Colonia, Uruguay

Yesterday night, we realized we were really exhausted (too much to go out, even...), so we decided to go rest a little while on the Uruguayan side of Rio del Plata. Colonia is a very nice city, only 3 hours from Bs As by boat, which makes it a major tourist attraction for Argentines. Indeed, now is off season, so it is super nice, and there is not much people.
Unfortunately, Gustav is feeling sick today, but let's hope he'll feel better when we go to Montevideo tomorrow. Do not worry, we are going back to Bs As's nightlife this weekend. And after that, we'll be heading south, there is still more than 3000kms to go!

Lighthouse (lack of inspiration...)

Buenos Aires, part 1

And we're back!!! We met on Friday night in Buenos Aires. So far, so good, the city is great. Gustav enjoyed his time in Santiago, and I in Rosario (I was even willing to stay longer there...). on Saturday we took a long walk in the city. The streets were deserted in the middle of the afternoon because David Coulthard was driving his F1 on the main avenue (which is said to be the largest in the world...). 100 000 p went there (we did not...).
*Happy Birthday Gregoire.*

the deserted subway... (note that everything is wood, and that the doors open manually)

The presidential palace

Flag :-)

Rosario

I ll be staying an extra day in Rosario after all... The partying here is craaaazyyyy (and there is no wind => no windsurf). I'll meet Gustav tomorrow in Buenos Aires. More news when I get there!

Cataratas de Iguacu - part 2!

So, now we have seen both sides of the fall, Brazil and Argentina though we still cannot choose wich was the best, and probably we never will! Both sides were amazing!

Panoramic view of falls on the Argentinian side.

"Devils throat" (and us)

I dont know how to write "oohhh" and "ahhh" in portuguese, so you´ll have to imagine!
(and no, I wont translate it, my portuguese is quite bad!)

Well, what can I say, you probably realized by now that you have to come here and see for yourselves!! It´s just marvelous!!!



"Two sisters waterfall"

Itaipu dam

Today we visited the 2nd biggest dam, which is also one of the 7 engineering wonders. It is a neutral area between Brazil and Paraguay.

Each of the 20 forced ducts leads to a 700MW generator (these white thingies...). Each one has a permanent debit corresponding to half the Iguacu falls... The guide claimed that his dam will remain the most powerful of all because the flow rate of the river Yang Tse (Yannick, please correct me if Im wrong...).

The reservoir is fairly small, (190x7 kms), but because of the important flowrate, it can be filled in 90 days, or 14 in rainy season...
Artist view of the reservoir...

One of the three spill channel... In the rainy season, the three are open, which corresponds - to use your favorite unit - 40 times the average Iguacu falls flowrate.

Tomorrow we'll be on the argentine side.

PS : Yesterday, I forgot to mention something funny : entering the park, Gustav started taking a couple of useless pictures. Once on the boat's engine started - or maybe 5 minutes after, I dont want to be rude - Gustav's camera ran out of battery... Indeed, we saw the falls for the very first time way after that...