As we travelled through Argentina, we met many wonderful people. They were usually very curious about our trip; how were we traveling, where we had been, what we had seen etc. They would usually also enquire about our future travel plans. When we mentioned that we would visit North Argentina at the end of the South American summer, we started to notice a worrying trend. Eyebrows would become raised or glances would always be sideways directed. “You know it gets very hot up there?”, or similar, would be the next line we were uttered. We usually answered in the same way, confirming our knowledge of the local weather patterns (which were vague at best), and then politely changing the topic.
Our arrival to the Brazilian city of Foz de Iguazu was pleasantly uneventful, parking up in a campsite right beside the storied Iguazu Falls. Temperatures were manageable, although we certainly did feel it warm and the air heavy. We spent the next few days visiting the waterfalls, one day from the Brazilian side and another from the Argentinian. We enjoyed both experiences, each unique and it was a real pleasure to see nature in full flow. The days were tough though, as the mercury continued to rise by the day.
Our last day in the city was the most challenging. What should have been the easiest, a 1km walk to a tree-covered aviary sanctuary, proved to be the hardest. As we struggled around the sanctuary seeing the amazing local rainforest birds, lacking energy and pumping sweat (literally), we asked ourselves what the issue was. Temperatures were barely above 30 degrees, warm from an Irish perspective, but something we are well used to after many summers in Spain. One of us then had the bright idea to check the humidity level as opposed to the temperature. Given the lack of a single cloud in the sky, I loaded the website with a mild indifference. To my amazement and embarrassment, it informed us that we were currently enjoying humidity of 91%!! Well, we were in the rainforest after all…
Leaving Foz de Iguazu in Brazil for Paraguay was a warm affair. Our beloved campervan has many many wonderful traits. One thing it does not have however is air conditioning in the drivers compartment. Usually this is not an issue, as open windows are natures clever answer. But as the mercury creeped towards 40 degrees that afternoon, this solution felt like it lacked completeness. We called it a day a few hours into Paraguay at a wonderful campsite owned by a resident German expat. Situated on the banks of Lago del Rio Yguazu, we were able to spend two days enjoying the lake to its fullest. I do really mean that, as being in the lake was the only possible way to manage, given the relentless daytime temperatures. Getting to sleep at night in the campervan was a challenge, given the only relative drop in overnight temperatures.
We then continued on the wonderful Ruta 2 highway across Paraguay. Completed in 2023, it is the only dual-carriageway in Paraguay, and connects Cuidad del Este in the east with the capital city of Asunción. Driving was now becoming a real test of wills. At one stage, I pulled into a service station and ordered everyone out of the campervan and into the air conditioned shop. To the absolute shock and delight of the children, I proceeded to order 4 soft drinks and 4 ice-pops for us all. I can honestly say that the hour we spent there was right up there with any other hour I can remember!
By the time of our arrival in Asunción that evening, we knew that something had to give. Temperatures had stayed above 40 degrees all day and we were all feeling the effects. To top that, overnight temperatures were not due to drop below 27 degrees. For those of you familiar with campervans, caravans or mobile homes, you will know that their not-so-clever design means that they retain heat in warm weather and expel it in cold conditions. Basically this means that when its hot outside, its even hotter inside (and vice versa). As such, we made the not so difficult decision to find a hotel for ourselves that night in the city. The $90 we spent for our secure parking, room, pool, breakfast and sacred air conditioning felt like a really worthy investment.
Click here to read the “A Week In The Heat (Part 2 of 2)” blog post
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