March 08th
This morning we hiked approximately 5km to 3 flags. Three Flags is a monument marking the river that separates Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay and you are able to see Brazil and Paraguay from this point. It is nice scenery from this area.
We walked on the sidewalk that ran parallel to the river. A few blocks down from here there was a wall that had some very neat “etchings” on them. This wall was abandoned with grass and bushes growing up in front of it and part of the wall demolished to put in a road. It seemed like the artist was telling a historical story through his work … it was very nicely done and sad to see it slowly disappearing back to nature.
Just across from this wall was a huge ship moored on the river. It looked in bad shape, but possibly being restored.
We continued along the road, but the road was now winding away from the river going up a hill. A short way up the hill was a wooden statue called, “Senora del Iguazu”. I was intrigued with this statue and I took a photo of it.
It was just after noon, so we stopped in the centre of town and got a bite to eat.
We had not planned to stay out after 11:00am as it was over 35 degrees Celsius and very humid. After lunch we checked to see if the Hummingbird Place [Jardin de los picaflores] was open. It turned out to be closed from 11am until 4pm. We opted to come back tomorrow morning when the birds would probably be more active and it would be cooler for us. LOL
We made our way back to our accommodation to have a little siesta before heading out to see the sunset and have supper. We left around 6:30pm, but it was a little too late to see the sunset. We headed to a restaurant called The Van Burger. An interesting place, but food was just okay.
March 09th
We left after breakfast to Jardin de los picaflores to see the hummingbirds. We got to the gate, but it was locked! We then noticed a sign inside the gate that said to clap our hands and someone would be there to let us in … that worked.
The gentleman informed us that it would cost us $100.00 ARS each to visit, which was well worth it. We also bought a beer for $30.00 ARS … a great deal to have a cold beer on a hot and humid day. We stayed at the hummingbird place for about an hour and a half. I was enjoying the challenge of trying to capture these fast moving critters. LOL There were five different species of hummingbirds located in this garden along with other types of birds. What a little oasis in the middle of town.
We then headed to the bus stop to take a bus to Guira Oga, a wildlife refuge for injured animals.
This was a beautiful place and you don’t mind spending $200.00 ARS to assist in the cause of looking after sick and injured animals.
After a one and a half hour tour we were planning on heading back to our accommodation but decided if we were going to see the sunset we better catch the bus and head right back downtown. We got to the hill behind the Panoramic Grand Hotel to observe the sunset, but because of the cloudy conditions there was not going to be a nice sunset tonight. We opted to head to a restaurant and try some of the infamous beef and then walk back to our place of residence.
It was a very muggy and hot two days, but wonderful hikes just the same.