views, the thousands of birds and butterfly species and the beautiful nature trails. There are even boat rides to the legendary Three Musketeers falls and Devils Throat for those who seek near death experiences.
PARQUE DAS AVES
Why is it called Devils Throat? Well, this is the stuff urban mythology and legends are made of! One of the legends is that a Deity (God) planned to marry a beautiful woman called Naipi, who wanted to marry another man. She fled with her lover in a canoe and the Deity in a rage sliced the river, creating the waterfalls and plunging the lovers into an eternal fall.
When one leans right over the safety railings next to the Devil’s Throat you experience an intensity of danger, thrill and a sigh of utter relief you cannot plunge into the falls. The rainbows that engulf the landscape of the Iguazu is phenomenal and you feel at one with nature that truly has the power to overwhelm your senses.
Iguazu Falls from Brazil Side
Words are not enough to do justice to this imposing natural wonder. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the seven wonders of the World. The beauty is unparalleled and it is said that when a former First lady of the USA, Eleanor Roosevelt, saw the Iguazu she is believed to have said “ Poor Niagara!”
The walkways at Iguazu are a feat of engineering that is simply incredible. It allows the visitors to witness up close the furious roar of the falls and marvel at the foaming rivers below.
It is heartening to read about the Triangle city cooperation plan by Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay to develop long and short term plans to protect the Iguazu from the impending detrimental climate changes. I would classify Iguazu as paradise on Earth. Let’s pledge to protect this incredible natural wonder for future generations.
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