Snakes on a Bus, starring Jodie Cooper and Helen Taylor

Apparently whenever we put our backpacks on, we become about as graceful as Vanessa Feltz and Mandy Dingle. We had this horrible realisation at the bus station in Sao Paolo, when we discovered that when our backpacks were on, we were physically unable to stand upright and were constantly bumping into each other. We looked like a couple of clumsy goons. The Chuckle Brothers with backpacks.

We boarded our bus at Sao Paulo bus station which was to take 16 hours to reach Iguacu, the Brazilian side of the Falls. The bus was barely comfortable had really loud films badly dubbed in Portugese. As you can imagine this made sleep difficult. But what made sleep even more difficult however, was the discovery of a snake on our bus. Jodes spotted a slight commotion 2 seats behind and watched as 3 people peered into an open tupperware box. She then witnessed one of the box gang dipping their hand into the tupperware and fondling what appeared to be a black and red snake. We watched in horror as the 3 of them cooed over the creature of death and weren´t exactly filled with confidence when the lid was replaced and the box was `secured` with a tiny piece of red ribbon. Oh don´t worry, there´s a bright red, potentially poisonous snake at large on the bus....but at least its not going anywhere with that flimsy ribbon holding it in. Yeah, no way its escaping that impenetrable fortress of security. However hard we tried to sleep after that we couldn´t help but think ´is it on me, is it on me, its on me, its on my leg´. Those actors and actresses from box office flop ´Snakes on a Plane` didn´t have to put up with this shit...and they had Samuel L Jackson to protect them.

It was an arduous border crossing into Puerto Iguazu, Argentina- which saw us boarding 3 separate buses, bumping our total up to 5 buses in 32 hours. Luckily for us our hostel was a bit of a dream, kitted out with a lovely pool, spacious communal area and a games room. The only downside was our tiny sweatbox of a room which we had to share with 2 Israeli guys who had sensibly shot gunned the two bottom bunks. We considered moving our mattresses to the floor to be close to the air conditioning unit, but we thought it might be an invasion of their personal space especially considering due to the heat we couldn´t bring ourselves to wear much to bed and they had already got an eyeful the night before when they came in late, greeted by our sprawled near naked forms.

Some fairly windswept hair

Iguazu Falls are arguably the most impressive Falls in the world with the highest drop being 270 feet. When we got to the National Park we grabbed a tram to the viewing part of the Devil´s Throat, when we got there the views took our breath away and the volume of water was unbelievable. Covered in waterfall spray we stood and tried to take it all in, but unfortunately the photos don`t do it justice, you will have to come and see it for yourselves.

Falls o´clock

We took a walk on the nature trail where we found a butterfly playground, a puddle where a cluster of brightly coloured butterflies had gathered. For most people the scene would have brought a tear to the eye, but not for Jodie Cooper who is possibly the only person in the world who is scared of butterflies. While Robbi and Tay frolicked with the angelic winged creatures, Jodes stood on the sidelines screaming like a girl and flailing her arms around. The only thing worse for Jodie than a gang of flappy butterflies, was her humidity induced inner leg chafe, which has been causing her grief for the duration of the trip. She decided she couldn´t face the discomfort caused by her tiny denim skirt any longer and was forced to purchase a fetching pair of heavily branded Iguazu Falls tracksuit shorts. A fashion faux pas worthy of any American tourist.

Jodie´s worst nightmare

Superimposed

One excursion not to be missed was the Wet ´n Wild style speed boat trip. Donning our life jackets we got up close and personal with the falls and got completely drenched in the process. It was too much fun, and despite looking like wet t shirt contest rejects for the rest of the day, we instantly wanted another go. Overall the falls were the most enjoyable experience we´ve had so far and we´ll find it hard to top it. That said, the steak we ate for dinner that night came close. For 3.50 each we ate the most suculent, tender, juicy, delicious, tantalising, scrumptious, life-changing steak imaginable.

Oy Oy sailor

Yes, more falls

While writing this we have just witnessed Wales beat Scotland in the Six Nations....go Wales!

Speak to you in Buenos Aires! x

written by

JodesAndTay on February 14, 2010 from Puerto Iguazu, Argentina

from the travel blog: Jodes and Tay escape to SA

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Sorry to hear about the chaffing Joey perhaps you need to purchase some vaseline lovely!! Dan was at the Wales match you mentioned with Ash, needless to say they had a fab time and Ash wants to go to every game, I'll explain that its a flook and Wales usually lose!

Don't envy the bus ride hopefully now you can have a few relaxing days.

Can't wait to see the photo's miss you loads xxxxxxxxxxxx

written by Mummy Cooper on February 14, 2010

I should have sent you with "udderly smooth" that cyclists use to prevent the discomfort in the leg area - might have been more useful that the Vit D tub!!!
Falls look wonderful.The snake journey however sounded like my worst nightmare.
Glad to hear you are both continuing to support Wales whenever possible and of course in Patagonia you can both share your Welsh heritage with everyone you meet!

Lots of love Ma Taylor xxxx

written by Pat taylor on February 17, 2010

Meu querido Helen. Sou um pouco preocupado que seus olhares de rosto um pouco empalidecem e diminui, em algums destas fotografias. Espero que coma bastante. As lojas vendem Marmite em Brasil? Espero assim.
Ame, Mandy

written by Mrs Mandy Marmite (mother of twelve) on February 17, 2010

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