Foz do Iguazu - picture alert!

After a 10 hour drive, we finally arrived in Foz do Iguazu.  The Brazilians immediately headed to Paraguay to shop the day away, and us Americans headed to bed for a few hours of sleep.  We all reconvened in the evening to board the bus again for the lighting of Itaipu.  Itaipu is a hydroelectric dam on the Paraná River located on the border between Brazil and Paraguay. The dam is the largest operating hydroelectric facility in terms of annual energy generation, supplying 90% of the electricity consumed by Paraguay and 19% of that consumed by Brazil.  Although we had been expecting something different than the light show that happened (lasers a la Stone Mountain in Atlanta, fireworks, etc.), we enjoyed spending time with the Rotarians at Itaipu and at dinner afterwards.

Lounging on the bus, en route to Foz do Iguazu 

Cheers, it's a long ride!

Nora, Luiz, Thilly, Emilee, Christopher, and Erin

Itaipu Dam

Christopher, Emilee, Darci, Erin, Lu, Karen

Christopher got us girls flowers

With Friday complete, we slept soundly and were refreshed by the morning for a full day of exploring what the area had to offer.  First was the fall - Cataratas do Iguazu - one of the Seven Wonders of Nature.  The name "Iguazu" comes from the Guarani or Tupi words "y" meaning "water", and "ûasú " meaning "big".  Numerous islands along the 2.7-kilometre-long (1.7 mi) edge divide the falls into numerous separate waterfalls and cataracts, varying between 60 to 82 metres (197 to 269 ft) high. The number of these smaller waterfalls fluctuates from 150 to 300, depending on the water level.  I think all of us were absolutely spellbound by its size and beauty. 

The quati were bold little critters!

Somewhere over the rainbow

But what does it mean?

After a quick lunch, we then set out for Parque do Aves, the bird park.  Despite only having one hour at the park, we maximized our time, seeing all that we could of the many varieties of birds and butterflies, and even getting pooped on (he or she shall remain nameless). 

What are you looking at?

From the bird park, we managed a few hours of down time in hotel before it was time to go to a churrasco dinner and cultural dance show.  The performers sang and danced traditional specialties from all over South America, and we whopped, hollered, and cheered throughout.

Traditional dancing, with 5 bottles balanced on their heads

Thoroughly exhausted from the day, we collapsed into our beds, and also slept again on the bus ride back to Chapeco.  Sunday evening was spent at a fundraiser for Verde Vida, and it was an honor to attend, knowing how the organization is run and what great things it does.  Some of the children who we'd seen on Thursday performed, and then we were mesmerized by both the Chapeco Chorale (singing songs from the 60s, including the Portuguese version of "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini") and the singing group "Misiones de Argentina."