At Victoria Falls!

Saturday, October 9

There are sculptures for sale next to the Jungle Junction restaurant:

We loved the zebra...but the freight home would be a killer!

After breakfast at the Jungle Junction, we met Moses and Leo and headed for Victoria Falls Park.  On the way, we stoppped a a baobab tree, which Moses said was around 1,500 years old:

This is one tree, and too big to capture with my lens!

Once in the park, we headed first to the end closest to the Victoria Falls Bridge, and then working our way back.  This is a slow time for water over the falls, and the side closest to Zambia has almost no water, as they are diverting it for hydroelectric power.  The side closest to Zimbabwe (where we were) does have more water, but less than usual.  Moses told us that, running full strength, the mist thrown up by the falls can be seen from 50 kilometers away.  Also during that time, you can’t avoid getting soaked, even in rain gear, and you can forget taking photos!

The falls were pretty impressive, even at the lower flow level…I can’t imagine what it would be going full bore!

The Victoria Falls bridge, connecting Zambia and Zimbabwe;

fabricated in England and transported here

for installation in 1905

Note the white water raft

Tourists!  Chuck is in the orange shirt.

Sarah, Moses, Chuck and Rita

Dr, Livingstone, I presume.

A rainbow at one of the sections of the falls

Monkey and baby - what she gets for monkeying around!

There were lots of birds, monkeys and other animals in the park…typical Africa!

Then it was back to the hotel for a brief stay, and we were scheduled for a river cruise and picnic lunch on an island starting at 12:00.  There was some delay – we didn’t know why – so Leo drove the bus through the part of Victoria Falls (the village) where he lives, to show us the market and other places.   We ultimately arrived at the boat and started our cruise.

Market in the village

As we arrived at the island, we saw Nico – the chef from yesterday – and Munya, another Victoria Falls Anytime representative that was also at our roadside picnic yesterday.  Our “picnic” lunch was served in the shade on the sandy island on a table covered by a tablecloth, and sitting in chairs, and consisted of beef wellington as the main course, along with several other delicious dishes.  Quite a surprise, and a nice treat!  Nico was assisted by his wife, Corrie (also known as "princess").

The captain gives his speech about life preservers, etc.

The reason lunch was delayed:  when Nico and crew came out by boat to set up lunch on the island they normally use, the picnic spot was full of elephants.  Being of sound mind, and wanting to stay of sound body, they opted to go to another island, thus the delay.  Where else could you use the excuse that you were delayed by elephants?  (That’s one that you can try, Bob.)

After lunch, Chuck tried his hand at fishing, but a backlash soon ended his fishing career in Zimbabwe.

We all piled on the boat for the trip back, and saw that the herd of elephants was still around the other island.  Persistent critters!  Here's a video:

Then back to the hotel.  Rita went to the spa, I showered and worked on the blog, Sarah went to the pool, Chuck caught up on a little rest.  We decided to have a light dinner on the terrace at the hotel, since we’ve done nothing but eat for the past two weeks!

Only two more nights on our southern Africa adventure (not counting the overnight flight from Jo-berg to Paris).  Bummer!