There is a finger of land in far northern Argentina called Missiones Province that shares a border with Brazil and Paraguay.

Iguazu Falls, created as the Iguazu River flows through a basalt canyon is the world’s largest waterfall system, featuring over 275 cascades along a 2.7 km span on the Argentina-Brazil border. Over 80% of the falls are on the Argentinian side, but the most panoramic views are on the Brazilian side.

We’re flying into Puerto Iguazu to spend one day on the Argentine side, and then spend two days on the Brazilian side. Based on past experience at Aeroparque Jorge Newberry we’re anticipating long lines and chaos, so we get there almost three hours early to find the airport largely empty. We check our bags, then have a leisurely breakfast of avocado toast with an egg, and coffee.

We are across the river from Brazil, and this feels completely different than the rest of Argentina. The jungle is out there. Cash is king, but we fail in our efforts to find a Western Union office; three are listed on Google Maps, but none are there. Helpful shop owners keep directing us to the next street over, and over. We finally find a Cambio, and try to change perfectly good $100.00 dollar bills, but the sullen clerk finds microscopic flaws with each one. Tiny tears, a bit of red ink on the bill. She finally glances briefly at one bill and accepts it.

Flush with far from perfect Argentine pesos we head back to the hotel. The rooftop bar and pool is thumping with Techno House music and the Caiparhinas are strong. We watch the sun set and the moon rise over the Iguazu River. Tomorrow we’re going to the Devil’s Throat.