Monday, September 13, 2010

The Planet Iguazú

Other Planets on Earth (2)

Over the years we have found another planet on Earth. During our travels we discovered the sister planet of Polifemo, once in December 1984, and again in February 1984. Its name is Iguazú. I am convinced that it has to be Polifemo’s mundo hermano because it’s a place of rain forest, water and a Roger Dean’s type of landscaping. It is a world of falling water surrounded by the dense vegetation of the most southerly finger of the matto grosso. Those persons who saw Robert De Niro and Jeremy Irons in “The Mission” would have had the opportunity to have a glimpse of this other unique planet on Earth. Of course, it is much more accessible than the Planet Puna. Sitting on the edge of the infamous so-called triple frontier, it can be easily reached by paved highways from Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. It even has its own international airport and lots of five-star hotels.

Nevertheless its greatest attraction is its spectacle of sound and fury coming from its myriad of falling waters in the midst of its jungle’s dark heart. The breadth of the falls is over a mile and half long. Over 275 different cascades drop over the 90 meter basalt cliff of its U-shaped canyon, ranging from small transparent veils to the thundering chaos of the “Devil’s Throat.” On sunny days each fall can supply brilliant rainbows and the wet rainforest that envelops this planet is full of exuberant flora and fauna that are a continuing inspiration for artists looking for exo-biotic life forms.

From the Brazilian side supplies an incredible wide angle vista that spans over 180 degrees. No where on Planet Earth can so many different falling bodies of water be viewed at the same time. From the Argentine side, by means of special walk-ways, visitors are able to stand at the head of over 200 different falls on their walk through the Iguazú jungle while surrounded on all sides by the sound of surging water as it plunges over the edge right at your feet. Unfortunately at the time there were no blue skinned na’vi’s to be seen, and so far obtainium has not been discovered. Perhaps somebody has come across a mother tree but for obvious reasons no one is talking.  Maybe you should come and see for yourselves.