Around the Horn on Holland America's Veendam: Valparaiso to Buenos Aires: Monday and Tuesday: Buenos Aires to Iguazu Falls

We left the Veendam in Buenos Aires, took a taxi (15 min.) to the National Airport (Jorge Newbury) that is nearby, and promptly waited for almost an hour to check in (a large tour group from the ship was ahead of us.) We found they had oversold the plane, so that caused problems. Friends found their flight had been cancelled so they were on a late afternoon one. But...we finally made it to Iguazu, a nice 1.5 hour flight from BA. (Be warned however, that LAN Airlines DID CHECK our carryons...the size machine also weighed them. The result was that about 90% of carryons were rejected initially and had to be gate-checked. By the time we got there, they were waving us through (THANK GOODNESS!) so we were lucky...but be forewarned...the 8 kg for checkons is strictly enforced by LAN.

We were met by Ariel who would be our driver the rest of our time in Iguazu...he took us to our B & B, picked up our host, John, and drove us around with John pointing out the local town which is lovely. Once we changed our clothes (now 2 pm or so) we were driven to the entrance of the falls. Ariel suggested we meet him at the Sheraton which is in the park about 6:30, so off we went on a brilliant sunny but HOT afternoon (temps in the 100's with humidity the same.) We took the "lower circuit" which gives you a great overview of the falls which are enormous....one photo can't take them all in...even a pan only takes in one part. By 5 we were dripping wet with sweat, so a beer and iced tea at the Sheraton were great...we also saw our friends who had to take the later plane, so were able to give them some pointers on what/where to go.
We were back in time for John's fabulous Happy Hour which is not to be missed. The opportunity to meet with other guests and John over wonderful appetizers was great. By 9, we were full enough to just go to bed without any supper.

This morning, after a delicious breakfast (and a good night's sleep) we returned to the park...but a totally different day. Today it rained (POURED) for most of the time, so we were decked out in ponchos, sweatbands AND hats...and our quick drying pants and shirts. We were OK...but not many photo ops today...just enjoyed the sights. Today we went to the upper level of the waterfalls, so had an entirely different view. If I can upload this tonight I will...it's a panorama of only one of the MANY falls here. I've put it together even though it's a "rough pan". You'll see the photo breaks, but that's really what this one fall looked like. Amazing power and beauty.
We were also able to have a delicious Argentine BBQ for lunch...I hate to say, but I liked it better than Texas! It offered us a nice respite from the thunderstorms, so it worked out nicely.
Iguazu Falls National Park was amazing This is definitely a wonder to see if you are anywhere in the Argentina area.

Tomorrow we head back to Buenos Aires in the afternoon and get on our Dallas-bound flight in the evening...home again soon.
It's been a fabulous trip. We were fortunate to do it. I shall probably add a few more photos when we return for the CCers following this.
Off for Happy Hour again tonight and see if I can upload this.