In the Realm of the Imagination :: The Wonders of Iguazú Falls, Argentina

Imagine scores of butterflies fluttering around your hands and face. Resplendent butterflies in indigo and orange, and others in red and black, they land on your fingers and forearms, feasting on the salt from your skin as you walk. In the distance, the mist from the waterfalls rises above the treetops. You're on the Devil's Throat Circuit, walking along an elevated steel walkway that spans the Iguaz� River - and that mist in front of you, rising 500 feet into the air, is the spray from one of the world's most miraculous wonders: the Devil's Throat of Iguaz� Falls.

"Iguaz�" means "big water" in the language of the ancients - and apparently, when First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt glimpsed the massive Argentine waterfalls, she murmured, "Oh, poor Niagara."

And while it's true that Iguaz� is taller than Niagara and four times its width, the truth is, Iguaz� Falls has the second largest annual water flow of the waterfalls of the world - after Niagara. And yet, as we all know, it's not only about flow - or size - in this world. What Iguaz� Falls has over so many other waterfalls around the world is a series of incredible walkways and spectacular views that, thanks to its horseshoe-shaped Devil's Throat (Iguaz�'s largest cataract) enables a person to be surrounded by almost 300 degrees of waterfalls. Almost anywhere a person stands, there is water cascading nearly 300 feet into the Iguaz� River.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984, Iguaz� Falls was also short-listed for the "New Seven Wonders of Nature" by the New Seven Wonders of the World Foundation - and its strength is so great as to provide nearly 40% of power for Brazil and Argentine, thanks to the construction of the Itaipu Dam in 1991.

All of these facts you might well know prior to your arrival at Iguaz� - and yet nothing fully prepares you for the magnitude of this natural wonder, not until you are standing on the lip of Devil's Throat, the water pouring over the Parana Plateau with such ceaseless ferocity that there is nothing to do but smile uncontrollably at the magnificence of Mother Nature. Which is what everyone around you is doing - that, and attempting, somehow, to capture this thrilling beauty on film and video.

The Parana River into which the falls ultimately cascade is the water border between Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay - and not unlike that place in the American West where you can be in four states at once, it's possible to visit three countries in the time it takes to eat a sandwich.

While the Brazilian side affords helicopter rides, more than two-thirds of the falls are within Argentine territory, which is where the majority of visitors see Iguaz�. For it's on the Argentine side of the falls that you can ride the Rainforest Ecological Train, a British-built, open-sided train that travels approximately five miles through the rainforest. And it's also on the Argentine side of the falls that you can climb into rubber rafts and take the Ecological Tour through the jungle and along the shores of the Upper Iguaz� River - and see alligators. And it's also on the Argentine side of the falls where you take speedboats that soar through the rapids, aiming straight for the cascade, resulting in a thunderous baptism under the San Martin Waterfall. Think Disney, without seatbelts.

Recently, LAN Airlines inaugurated its new Lima - Iguaz� air service, which shortened travel time for most US travelers (previously, most travel to Iguaz� originated as far south as Santiago, Chile or Buenos Aires) - and, perhaps best of all, provides LGBT travelers with the perfect opportunity to avail themselves of one of the most hospitable and charming hotels in the world: Posada Puerto Bemberg.

WHERE TO STAY:

Posada Puerto Bemberg, Hotel de Selva, Iguaz�, Argentina:

There are places in this world where you feel immediately at home - and then there are places that make you feel as if you've been here before, in another life, at another time. The true miracle, however, is when these two feelings of d�j� vu converge and you find yourself completely at home in a place that is both new to you and wonderfully familiar. The Sanskrit word is "sattva," which, loosely translated, means " pure existence" - and such was the state that enveloped us as we arrived at Posada Puerto Bemberg.

Located in the Misiones jungle, in the Argentine province of Misiones, Posada Puerto Bemberg is what remains of a familial estate and yerba mate plantation that, at one point, encompassed nearly 125,000 acres. The land was owned by the illustrious Bemberg family, founders of one of Argentina's largest breweries, Quilmes, and it was the Bembergs who, in 1925, with their yerba mate plantation, brought running water and electric power to the Province of Misiones.

At that time, access to the falls was only from the river - and the first posada was built in 1940 as an overnight respite for visitors to Iguaz� Falls. Of course, as everyone who's seen Madonna in "Evita" knows, much changed in Argentina, and it wasn't until after years of tumult and upheaval that the Bemberg heirs came together to create an eco-reserve with what remained of their property.

It's fitting that the reborn Posada Puerto Bemberg quotes "King Lear" in its mission statement: "He'll shape his old course in a country new," for the latest incarnation of the posada, which opened quietly in November of 2008, divides its nearly 1,000 acres into a 700-acre reserve, while utilizing 123 acres for a jungle recovery plan, which has, already, replanted more than 5,000 indigenous trees and plants.

We arrived at night, traveling from Iguaz� Airport to Puerto Libertad, the very small town whose origins are inextricably connected to the Bemberg family and industries. We passed through the one-street town and onto a dirt road, illuminated only by the headlights of the van. We were deep in the jungle - and then we were pulling into a cul de sac, where the staff of Puerto Bemberg stood in front of reception, waiting to greet and welcome us to their home.

The current owners of Puerto Bemberg had a dream to create a place for those who love the comforts and intimacy associated with family homes - while also complementing the jungle's indigenous pleasures. In short, Posada Puerto Bemberg seeks to create a haven where culture, wine, and decorative arts commingle with hummingbirds, toucans, and maybe a puma or two.

Dinner that night was taken in the 2,500-volume library cum dining room (complete with grand piano) where a half dozen tables were laid with silver cutlery and crystal. A group of women was at a neighboring table, toasting to each other with Argentine wine. Our party was attended to by two young men, who stood at the room's far end, watching to insure that everything we needed was immediately available. The atmosphere was not unlike being in a private home for a weekend visit, albeit one where the domestic staff has been in residence for years and where the owners are happy to share their good fortune, even when absent.

Posada Puerto Bemberg has only 13 guest rooms and one suite (with private balcony). All the rooms are spacious, with high ceilings and en suite bathrooms (with L'Occitane toiletries), and all furnished with earth-toned artisanal pieces with splashes of tropical color. Headboards, for example, are made from wood salvaged from the Italian tenements of Buenos Aires and the beds are dressed with Egyptian cotton linens and llama-wool blankets. A pillow menu offers nearly a dozen choices including goose feather, foam, latex, balsamic - and our choice, semillas, which was a pillow stuffed with the husks of Saracen wheat seeds that adapted to both the head and neck and was reputed to be perfect for the relief of stress, muscular tension, headaches, and migraine. What we know, for sure, was that we awoke in the morning feeling incredibly blessed, realizing that we had an entire day to spend at this incredible establishment.

Each room has its own patio, perfect for morning coffee while listening to birdsong - or for reading one of the books from the shelves of the curated library in every room. There is also a 65-foot swimming pool, as well as a watchtower, which enables viewers to gaze across the expanse of the property, over the treetops to the Parana River and the banks of Paraguay beyond.

Every morning, there is breakfast, again served in the library cum dining room - or out on the colonnaded veranda overlooking the lawn. Breakfast is not to be missed for it is an opportunity to taste the incredible bounty from Posada Puerto Bemberg's organic fruit and vegetable garden. As the Posada is staffed almost entirely by residents from the neighboring small town, Puerto Libertad, the cuisine is an amalgam of indigenous recipes supplemented by Chef Joselina Hoffmann's years of culinary experience. Breakfast is delicious.

The overwhelming temptation at Posada Puerto Bemberg is to wander off and discover what fascinating treasures lie in wait: a hummingbird path, for example, or a treetop skywalk, leading to an open space, perfect for meditation or a cocktail at sunset - brought to you by one of the attendants, just as you were imagining how perfect it would be to have a beverage.

There's also La Cave, a wine cellar stocked with 1,600 bottles, selected from strict tastings, resulting in 60 labels from 20 vineyards, emphasizing Malbec and Torrontes, Argentina's most emblematic varieties. From La Cave, the view is splendid - and it's entirely possible to linger here, sipping and contemplating the good life in the Argentine jungle.

In addition, the finishing touches are being put on Le Pavilion, a 120-capacity space with a commanding river view, which all but begs for LGBT weddings. What could be more romantic than an LGBT destination wedding at Posada Puerto Bemberg? There's even a chapel on the property, built in 1930 by Bustillo, one of Argentina's foremost architects, which also has superb river views, all the way to the banks of Paraguay (where once upon a time, the locals would gather to hear Mass from across the river).

Above and beyond the creature comforts (of which there are plenty), Posada Puerto Bemberg prides itself - and rightfully so - on being a sustainable, eco-reserve. Biodegradable cleaning products are used exclusively, while recycled wood was used for the library and La Cave (both of which were built with planks from a former athletic club). And apart from the organic garden, there is also an indigenous plant nursery, where a broad range of medicinal plants is cultivated (including stevia, with leaves 45 times as sweet as sucrose).

One morning, we wandered across the property, over to the original family manse. Left in disrepair for decades, the large colonial home is currently undergoing extensive renovation, with the goal of adding a number of suites to Posada Puerto Bemberg's offerings. For a few minutes, as workmen moved behind us, we stood on the veranda, looking down the hill toward the Paran� River and across to the hills of Paraguay beyond. For a few minutes, we imagined how it might have been for the Bembergs when they lived here, early in the 20th century: cocktails in the evening as the sounds of the jungle drifted up from the treetops. They had brought a new future to a province previously unlivable. They had created a town where none had existed before. They'd had a dream of sustainable economic and social development.

And now, it was happening again: the Posada reborn for a new generation of intrepid and respectful travelers, for those who appreciate both a good bottle of wine and the beauty of indigenous birdsong.

On a map of the surrounding area, you might see the town of El Dorado listed as further to the south - but we might argue that we found the mythical El Dorado with all its attendant claims to happiness at Posada Puerto Bemberg.

Listed on "Conde Nast Traveler's 2009 Hot List"

LINK: Posada Puerto Bemberg

____________________________________________________________________________

(Story continues on next page: Where to Eat, What to Do...)

WHERE TO EAT:

While dining at Posada Puerto Bemberg, you might find yourself serenaded by a harpist - or a trio of local musicians, all of whom perform and play at a respectful distance from the tables - and then seem to melt into the bookshelves when their performance is finished. It truth, it's enchanting - as is every meal in the dining room cum library at Posada Puerto Bemberg.

With a colonnaded veranda, cooled by fans, it's possible to dine al fresco, which is lovely indeed - and yet the interior space has one of the more hospitable atmospheres that we've encountered in a lifetime of public spaces. It might be the 2,500-volume, arts-and-literature library, curated by long-time Argentine book seller, Pablo Fierro, which lends such a warm feeling to every meal taken in this room - or perhaps it's the reclaimed timber, from buildings in Buenos Aires. The cumulative effect of this convivial setting while dining on Chef Joselina Hoffman's regional cuisine is to make one feel as if it's possible to come home again.

A meal might include indigenous delicacies such as caymay (alligator) or pacu, which is piranha's little cousin, alongside Chipa Misiones antipasto. Tropical fruit sauces burst with flavor, while yerbe mate ice cream is a subtle reminder of where you are. Wine choices are from La Cave, the posada's wine cellar, where the 1,600-bottle collection includes 60 labels from 20 native vineyards.

Head to La Cave for a nightcap - and admire the mural painted by Mendoza artist, Eduardo Hoffmann. We'll leave you to determine the connection between wine, food, and art.

LINK: Posada Puerto Bemberg

____________________________________________________________________________

WHAT TO DO:

Great Adventure and Ecological Tour, Iguaz� Jungle, Argentina:

In all likelihood, you have come to Iguaz� for one reason: the falls. Therefore, it's imperative that you get an early start and plan accordingly. First of all, buy the Green Passport, which provides access to both Great Adventure and Ecological Tour at Iguaz� Jungle.

Secondly, given the crowds, you might consider utilizing a tour guide for your time at Iguaz� Falls. A tour with a guide can insure easy access to the many splendors of the park - and provide you with hotel transfers, as well as tickets and translations. In short, a tour company such as Macuco Tours makes the day go more smoothly by taking care of all the details - leaving you to enjoy Mother Nature's magnificence.

Ecological Tour:
The Ecological Tour is a three-kilometer river ride down the Upper Iguaz� Delta. You climb into rubber rafts, wearing life jackets, and a guide paddles you through cane thickets and small inlets. Within ten minutes, you'll be in touch with your inner "African Queen" - although it's up to you whether you're Bogart or Kate. It's likely that you'll see alligators. It's also likely that the sun will enervate you - and your head might get heavy. Just don't fall backwards into the river. The end result might not be pretty. Instead, keep your eyes on the guide - and watch where he points to locate indigenous flora and fauna.

Great Adventure:
You will get wet. There's no way around it. You will, however, have stored all your valuables into waterproof rubber bags. Therefore, you can release your inner child and scream with delight as the speedboats zoom across the water, the prow lifting into the air as you hurl through two kilometers of white water rapids before swirling into the base of the waterfalls as the waters cascade down around you and over you and the boat. Watch your sunglasses; one of our party lost Roberto Cavallis. Not good. What is good is the thrill of it all; this is the sort of daredevil adventure ride that would never happen in the litigious States. And who doesn't wish to be baptized anew under the San Martin Waterfall, one of the largest in the world?

Afterward, wet and exhilarated, you'll climb 150 meters of stone stairs, to another vista where you can reach out and nearly touch the water while looking way down at the speedboats following the same route that you just survived.

Bring your parents. Bring your children. Bring a towel. This is one of those elemental thrills that gets your heart pumping - and makes you consider that maybe Tarzan had all the fun.

LINK: Iguaz� Jungle

Macuco Tours:
Gast�n Gonzalez
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (+54 3757) 491056

Posada Motorboat Tour on Parana River: Posada Puerto Bemberg has its own motorboat and pier. A sleek, white leather upholstered boat that evokes Italy and classic Cape Cod. Think JFK and Ari Onassis and Maria Callas. The pilot takes you along the Parana River, ultimately arriving at the base of a waterfall for a swim. You can also zip over to the river's other side and touch the shores of Paraguay, thereby visiting two countries in one afternoon. Drinks are provided - because what's a cruise in a speedboat without a smart cocktail? Wear a scarf and some Sixties shades - and channel your inner Callas.

Jungle Trek: Led by Posada Puerto Bemberg's naturalist and photographer, Emilio White, this journey through the jungle exposes you to a wide variety of trees, lianas, creepers, orchids, bromeliads - and perhaps a mammal or two. The primary objective, however, is to remind homo sapiens how to live in a respectful relationship with the native ecosystem - which befits Posada Puerto Bemberg's philosophy of sustainable economic and social development compatible with conservation.

Posada Puerto Bemberg's Native Plant Nursery: At more than 65,000-square feet, the Posada Puerto Bemberg's garden is both a native plant nursery and an organic fruit and vegetable garden. Produce includes mangoes, strawberries, raspberries, bananas, oranges, grapefruits, pineapples, lemons, limes, as well as parsley, scallion, chives, lemon thyme, rosemary, purple basil, curry, tarragon, hot pepper, shallot, red onion, purple bell peppers, eggplant, zucchini, beet, turnip, artichoke, yellow pear tomatoes, baby carrots, lemon verbena, and Roman chamomile. The plant nursery has 50 native species and guests of the posada are encouraged to donate a tree and plant it amongst the 14 deforested hectares.

Asado (Argentinean BBQ): If you're feeling a little colonial, you might consider an asado, which is an Argentinean barbeque, which, in this case, is hosted in the jungle by the Guatamb� stream. The Posada's kitchen and dining staff set everything up, including cutlery and crystal, and grill the food to your specifications, right in front of you. The river rolls behind you; the trees arch above you; birdsong fills the air. This is where you channel "Out of Africa" - and imagine yourself as Isak Dinesen. Oh, all right - Robert Redford then, or Meryl Streep. A feast in the jungle, it's a fantasy come true.

LINK: Posada Puerto Bemberg

____________________________________________________________________________

(Story continues on next page: Getting There...)

GETTING THERE:

The other week, we found ourselves downtown at a rather swell cocktail party, sponsored by LAN Airlines - and as we mingled our way toward the bar, it became increasingly clear to us that nearly every other New York-based LGBT travel professional was also in that room.

That's a testament to the verifiable success of the LGBT outreach that LAN Airlines has been conducting in recent years.

The spring edition of the "LAN Airlines Diversity Newsletter" acknowledged a number of LGBT accolades that the Chilean airlines had received, including a nomination by EDGE Media Network for "Favorite International Airlines", as well as a nod from Logo's "TripOut Gay Travel Awards." As the first Latin American airline to develop an LGBT advertising campaign, LAN was also an official sponsor of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) and the primary sponsor of San Francisco Pride in 2010.

One of LAN Airlines' newest ad campaigns trumpets the breadth of South America's eco-diversity with visual images of the continent's natural treasures interspersed with photos of its stunning LGBT population - all under a headline that reads, "Diversity Is In Every Corner of South America." Personally, we love the fact that we're right up there with the blue-footed boobies in terms of tourist appeal.

Founded in 1929, LAN Airlines is Latin America's leading international carrier - and given the increasing appeal of South America to the LGBT market, LAN is the perfect airline for that upcoming trip to IGLTA's 2012 convention in Florian�polis, as well as the World Cup 2014 in Brazil and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.

And now that LGBT people can marry in Argentina, what better way to fly there than on LAN Airlines???With five gateways in the United States and Canada, LAN flies to 50 destinations, including Buenos Aires, perhaps the "crown jewel" of LGBT destinations in Latin America, as well as Santiago, with its increasingly visible LGBT population, and Lima, Peru, home to an evolving and welcoming LGBT culture.? All of which is to say, LAN Airlines loves the gays - and if there was any doubt, LAN Airlines serves Louis Roederer Champagne in its Premium Business class.

Flying Premium Business on LAN means seats that recline completely, forming a bed 23 inches by 73 inches, on top of which is placed a snow-white duvet, along with a plush, full-size pillow, thereby insuring a restful sleep - without a single Ambien. Before sleep, however, there are a plethora of entertainment options and a three-course meal, served on white linens, with proper cutlery - and, what with the attentive service by a staff with the kind of grace and elegance that one associates with dancers from the American Ballet Theatre, it's entirely possible that sleep might be the last thing on your mind.???The point is, LAN Airlines knows and understands how we live and how we play - and they love to celebrate the good life with us. ??

LAN Airlines' new service between Lima, Peru and Iguaz�, Argentina makes it easier than ever for US travelers to visit the incredible waterfalls of South America. Previously, most travel to Iguaz� originated as far south as Santiago, Chile or Buenos Aires, but now travel time has been drastically cut with LAN Airlines' service from Lima to Iguaz�, which operates four days a week on A319s. Sit back and sip that bubbly - and toast to Iguaz�, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

LINK: LAN Airlines

LAN Diversity

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS: Capturing Iguaz� Falls, Argentina In Photos