After enduring 35 hours on a bus ride across Argentina, Martin Seychell had high expectations for the waterfalls straddling its border with Brazil.

At the start of my second South American tour, I told myself visiting the Iguazu Falls on the Argentina-Brazil border would be a priority.

So after exploring the wonders of the Andes and Chile, I arrived in Mendoza in western Argentina and spent my first night chilling in the wine city that is home to the country’s famous Malbec.

Prepared for the 35-hour, cross-country bus trip, I set off to the town nearest to the falls, Puerto Iguazu, on the next evening, a Monday.

I could have gone by aeroplane, but this would have meant missing the spectacular views on the way.

So, I basically lived for a day-and- a-half on a bus with breakfast, lunch and dinner included, stopping to pick up people while taking the opportunity to disembark, stretch out and breathe some fresh air.

It was the most awesome, deafening and dampening experience

Travelling east to Cordoba, Rosario and Posada, I came across magnificent countryside views, cattle, impressive roads and a variety of bus stations.

However, the further north the bus carried me, the rainier and more variable the weather became.

In fact the region’s climate is more tropical and I noticed its extremely red soil.

Finally arriving in Puerto Iguazu on Wednesday afternoon, I jumped off the bus and went to the terminal to sort out accommodation.

My chosen B&B was basic but centrally located, with a quick access to the bus station as my mission was to use the town as a base to explore both sides of the falls.

I spent the first day orienting myself with the town, enjoying a walk around and organising my visit to the Brazilian side of the waterfalls.

There was no sense of community in Puerto Iguazu, as most of the people were there to visit the waterfalls. It barely felt like Argentina.

First thing the following morning, I had a quick breakfast, grabbed the map and took the first bus (35 minutes) to the city Foz do Iguaçu on the Brazilian side. We had to stop for a passport check when crossing the border, though the immigration authorities do not stamp passports for day visitors only.

Arriving at the waterfalls, I bought a ticket and boarded a double-decker bus that dropped us off right in front of a breath-taking experience, one of the major highlights of South America.

The sound of the waterfalls made me suddenly connect with the ambience and enjoy the experience.

I followed the Trilha das Cataratas: a scenic, one-kilometre trail leading to the Garganta del Diablo (devil’s throat), where the Iguazu River makes its most dramatic plunge, spitting into dozens of falls.

A catwalk extends right through the currents and enables visitors to get a close-up view: an amazing opportunity to feel the falls’ power.

I kept an eye open for large lizards passing by, as well as coatis, toucans and different kinds of butterflies.

While the Brazilian side provides a grand overview, in Argentina the waterfalls are more numerous and catwalks reach closer to the spray.

Early the next morning I went back on the Argentinian side, arriving before the crowds to enjoy some tranquillity, and see the falls called Salto San Martin, Salto Bossetti, Salto Alvar Numez, Salto Dos Hermanas and Salto Escondido.

Yet I found that the more dramatic view of the Garganta del Diablo from Argentina was still the most awesome, deafening and dampening experience, which will stay with me for a lifetime.

It was certainly worth the journey.