By Jason Heidemann for the Orbitz Travel Blog
Don't go chasing waterfalls. So sang TLC in 1994 in a song that cautioned against making bad life choices. Of course, if the song were referring to actual waterfalls the sentiment would've been just the opposite. After all, who doesn't derive absolute wonder from seeing water spouting, gush and cascading from great heights, and tumbling into a lake, river or gorge below to create an uninterrupted humming noise that could cure even the worst insomnia. Here are 5 beautiful waterfalls that will blow your mind.
Akaka Falls: Big Island, Hawaii
Say aloha to what is perhaps the Aloha State's most justly famous waterfall. Akaka plummets 442 feet into a stream-eroded gorge. It is also easily accessible to visitors as it's located only 11 miles from Hilo--the largest city on the Big Island and third largest in the state--and just a short hike through a tropical rainforest once inside Akaka Falls State Park. Isn't she gorgeous?
Angel Falls: Canaima National Park, Venezuala
Size does matter. Just ask anyone who's marveled in awe at this record-shattering stunner which has the distinction of being the world's highest uninterrupted waterfall, with a plunge of 2,48 feet and looks like it's straight out of the land before time. It's a bit of a hike--no pun intended--to reach the falls which are only accessible via river trips between June and December.
Gulfoss: Haukadalur, Iceland
If you visit Reykjavik via a weekend layover on Iceland Air, you will almost certainly find yourself booking a quickie tour to the country's so-called Golden Circle, a trio of natural attractions within striking distance of the capital city including Strokkur geyser, Thingvellir National Park and the breathtaking waterfall Gulfoss. A canyon waterfall, Gulfoss is viewed from above and looks like a river at first glance. Closer inspection reveals a three-step staircase that plunges in two stages and leaves spectators breathless.
Iguazu Falls: Misiones, Argentina and Parana, Brazil
Perhaps the most spectacular waterfalls on earth, these captivating fountains of water of the Iguazu River are the capstone to any visit to South America and often raved about as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Most of the river flows through Brazil while most of the falls cascade on the Argentinian side. Both countries offer accessible tourism including the Rainforest Ecological Train from Argentina and from Brazil, a canyon walkway to the base of Devil's Throat and helicopter tours over the falls.
Kaieteur Falls: Potaro River, Guyana
The world's widest single drop waterfall is higher than both Niagara Falls in North America and Victoria Falls in Africa. Located in the Amazon, Kaieteur flows powerfully at a rate of 23,400 cubic feet per second and is reached via a plane ride from Georgetown to a nearby airstrip. The brownish water looks like pollution, but in fact occurs naturally when tannin from rain forest leaves dissolves.
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