Just returned from South America - April 20, 2006

The waterfall, C.I. the most captivating of all.

How it looks from about 100 meters away.


Approaching the falls by zodiaks.


The thundering waterfall gets louder.


Getting close.

Now that we've seen the falls from the top, mid-level, and from the boat, let's look at it from above.

Approaching the falls.


The Devil's Throat is the big one.


That's the hotel where we stayed; the only one close to the falls.

Can anyone explain the geological formation of those huge circles that make the falls? That looks neat.

Final on Igacu Falls. It's 245 feet high and 1.8 miles wide. It has 275 falls. It's really awesome to see the whole thing as we have. As can be seen, the falls are surrounded by a rain forest. We were lucky to have had good weather during our visit.

Saw this critter at the entrance of one of the many places to see the falls. Anybody know what it is? All I know is, it's not a ant eater.

Looks like a funny corgi...


Stupendous photos, CI.

a coati?

I did a report on those back in fourth grade, having opened the encyclopedia at that page -

http://www.travelgrotto.com/images/Travelogue/Americas/Costa%20Rica/LapaRios/Lapa-Coati.jpg

osso, Thanks; it looks like a coati. Will paste the name on the picture.

Rio de Janeiro, the home of the "real" Samba, a mixture of Spanish and African music. Remember "Bossa Nova" or the "Girl From Impanema" from the fifties? We saw the bar-restaurant where it was composed.

Our hotel, the JW Marriott, is located on Copacabana, the most popular in Rio. It is said that Copacabana has the most densely populated land area in the world of some 25,000 people per sq km. It didn't seem that way when we were there, but we did notice some good restaurants in the area.

Bill, my roommate, and I went to Tanaka San restaurant for lunch about two blocks from our hotel, and had a huge boat full of sushi with two beers that set us back about US$30, but you should see the food we consumed!

As most people know, Rio is known for Cristo Redeemer and Sugar Loaf. We went to the top of both, and also enjoyed a half day cruise around Inpanema, Sugar Loaf, and the bridge.

Rio was somewhat anti-climatical after Igacu Falls, but I'm glad I was able to visit Rio at least once to walk the streets, see the people, and enjoy their food. It rained the last two days we were in Rio, but it was after our sightseeing, so it didn't matter much.

The one with the window is our hotel.


I paid US$1 to take this picture.


Our lunch at Tanaka San.


Cristo Redeemer.


View from Corcovado mountain (location of Cristo Redeemer) towards Sugar Loaf on the left side.

The beach on the right side of the last picture is Copacabana, and tdhe closer beach is Impanema.

Our cruise boat.


The flying saucer building seen on our cruise.


Oil rig in the bay. They're important to Brasil's economy.


The volcano church in Rio. There are no supporting beams inside this building.


Cable car to Sugar Loaf.

What a holiday, C.I.!!

You DO get around, don't you. Nice to see you back safe and sound, though.

Stunning photos.

I particularly liked the sushi boat...

How did they get that "no smoking" sign on the side of the mountain?

Well, this is the last part of this travelogue, but it's on Miami, because I finally did a tour of this town after passing through about a half dozen times to and from Central and South America. My curiosity about Miami have finally been satisifed!

Our driver-guide was Oscar. He took us to Little Havana and this cigar shop where a father and son owns plantations in the Caribbean and their own cigar factory. Ahnold and some other VIPs buy their cigars from this family. Both the father and son were at the shop, and the son told us about how to keep cigars when not kept in humidors. Charlie and I shared a box. That's Charlie in the bacground paying for it.


The Hard Rock in Miami.


Typical Miami Beach business on the main drag.


I think a famous entertainer owns this one.


These were the wines served at the BBQ in Argentina, but what the hay!~


THE END

How nice, buddy!

Great photos, excellent travelogue, c.i.!

These pictures are just splendid, cicerone. Makes you want to pack your
suitcases and head down for South America. Once of these days.....

Santiago, Rio, Buenos Aires have been on my list for a long time. Hopefully, I don't have to wait until retirement to see them.

CJ, Whatever you do on your trip south, don't miss Igacu Falls.