Finding Inspiration at Iguazu Falls

Travel blogger Keith Jenkins shares his life-changing experiencing to Iguazu Falls. To mimic Keith's breathtaking experience, book a trip there via LAN Airlines.

I’ll never forget my first glimpse of Iguazu Falls. That day in December 2008 was one of the formative experiences of my new life as a globetrotter; a defining moment that has inspired me to travel and blog ever since.

I found myself in Brazil during a tumultuous time, both for the world and myself. Halfway through a five-month break from my career as a banker, Lehman Brothers collapsed throwing the financial world – and my future job prospects – into grave doubt.

Although my future as a banker looked grim, the sights and sounds I was experiencing helped to soften the uncertainty, and eventually opened up the door to a new and inspiring future.

When I found myself perched above the astonishing sight of the Iguazu Falls; curtains of water thundering into the vast tropical gorge below, clouds of water vapour throwing up a series of dazzling rainbows before my eyes, the financial crisis was the very last thing on my mind.

Instead I was in Brazil having the time of my life, exploring the world on my own and learning things about myself that I had never considered before. I pondered upon my future as I peered over the edge. Like the falls before me, I realized that my future was going to be a dive into the unknown.

The thought that I had my future in my own two hands was both exciting and terrifying at the same time. I had no clue what I was going to do but as I watched the water tumble over the edge, I knew that if I simply followed my heart and my instincts, just like I did by embarking on this world trip, the future would be as rewarding as the resplendent rainbows below.

With hindsight, I know now that this moment was a turning point in my life.

I revisited Iguazu in July 2012, this time not as a precarious banker but as a professional and successful travel blogger.

I was excited to re-visit the spot that had become a personal symbol of my career change, though I was apprehensive that this time round would be an anti-climax. Over the previous four years, as I embarked on this new career path, the symbolism of the falls gained almost mythical proportions, at least, in my mind.

Check out other amazing South American wonders such as Machu Pichu & Easter Island

That concern was swiftly banished from my mind the second I laid my eyes on the falls. I was stunned by the ferocity, the power and the incredible volume of water.

For the second time in my life I was stunned by the surreal scenes before me.

Visiting the Falls

The next day, I visited the Argentinian side of the falls. Whereas the Brazilian side offers visitors a panoramic view of the falls, on the Argentinian side you can get up close and personal with the falls, along a series of boardwalks, which lead directly above, and then below the falls.

You can visit the falls year round, during the drier summer months (winter in the northern hemisphere) the water level is lower and the falls take a greenish tinge. In the wetter winter the water levels can be significantly higher, the falls are much more powerful and the water is a milky brown.

These are easily among the world’s most iconic waterfalls. I suggest spending a few days in the area to view the falls from both countries. Don’t miss the highlight on the Argentina side: the breathtaking Garganta del Diablo or Devil’s Throat.

There are opportunities to go on boat rides to the foot of the falls as well as helicopter rides that provide visitors with a phenomenal bird’s eye view.

The Brazilian side of the falls also has two other attractions: the beautiful Parque das Aves bird park and the impressive Itaipu Dam, both of which I can highly recommend for a visit. Foz do Iguaçu (the Brazilian gateway to the falls) and Puerto Iguazu (the Argentinian gateway) both have airports with frequent connections to major cities in the respective countries.

Keith Jenkins- http://velvetescape.com/

Based in Amsterdam, in a former life Keith had a successful career in corporate and investment banking. But despite his success, his career began to feel empty. So he made the life-changing decision to get out and follow his new calling: travelling the world and seeking out its sexiest, richest and most opulent experiences.

Keith has visited more than 70 countries across six continents and writes about his travels on his popular blog, Velvet Escape. He also often speaks at travel and social media conferences, and is the co-founder of the Global Bloggers Network, a community of more than 1,300 individual and corporate travel bloggers that helps its members grow and monetise their blogs.

Find Keith on Google+.

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