The waterfalls and scenery at Iguazu National Park in Argentina are a breathtaking sight. The roving crowds and man-made additions, slightly less so.
You are standing at the start of a trail, marked on a map but absolutely devoid of people. “In this habitat you might meet a dangerous animal” reads the aged wooden sign, with its paint cracked and fading. Besides the pumas roaming the jungle, the poisonous snakes and thief-like biting coatis, heading down this solitary trail seems to be a great idea.
Your senses are slightly heightened by the possibility of a puma emerging from the jungle growth but your senses are similarly dulled by the prospect of spending the rest of the afternoon with a bunch of tourists on an overlook.
You are enjoying the near silence as you walk the dirt path. You are scanning the trees for the many amazing birds that call this region home. They, like yourself, aren’t overly enthused by large masses of screaming people and so random jungle hangouts become the better idea.
There is a flurry of activity to your right. You jump back to see a Capybara, the world’s largest rodent, scamper into the underbrush. Everything is bigger in the rainforest.
You stop and crouch down to examine the giant ants prowling along the dirt. You notice the giant orb-weaver spiders and their extensive nests which seem to hang everywhere. You recall the golden orb weaver spiders in Australia and the fact that they have eaten birds, caught in the giant nest.
Despite the rainforest denizens power to kill, maim or scare you, the peace and quiet makes it highly rewarding, and well worth the stroll. You continue onwards. Your peripheral vision picks up some activity at the top of the treeline. You stop and stare at lots and lots of leaves. You readjust your angle and see more leaves, softly floating in the gentle breeze. You wait patiently until finally you see the giant Toco Toucan, the world’s largest type of toucan, perched atop a large tree. It’s beak looks artificial, so impressive and out of proportion to what you are familiar.
…
The path narrows, running down a hill and steering around the many trees. The growth now is a bit heavier and the trail is nearly gone. While this setting may be even more conducive to a puma attack, such things are very rare. It is also the setting to a great adventure, and these are easier to come by luckily.
The noise of rushing water is becoming louder to your left hand side. You beat back some brush and make your way along some large rocks.
You are now standing alone in the jungle. Black and dark gray rocks of all sizes are scattered all around. The air is more refreshing now, cooling with you a gentle mist. In front of you—a waterfall. While it is nowhere near the giant size of the heavily trafficked falls nearby, it feels like your personal discovery, your very own waterfall for you to enjoy all to yourself.
It has been a little while since you slipped away into this secret world, away from the chatter of people and boardwalks. You’ve been paid a visit by the world’s largest type of toucan, the world’s largest rodent and your very own waterfall.
Fear doesn’t see much but itself.
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