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Vic Falls - Zimbabwe
More Vic Falls - Zimbabwe side
Heading across the bridge to Zimbabwe, or Zimmie, as some locals call it, we were met at the border, by "Sam the man," a entrepreneurial taxi driver, sightsee tour operator and anything else you needed, if you can find him. This side of the falls, is much more developed for tourists visiting Victoria Falls. They have traditional drums and dancing at some of the restaurants and even a casino?! Oy. Lots of touts selling their stone and wood carvings as well as billions, yes, billions of Zimmie dollars for a US dollar as souvenirs. Why the money? To our pleasant surprise, the currency here is US dollars..... so the former Zim money is worthless, unless you buy it for a dollar!
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| Expand pic. Recognize 2nd dancer from left?! |
Our first and only weekend in Zimbabwe, was full of walking to the Vic Falls bridge, checking out activities, swimming, eatting and showering a few times a day. We are staying at a Rest camp, where we meet our tour in a few days. "Camp" includes platform tents with 2 beds, small chalets, like the one we are staying at, and more tradtional rooms as well as a campsite to pitch tents (which is how our tour starts). Showers and bathrooms are a few steps away. We are enjoying the pool and relaxing prior to the rigors we will have on our tour. Since we are in the national park, you can expect to see monkeys and even a warthog, crossing in front of reception! No wonder they don't want us walking alone at night!? We were told hippos and elephants even stop by on occasion!
First Zimbabwe activity was unplanned. We were on the Vic Falls bridge looking at the bungy jump platform, when 2 women, one wearing a traditional muslim headscarf, asked me if I would go on one of the zip line activities with her since her male and female companions would not. Hmmmmm. Sally, was from Sudan and was leaving to return to Sudan in 2 hours. "This is my last chance", said the 38 year old medical doctor, who we later learned, was here on a public heath mission. How could I refuse? Actually, Aaron and I were going to "think about" tandam zip lining, but he was getting hesitant and suggested, she would be doing him a favor as I would be doing her one! Unfortunately, there is a weight limit for tandam, which neither she nor Aaron plus me, met, sooooooooooo, off Sally and I went to get harnessed up for solo zips! I cannot tell you how exhilarating, but far too short a time, it was to zip across the gorges at Victoria Falls. Yep, the same ones I mentioned earlier! What a rush. Finished up the weekend eatting Thai food, cooked by a woman from Bangkok. How she settled here remains a question as we see so few Asians living or traveling here. Maybe during high season?
Before we join our Intrepid tour group, we decided to do one more adrenaline activity we always enjoy. White water rafting on the Zambezi! Rapids are mostly 4s and 5s. We thought we were going "chicken" rafting, where the guide does most of the manuevering as the other option is to likely flip, be thrown, and land who knows where, but be able to talk about it! Video is pretty cool as well. Unfortunately for us, there were not enough "chickens" but we decided to go on the regular raft anyway. It was an absolute thrill, we did'nt tip or fall out, but man, did we get wet on the ride!
To the lead guide's credit, we were on his raft and didn't flip. We had a blast and now know what REAL 5's are like! Thanks to Hippo and Morgan for taking such good care of us. Next time, we need to understand just what "hiking down and back up the gorge" means. The hike up after a few hours rafting and the sun, was perhaps the toughest part of the trip! We are still feeling it as I write 2 days later!
Met our fellow travelers this evening. 7 folks over 50 and 7 between 25 and 45. Not a bad mix and lots of combined world travel experience. We spent a few hours on the Zim side of the Victoria Falls. It was like David meets Goliath as far as the strength and flow of the water on this side vs. Zambian side. Talk about waterfalls, and this is considered low season! Pictures say it all.
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| Expand pic. Devil's Pool -where you can Lean over the falls from natural swimming hole. Crazy wild, but we passed. |
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| Fawn hangin out near edge of falls |
NEXT POST: TBD
As we head out with Intrepid, our tour group, we have no idea what wifi options we will have and even if we do, how strong or consistent they will be. Much of the time we will be driving, camping, and in National parks. So, be well, stay tuned to hear from us in about 2.5 -3 weeks from Cape Town, after we visit the wilds of Botswana, Namimbia and South Africa! Big 5 here we come! Happy October.
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