In the absence of roads and of course of aircraft, the only way to access these extraordinary falls, was the rise of the rio Paranà for about 1600km, first by train on 1100km, to Resistencia, then aboard a "balsa", a flat-bottomed steamer, over the remaining 500 km.
SEE bottom of page the story compared in images of a pleasure trip made a century later by Myriam Cordelle to the falls of Iguazu and Argentina
Louis, Helen and the 2 children left by train from Buenos Aires on 18 May 1909, arriving in Santa Fe (600 km away), leaving the following day to arrive in Resistencia (500 km further) in the evening.
They boarded a balsa on May 20, and arrived in Posadas (about 300km) on May 22. Left on May 24, they arrived at the falls on May 28, (200km further).
They stayed in Iguazù for two days, "hotel"
The most spectacular falls in the world, without comparison with Niagara Falls, were visited.
On the way back, they visited the ruins of the Jesuit missions in San Ignacio.
Other photos are visible by clicking: The rise of the Rio Paranà page 37641
The Falls page 37642
The Falls and Puerto Aguirre page 37643
The return by the Jewish ruins of San Ignazio page 37644
in front of the bridge that makes it possible to get closer to the falls, 28 May
The gateway with Helen, Jean (hand butterfly net), Suzanne next to the guide.
ruins of San Ignacio, Hélène and Suzanne, Mission territory, 31 May
in Resistencia, Jean, Suzanne and Helen
mules boarding on the balsa "Ibera", 24 May
General view of Iguazù Falls, 28May
On board the canoe, Suzanne, Helen and Jean, May 28
the rancho which serves as a hotel, in boards and corrugated sheet
the "balsa" in Puerto Flores, Paraguay
the "del diablo" and "el salto" Brazilian gorges, 28May
caravan on the "picada" (light), 29 May
Jean, Hélène and Suzanne, in front of the "hotel", May 28
in Puerto Aguirre
