Day 50-52: Taking it easy in Foz do Iguaçu

The day after visiting the falls on the Brasil side, we decided to try and visit the Argentine side. To make a really long story short, I only had a single entry visa for Argentina, and I couldn't use it then since I'd be going to Buenos Aires on the 16th. We tried to call the embassy in Foz but they said that only residents could apply for visas in Foz. So Ange and I stayed in Foz and B and Daniel headed over to Argentina.

So in the morning we stayed in at our hostel, Hostel Bambu, which is actually one of the nicest hostels I've ever stayed in. We stayed in a 10 bed dorm room with an bathroom inside. It was clean and spacious and each bed has its own power outlet so you're not fighting to use one (automatically a plus in my book).

Really cozy living room with comfy couches, a TV, playstation, and two common computers. Working wifi all over the hostel (though sometimes it would be a but erratic, but overall it worked well).

The outside area has another HD TV and couches. This is where we watched the Brasil v. Germany game. Really good vibes and the staff is very friendly and helpful.

The dining area and bar. You get free breakfast (eggs, toast, sausages, beens, coffee), and you can also cook your own meals.

The pool area. It would be so lovely to swim here in the summer.

Ange and I went out for lunch, and ate at the same house that served home cooked food. Another great meal :)

Then in the afternoon we went to visit the Triplice Fronteira cause Ange wasn't with us the first time we went.

It was a nice clear day

 In the evening we went out for dinner after B and Daniel came back. B and Daniel ordered this steak that came out in a sizzling hot plate.

And then when mine and Ange's steak came out it looked a little sad... but it was still really yummy.

Group picture at Jardim da Cerveja

The next day we decided to visit Parque das Aves. We originally wanted to take the bus, but the bus takes about half an hour to come, and we let two buses go because they were just so full. We ended up taking a taxi. A picture of an empty bus below. It was packed all the way from the back to the front, you couldn't even enter the bus. The bus system is pretty interesting. There are two guys working on the bus - the driver and the money collector. It's an extra man working, but it makes the buses move so much faster since the driver doesn't have to worry about ticket collection.

The money collector - after you pay, you go through the turnstiles. Bus prices vary by city, but they're all around 2,50 to 3,00 reals (R$ 2,85 here in Foz, R$ 3,00 in Sao Paulo).

The Parque das Aves (Bird Park) (R$28) is a bird sanctuary in Foz do Iguaçu, actually located quite near to the Falls. They had a really large variety of birds (a lot of rescued birds) and there's an organized trail to follow in the park so you don't miss out on anything.

 At the start the birds are mostly in big cages, but later on in the trails there are larger aviaries that you can walk through and get up close to the birds.

Lóris-arco-íris / Rainbow lorikeet

Hyacinth Macaw

Grey Crowned Crane

Flamingoes

Toucans

The walkway in one of the larger aviaries

Guará / Scarlet Ibis

Getting up close and personal with the toucans...

Parrots

Butterfly House

We had lunch at the bird park and then dropped B off at the airport before heading back to the city. We chilled around in the afternoon. Then for dinner, Ange and I walked around a bit looking for a place to eat. We found a nice restaurant serving inexpensive Japanese food, so I finally got to have my Japanese fix!

The next day we had to check out by 11am but we got to chill in the hostel before our flight in the afternoon.

Had a great relaxing time at Foz

And then we were back in Rio de Janeiro! The baggage claim area was so cute :)

From the airport we took a bus into the city, and got off at Copacabana. From there we tried to find a taxi to take us to our hostel, but for some reason we couldn't find one. In the first taxi stand we went to, the drivers were on a break or something, and the second stand had four taxis parked, but no drivers in sight. We walked down the road toward the direction of our hostel and just hoped we'd be able to find a taxi. A nice guy came up to us when we were standing by the road and helped us hail a taxi which took us to our hostel.

Our hostel is located behind the lagoon, and as we were walking back after dinner, we saw a lit up Christ from the road.

Calling it a night for now, to get ready for the finals tomorrow!