As we walked down the road toward Iguazu Falls it was dark. We carried flashlights to light the way, then descended a series of stairs toward a viewing platform. Our guide told us to stay in the middle of the steps and not to hold the railings. I asked why.

“Scorpions and spiders get on the railings at night”

We were all there hoping to see a rare astronomical sight. When the moon is full and the night is clear, the mist from the falls will refract the moonlight and create a moonbow. Conditions this night were perfect.

As we approached the platform we could see a perfect arch of white light stretching across the gorge in front of us. Only at the ends of the moonbow could we see the prismatic separation of the light into characteristic rainbow colors.

Just to the left and above we could see the Southern Cross.

We then climbed down to the lowest observation deck where we were given ponchos to wear. As we walked out, the mist became a deluge of water which the ponchos did little to ameliorate. Clothes were soaked, shoes were soaked and I felt like I had taken a shower. From here another Moonbow was visible.

As we dripped back up the stairs we were greeted with a cold drink of water, and a shuttle back to the hotel.