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  • “A waterfall cannot be silent, just as the wisdom! When they speak, the voice of power speaks!” ― Mehmet Murat ildan

Another birthday trip was successfully completed celebrating my mother’s 91st birthday.  We had such a great time last year in Argentina that we have decided to return this year.

Last year we were there for only 3 days, so mom and I mostly stayed at the hotel enjoying the grounds and the casino.  This time we stayed 6 days and had a chance to do some sightseeing.

Some of what we did:

  • Iguazu Falls – Impressive and majestic! It is such an honor to be so close to the beauty and force of the water.  We visited the Brazilian side as it was more accessible to my mother.  You have to take a bus from the main gate, but they gave us permission to go in with our driver, so it was very convenient.  I would visit again and perhaps rent a bike or hike a trail, or take some of the amazing tours and experiences they offer.
  • Parque das Aves – Bird Park – This bird sanctuary is dedicated to the conservation of species from the Atlantic Forest. So many beautiful and interesting birds.  I would visit again.
  • AquaFoz Aquarium – This is a new attraction in the area. It is trying to show the richness contained in the Rivers Paraná and Iguaçu.  I loved it.  I would visit again.
  • Madero Tango Show – I expected a little more, but I have high expectations when it comes to shows. We chose this show because it was adjacent to the hotel, I am sure Tango shows in Buenos Aires will be much better.  It also included dinner, but the food was bad.  I would not return, but my mother enjoyed it so that was the important thing.
  • The Three Borders landmark – we visited it on the Argentinian side – it has a couple of restaurants and some little stores. I visited again for the gorgeous view of  Brazil and Paraguay, and the rivers Paraná and Iguaçu.
  • City Center Iguazu Casino – it has slot machines in 3 different currencies: The Argentinian Peso, the Brazilian Real and American Dollar. Always fun, but didn’t have a chance to spend much time there.
  • Puerto Iguazu town – walked around the stores and restaurants downtown was a lot fun.  The stores sells mostly alfajores (delicious sandwich cookies), olives and wines.  Alfajores were our gifts of choice to family and friends.
  • Spa del Paraiso – this is the spa in the hotel. We had a great relaxing massage. Very talented masseuses. I would go again.
  • China Shopping Center in Paraguay – this one I was forced to go to. I hate shopping, I hate shopping centers. The lady that works for us helping my mother wanted to get an iPhone for her son.  The prices in Paraguay are less than half of the prices for luxury items in Brazil.  The highlight of the trip was taking the ferry from Argentina to Paraguay and back, a quick and beautiful 12 minute trip that avoided the crazy road traffic.

The extra time, and there was not much of it, was spent enjoying meals at the hotel and at couple of restaurants in the other areas.  We had lunch by the pool one day.  I had passion-fruit caipiroskas every chance I had.  Caipiroska is similar to caipirinha, but it uses vodka instead of cachaça, so it is less strong.

My mom uses a wheelchair most of the time, so it is always stressful when we go to different places.  But we had no issues in any of the places we visited.

I feel so blessed to still have my mom and to be able to take her places.  She has the heart and lust for life like a teenager.

Here some pictures and video of the gorgeous fall. I will be posting other pictures in follow up posts.