Saturday, September 17, 2011

Iguazu memories


So I have been playing around with this blog and updating it with a few pages at the top about travels and food (two of my favourite things)... and I was looking back through all the posts we have written this year and couldn't find a single thing about Iguazu! I was such a lazy blogger in the middle of this year!
Well I am going to fix that by putting up photos and just saying how absolutely incredible Iguazu was!!

Iguazu is a small town in the province of Misiones, up the very top right corner of Argentina, shouldering Paraguay and Brazil. The big big tourist drawcard for travellers all around the world are the AMAZING waterfalls in Iguazu National Park.
We went here in May with my mum and dad for the weekend. it was THE BEST!! one of the coolest places I have ever been to!!! chris and I want to go back definitely!
It was cheaper for us to fly there and have access into the National Park because we have Argentine DNI's (Documents of National Identity)- because we live here. Mum and dad had to pay double on everything- flights, entry to the park etc... so it was great for us, but if you don't have one of these coveted DNI's, then be prepared to pay big on the flights!
But totally worth every penny!! an SPECTACULAR natural wonder of the world! breath taking!
I just thought I would put some photos up, they don't do it justice, but gives a really clear picture of what we experience. The sounds and smells and jungle board walks and grandeur of nature was fantastic!
Dad and me walking out to 'Gargantas de Diablo'- The Devil's Throat

Behind us, the mighty big plug hole of The Devil's Throat

Kapow!
Jurassic park 
Beautiful Beautiful- and the waterfalls are good too! hehe

We flew early Saturday morning and managed to have the afternoon at the waterfalls. It was a beautiful afternoon with the sun streaming through. We went to the 'Garganta de Diablo' which means 'The Devil's Throat'. It was spectacular, unlike anything I have ever seen or heard. HUGE amounts of water just gushing down into this watery hole, you couldn't see the bottom. There we lots and lots of butterflies (mariposas) flying around and it was just magical!
Next day was a full day in the national park! We walked everywhere, down the bottom jungle boardwalk track, did the boat ride that took you right underneath a huge waterfall and got drenched from head to toe- loved it!!!! such a thrill! and then walked up the top track and the top views were amazing, we over looked to Brazil- the waterfalls are the boarder between Argentina and Brazil!



So our trip was totally worthwhile! I know a lot of people travelling don't want to do the whole 'touristy' thing or go to places where everyone goes to. But this is just such a natural wonder must see if you go to Argentina!! Epic and magical!
Chris and I went back on Sunday for a couple of hours, leaving mum and dad at the hotel to relax before flying back to Buenos Aires. We did this 6km walk through the jungle to this solo waterfall that had a natural little pool at the bottom. If it had been a hot day it would have been a magic little swimming hole. But we had mate and sandwiches and had a great little picnic.
Half walked, half ran the track back because we had to fly back to BA.
Overall- DO IT!! it was the best!
And it was so special and wonderful to share it with my mum and dad!
Our picnic spot
Sunset to end our day at Iguazu Waterfalls

 I know this was 4 months ago, but it was so awesome that it was totally worth blogging about!! I know I have said it a lot, but we are sooooo buzzed with the opportunity to travel! I have been so wrapped up in work and trying to get this Music Department off the ground and I have forgotten what we have access too.
Anyways, we are all over it now and have already booked and paid for flights to Cusco, Peru in April 2012!! So stoked and ready to see Machu Picchu! Going to one epic adventure that is! We are planning to do the 4 day trek to the ruins! woohoooo
Come on people, stop saying you need to see South America one day, just start saving and get over here and do it!!!
xoxoxo

By the way, Waterfall in Castellano is Cataratas-
Cataratas de Iguazu (Iguazu Waterfalls)! woohoo

All my love,
~ Miki

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

A little travel crazy right now...

Well if you have been seeing my status updates on facebook you would have seen my many comments about Pipa in Brazil or Machu Picchu in Peru or The Caves resort in Jamaica...

I have been scanning the internet like a crazy woman every night hunting for the best flights to some of the most exotic places in South America! I am loving it and LOVING the idea that we have this opportunity to travel. It is like the little travel light went 'ping' inside me and I can't wait to go on these adventures with Chris!

It starts in a week with Salta!! I am soooo excited! Everyone is saying it is a super super good place to go to in Argentina. So I am VERY looking forward to it.
I have included a picture of where Salta is on the map (the little 'A' is Salta, you can also see Buenos Aires on the map too).

I know we have been to Mendoza and skiied, but I have to admit, that trip was booked two days before doing it.. now we have had a couple of weeks to build the excitement of travel and I am going potty waiting for the holidays!! haha

And not only that, I am on a travel planning spree! I have contacted travel companies about booking a tour for Machu Picchu next May and I am also looking at where we can go in the July Winter holidays next year... haha! I found a AWESOME way to book flights, relatively cheap so that you can go country hopping- like a around the world ticket, but it is immediate and may work out cheaper. And for all your aussies, it is bestflights.com.au! haha here is the direct link.. if you are a little bit travel thirsty like me, have a go, pick a route like sydney to brazil to mexico to new york and back... its great!!
I have been doing it from Buenos Aires and not even including Australia in my search and it works like a dream! finds the cheapest flights and air carriers!
http://www.bestflights.com.au/cheap-flights/book-flights-online-stopover

Now this all sounds like very me me me travel planning driven, Chris is still in the picture here everybody.. but he has his masters essay due this week and another one next week. We are going to lock things in on Friday together.. travel plans!! yippeeee

So here is proof, while I write this, mi esposo lindo es trabajando mucho! Please excuse the wacky photo.. just getting creative with my webcam. hahaha

So now I am going to end this by saying we have 1 more week and it is trimester break- we get one week off and away we go on our Salta adventure!
I have left a picture on here of me looking very bright and happy off to work.. I can tell you I am not this perky in the morning- But all this thinking about travel and holidays coming soon has put another pep in my step!
And I know that my nan and my mama and gidhi are reading this and so here is a nice picture of me going off to work.

I would like to put it out there- if anyone is reading and has some travel suggestions for me of anywhere from the USA down to the bottom of Argentina and everywhere in between (South America), could you please comment on this blog!! I would LOVE to hear your favourite places and suggestions.

Hope everyone is happy and well!!
Mucho besos siempre,
Mika

ps. Today I learnt that Mika in Argentina is a really vibrant colourful precious stone!! how cool is that, my nickname over here is an awesome rock! I also learnt that Mika in Peru means plastic folder... hmm