You know how sometimes people make the comment, “Google (or any tech/ AI entity) is always listening.” Well, we had our first experience where that was a positive thing. What happened was we booked a trip to Iguazu Falls before we left Argentina, from Asunción Paraguay, on April 11th and decided to spend two nights in Brazil. Three days before we were set to leave, CNN shared an article with Dave on his phone about how on April 10th Brazil’s visa requirements for US Citizens will go into place. We weren’t planning on being able to visit Brazil this part of the adventure so the thought of checking visa requirements completely slipped our minds! We went online that night and filled out our application and said a little prayer. A three day turnaround for a visa is a rarity in the United States, so we weren’t holding our breath that it would work out. We got notification two days before departure that our applications had been accepted. And then the day before departure we received an email with our electronic visas. Dave was able to print copies of them at his colocation place and on the 11th we boarded our bus to Foz de Iguazu Brazil, two very grateful people. 🙂
It’s all part of the adventure and we’re here for it. Including when we were on the bus for nine hours instead of five, with a two hour delay at the border because of traffic, and we arrived safely. Being able to see the Argentinian and Brazilian side of the falls was really magical and we now understand why so many people told us we needed to go!
On Sunday our bus back to Paraguay didn’t leave until five so we took an Uber to The Itaipu Plant for a panoramic bus tour of the 3,337,733 acre property. “This bi-national hydroelectric plant is located on the Paraná River between Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, and Ciudad del Este, Paraguay.” It is the third largest hydroelectric plant in the world.
Paraguay has continued to provide some welcomed chill time to our adventure. The weather is beautiful everyday and the food is delicious and affordable. I definitely feel like I am in my eating era. 🤣 Even Dave mentioned he feels like he’s on vacation. This is the first time in the 19 months of this adventure that he has felt/expressed that he felt that way, without actually being on vacation, and I couldn’t be more thrilled!
Last week I visited the Cementerio de la Recoleta. The tiles on the mausoleums in Paraguay are to the stained glass windows on the ones in Argentina, and they rival Portugal for their elaborate designs. I also went to Museo del Barro. Which “began as a private circulating collection and seven years later acquired a permanent location. It includes three separate divisions, a pottery museum, an indigenous art museum and a contemporary art collection.” (Google) and it was very cool! I appreciated their collection of pottery, sculpture, art and of course the historic mates. It is fun to compare the indigenous art from different countries and to notice similarities. I feel like museums like Museo del Barro gave me a window into Paraguayan culture.
This past weekend we spent more time exploring the historic downtown of Asunción. We started out at Costanera de Asunción which is a nice park along the Bahía de Asunción (Bay of Asuncion) that has a little beach and walking paths where we took in the view of the Palacio de López, which is the Governor’s’ Palace, the skyline and the port. We were also able to go inside the National Pantheon of Heroes and the outside of Central Station Railway Museum on the edge of the Chacarita neighborhood.
On the 26th we move to Lima, Peru for three weeks. We have been to Lima once before back in 2018 and we’re looking forward to having more time to immerse ourselves in Peruvian culture. We’re also hoping to meet up with some friends that we made on our wine tour in Chile. Just a little over two months until we’re home. We are doing our best to enjoy every minute. Sending you love wherever you are!
The view of the Friendship Bridge between Paraguay and Brazil from our seats on the bus.The bus station in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil.View from our hotel the first night in Foz do Iguaçu.And the sunrise the day of our tour to Iguaçu Falls. The beginning of the Argentinian side of the falls. Argentinian IguaçuArgentinian IguaçuThe white flag in the picture is where you get a good view of “Devil’s Throat.”The view from Devil’s Throat-ArgentinaDevil’s ThroatWe saw some more incredible birds. This is a plush-crested jay.Black-crowned night heron. These South American Coati were all over the place waiting for the train back to the entrance on the Argentinian side. Our tour guide called them “organized crime.” 🙂The beginning of the Brazilian side of Iguaçu Falls. View of the falls from the Brazilian side. More incredible views. I love a good perspective shot!The view of Devil’s Throat from the Brazilian side of Iguaçu Falls.The very wet finish to a magical day!Dave’s picture 🙂The view from the observation tower at the end of the walkways on the Brazilian side. Itaipu Hydroelectric Power Plant-BrazilThe view from the top of the dam from the panoramic bus. One of the giant penstocks that carries water to the hydroelectric turbine. Dam views.More dam views. Cool flora. Century plant. So many cool birds! This is the red-crested cardinal.Red-rumped cacique.Yello-chevroned parakeet.Palacio de López. Asunción, Paraguay.Kitties love to read too! Biblioteca Municipal Augusto Roa Bastos. AsunciónAnother library kitty. Palacio de López at night. Some of the amazing tile on the mausoleums at Cementerio de la Recoleta. Asunción.Cementerio de la RecoletaCementerio de la RecoletaCementerio de la RecoletaCemetery kitties.The view from our rooftop. The great kiskadee that was keeping me company. Vintage mate cups and straws. Museo del Barro.These figurines remind me of the ones I saw at the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico.Museo del BarroIndigenous lacework at Museo del Barro. Amazing bead work done by Harry Chavez as part of his “La Otra Verdad” series. “La Otra Verdad” Museo del BarroMixed media art by Rafael FilizzolaCatholic artifacts possibly dating back to the 17th century. Shaman regalia and masks from Chaco, Paaraguay.Museo del BarroIndigenous necklace. Religious figurines. “La Carpilla Sixtina” by Paraguayan artist Ricardo Migliorisi. This made up the walls of a tent inside the Museo Del Barro and is “an ironic take on the Sistine Chapel.”“Mural” by Rcardo Migliorisi. The sunsets in Asunción have been pretty spectacular. These two are from our rooftop in the Recoleta neighborhood. Yes the same name as the one we stayed in in Buenos Aires 🙂Amusement park in Costanera de AsunciónHéroes del Chaco BridgePalacio de López from Costanera de AsunciónDave shared that Paraguay has the largest navy of any landlocked country. “Monumento a los Héroes del Chaco” This is “a significant symbol of Paraguay’s national identity and patriotism, particularly in the context of the Chaco War”This beautiful mural marks the entrance to the Puerto Cultural Center. “La Escultura de Stroessner” Stroessner’s Sculpture 🙂Caryota urens is part of the palm family and is not native to Paraguay.I never get tired of the incredible murals in all of the cities we’ve visited. It gives life to even the areas in need of more love. National Pantheon of HeroesThe view of the ceiling/dome inside of the National Pantheon of Heroes.The Paraguayan flag in stained glass. Central Station Railway Museum. The station opened in June 1861.They have some of the old rail cars still on the tracks. Up-cycled sculpture near the Chacarita neighborhood. The Metropolitan Cathedral of Our Lady of the AssumptionThe view of Palacio de López from the Negroni rooftop bar.The view of the park at Costanera de Asunción, the Bay of Asunción and the Héroes del Chaco Bridge. Sunset on the Negroni Rooftop.
