From a very young age I always knew I would travel the world, and at the age of 18 I flew the nest and was off on my first long haul trip on my own, Australia. Four years later I had racked up three ‘ Round The World’ travel experiences visiting destinations such as India, Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, Indonesia, New Zealand, Argentina and Brazil.
Upon returning from the third trip I decided it was time to look for a career that would allow me to continue my passion for travel, so I downed my carpentry tools and at the age of 21 I started a career in the travel industry. Twenty years later I am still in the industry and still travelling as much as I can, so the one question I am frequently asked is :
‘Where is your favourite destination in the world’?.
A question almost impossible to answer as everywhere is unique and has its own special qualities! However after returning this week to one place I have not been to for over twenty years I am now reminded of one of the most incredible and spectacular sights in the world, the Argentine side of Iguazu Falls.
- The stunning Iguazu Falls. Photo by David Pointer
It’s a place that you really cannot put in to words, because who would believe you could spend ten hours watching waterfalls without getting bored? But no matter how long you look, you will always see something new.
The sheer size of Iguazu Falls is mesmerising, with 275 separate falls or drops, the highest at 82 metres, and an average of 1756 cubic metres of water flowing over the edge every second.
One exhilarating way to experience Iguazu Falls close up is to board a speedboat that takes you right up to the base of the falls. Be prepared to get very wet (swimsuits recommended!).
They look even better up close. Photo by David Pointer
There are three main areas of the falls to visit but I would recommend you visit the Devil’s Throat first. Ignore the remains of the nearby boardwalk that was swept away in 1992, it will only make you more nervous that you are about to stand right on the edge of one of the most powerful and largest waterfalls in the world!
Perfect at every glimpse. Photo by David Pointer
This was my second visit to the falls and it is more developed than my first visit back in 1991 but for the better, as there are now more vantage points available and more ways to experience the falls. Iguazu Falls it is still the most spectacular and remarkable place I have ever been.
This time though, what made this visit even more special was being able to experience it with my partner’s father who had up until this point never left his home country of Ecuador.
The expression on his face when he first saw the falls was a picture in itself, he was totally mesmerised by this natural wonder.
My partner and his dad in awe of the view. Photo by David Pointer
It is at times like this that reminds me why we are so privileged to work in such a fantastic industry, giving us the opportunity to make people’s dreams come true and organising such wonderful experiences for our clients, as well as being able to experience them for ourselves too.
Written by David Pointer, Head of Product at Western & Oriental.
