“When Awasi invited me to participate in the Awasi Artist Immersion programme, I didn’t realise the magnitude of what I would experience.”

For Fabiano Al Makul, renowned Brazilian photographer, poet and musician, staying at Awasi Iguazú in Northern Argentina to participate in the Awasi Artist Immersion programme was a step in to the unknown.

Guided by chance

Surrounded by lush Atlantic Rainforest, indigenous communities and the iconic Iguazu Falls themselves, the region soon proved inspiring and evocative in equal measure.

“The force of the Falls brought me to a level of energy that I have rarely felt in my entire life” he remembers, struck by the power of nature when viewing the magnificent cascades for the first time. 

To fully immerse himself in the sights, sounds, smells and textures of Iguazu, Fabiano let himself be led by his senses. “I chose to be guided by “chance”, which is perhaps the main characteristic of my artistic approach.” said Fabiano.

Lost in the green light

On visiting the Yacui private reserve, he immersed himself in the abundant forest of the Iguazú National Park.

Just 15% of the original Atlantic Rainforest remains, but it is still an extraordinarily rich habitat for a host of endemic plants and animals, plenty of which have only been discovered in the past few decades.

Fabiano’s first trip in to the forest was intended to be a photography outing, a way to capture the essence of the Misiones region through his camera lens.

But with fading light and lengthening shadows, the conditions did not lend themselves to photography. Fabiano instead used the moment to pause and take in the surroundings; “the silence led me to an absolute state of contemplation.”

A beautiful exchange

During his stay, Fabiano visited the Guaraní community. Suffering from a bad cold, Guaraní Chief Lídio offered him ambay, a medicinal plant used in a tea that swiftly eased his symptoms.

This moment of connection led to the two men sharing a “beautiful musical exchange”.

Fabiano noticed that Chief Lídio was using a guitar with only five strings, tuned to form a simple chord. By not using their left hand on the frets, the Guaraní musicians created songs with the simplest harmony possible. “Music became a powerful presence.”

Inspired, Fabiano tuned his cavaquinho (a small four-stringed Portuguese guitar) in the same way, allowing him to sing and play in harmony with Lídio and other members of the tribe.

Chamamé in Misiones

When Fabiano is present, music will be too. He played sambas, and listened to the chamamé of Chango Spasiuk, an Argentine folk artist from Apostoles, near to Awasi Iguazu, as they explored Misiones.

“I deeply resonated with Awasi’s own musical selection, which motivated me to contribute by recommending some Brazilian songs that touch my soul” Fabiano recollects.

Fabiano chose to finish his journey by visiting the Jesuit Ruins of San Ignacio.

The Jesuits arrived in the region in the early 17th Century to convert Guarani communities to Christianity, building vast stone settlements deep in the jungle to support their efforts. Today, their ruins are slowly being reclaimed by the forests that surround them, an evocative and atmospheric reminder of Europe’s earliest contact with the New World.

“Not just to see the ruins themselves”, Fabiano explains, discussing his trip to the Jesuit mission, “but to explore the Province of Misiones in its entirety — its architecture, the people, and the vast nature, which would help me understand the experience as a whole.”

Meticulous Care

“The bonds we formed and the meticulous care given to every detail by everyone involved will stay with me for ever” said Fabiano, remembering his trip to Awasi Iguazu with fondness. “I would like to thank the entire Awasi team, who were exceptional from the very first moment I was greeted by my guide Ismael”.

Fabiano stayed at Awasi Iguazú, our 14 villa Relais & Chateaux hotel in Northern Argentina. Each villa is built on stilts in the forest sloping down to the River Iguazu. Boasting their own terrace and plunge pool, guests can enjoy uninterrupted views across the forest canopy.

At all of our Awasi properties, in Iguazu, the Atacama desert, and Chile’s Torres del Paine in Southern Patagonia, guests are assigned their own private guide and vehicle, allowing for a fully bespoke, immersive experience.