There happened to be an Aerolineas Argentinas outlet in San Carlos de Bariloche when we were there and we worked out that we could get to Iguazu on an internal flight from Salta before we leave Argentina; Salta was on the most recent edition of our plan at the time. So we bought tickets which immediately gave us some fixed dates. Hence the push to get to Salta. We were going to spend Christmas at Iguazu Falls - and have a rest from the bike, and the bike from us.
Salta seems more affluent than some of the other Argentinian towns and cities we have visited. Generally this is the case for most of the northern Argentinian towns and cities, excepting Ushuaia which will always be an exception due to the tax free status of Tierra del Fuego. Salta has pavements. It is relatively clean. There are fewer street dogs. Vehicles are recognisably newer (less rust holes). Most of the towns do have nice squares or parks. They even manage the odd Christmas decoration or crib. But we didn't find much in Salta despite it having two Basilicas. In fact there is not much sign of Christmas at all.
Salta to Iguazu was a big change - not in Christmas parafinalia, but in weather. We were now in a very luxuriant rain forest and it rains regularly. And the humidity was quite striking. We stayed in a hotel that was built on the site of, and based on, a Jesuit Mision. A bit 'tomb-raider-ish'. It was our Xmas present to ourselves. But not many signs of Christmas.
On our first full day there, we were introduced to Walter who taxied us about everywhere. The first day was the Argentinian side of the waterfalls. Not all of it was open as two sections of the walkways had been washed away at the end of October - when we had originally planned to go. At that time the flow of water was 16 times more than usual. Anyway there was a walk through the jungle to get to the falls and everything was pretty spectacular as can be seen. The falls were as big and impressive as they were made out to be. Shame we couldn't have the blue sky for the photos. However, possibly because it was Christmas, there weren't too many people about. It certainly wasn't crowded.
On our second day we went to the Brazilian side. Paraguay which was on the other side of the river to our hotel misses out on the falls but shares a hydroelectric plant with Brazil. Our visit was actually on Christmas Day. There was no sign whatsoever of it being Christmas. Not that the Coaties, monkeys and other associated wildlife cared.
There was also nothing festive about the meal in the restaurant in the evening - it was the same menu as the other two days. No Christmas songs playing in the background. No crackers or paper hats. At least we had a swim in the swimming pool - before the next thunder storm rolled in.
We have now flown back to Salta and getting ready to set off in the morning with a couple of potentially difficult days coming up.
