"Defies description" Foz do Iguaçu by Assenczo

Iguaçu Falls is a protracted experience. The falls are enormous and the approaches many. One can start with the dessert or the main course, depending on attitude or knowledge.

The climax of the whole Iguaçu experience is the face-to-face encounter with the Devil’s Throat – the most impressive of all the 200-plus falls which constitute this wonder of Mother Nature. Hanging around till the afternoon is rewarded with a spectacular “sound-and-light” show in the form of roaring waters and blinding rainbows. After being practically soaked to the bones in the blessed waters of Iguaçu, one can climb up a watch tower and admire the falls from a different angle before boarding the bus (this point could have been an introduction to the falls) or stretching the experience with lengthy lunch or boat cruises (no crossing to Argentina is allowed at this point).

Middle section lookout

After a while there was an opening where I was given a preview of what is to come – many sub falls, one or two tiered, crowned with a massive display of water power at the end of the “tunnel”. This happened to be the midsection lookout conveniently developed for the sheer pleasure of the tourists – water sports vehicles of different sorts and dimensions were buzzing up and down river, giving some thrill-seeking humans what they were looking for.

First glimpse of Iguacu

I had no idea what to expect and rushed off the bus immediately after I noticed the waters. This was a devilish play on the part of the Iguaçu administrators. It allowed me to see just a section of the falls without realizing how much more is hidden from view. The reaction of a five-time-Niagara visitor was of bewilderment and disappointment. Despite the obvious advantage over Niagara in terms of height, there was not enough water to inspire me. Pretty low in spirit, I continued along the path covered with tropical vegetation and filled with local marauders – funny tail-up animals wooing the tourist for more food.

• Pros:The largest, biggest, widest etc. superlatives
• Cons:I cannot have it in my backyard
• In a nutshell:Natural wonder of highest order