Safari Day 11: On them, over them and around them - glad we didn't go under them!

Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

A busy schedule was planned for the day. We're and going around the Falls, over them and on them! Got all angles covered.

Exhilarating mist of Victoria Falls

Dealt with the basics first by itemising and filling the laundry bags. Chewed down on breakfast overlooking the pool and in #Magogo's absence, loaded into the taxis at 8.30 for transport to Victoria Falls.

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS

A. An easy drive - probably 5 minutes and alighted in the marketplace to access the entrance to the Falls. Plenty of raincoats on offer to keep the water at bay but a line up to get in because there was no staff member to take money. We were at the head of the queue and it was time to inravel our $1 junk shop ponchos that @Jude had recommended we pack.

The crew, ready for the out and back loop

This was an out and back trail, well signposted, with regular vantage points to take in the majesty and the sheer power of the Falls. So much water and the mist and spray from the largest curtain of water in the world actually creates its own microclimate and in particular segments  supports a rainforest.

Feel the power!

We had skipped the Zimbabwean guide and opted to tap into @Louis expertise. Was hoping we could keep up with him as he'd already been for a morning run and dived into the freezing pool for a cool down. He did say it was warmer this morning than last night's dip.

Definitely the right call because for the next 2 hours @Louis stepped us along with his endless knowledge and enthusiasm. Started by removing his hat at the base of the imposing statue of David Livingston and piquing our curiosity of this explorer's journeys. Another research project and biography reading when I get home. Reeled off the stats on the Falls, identified the plants, told stories and kept us bubbling along.

@Louis and his guide hero

There's really no better way to experience this. It was a curtain of white power. Relentless surging, broiling, swirling and thundering water. As the mist rose in the air, the wind would catch it and sheets of water eddied and swirled and poured over you in waves.

I've just deleted dozens of random facts that I collected on the walk - but the most important take away here is that the might and power of Victoria Falls is something that must be experienced first hand.

Thoroughly enjoyed all the vantage points of The Falls.

B. Back in the taxis (we need to take 2 to accommodate the crew) its back up the hill to Amadeus to meet up with our Wild Horizons bus for transport to the helipad. We've walked it - now time to fly over it. Unfortunately, we missed our booking time! Quite relieved that their team were generous enough to reschedule us in their lunch break.

All aboard the bus and back to town and set up in Marula Cafe in a perfect town life vantage point Discovered their take on a cappuccino- which included a shot (how do you get that last drop of Amarula out of the shot glass - lick it of course.) Threw in a fast zip around the shops and markets (don't buy in the big smoke - my $10 item at Matopos was $35 here.)

Doing it right, having it all.

And then #take2 - definitely not late this time. Safety briefing, weigh in (Oh dear, blaming the extra layers, the boots and the handbag) and before we were even thinking about it, we were buckled in and headset hooked in, enclosed in a bubble and were off for our own flight of angels.

The weigh in was scarier than the flight 

@Mac took in the 13 minute flight in the smaller chopper with @Gill and @Roz and I joined the NZ foursome and @Louis and squeezed up against the brave but unsure @Del. So glad she was up there snatching furtive views of the unfolding grandeur of the Falls from above.

Thumbs up, sick bags and fears conquered

The Falls from above

C. Lots of recaps and chatter and before we knew it we had regrouped, rugged up and lathered up with the insect repellent, ready for the coach pickup for the sunset cruise on the Zambezi. It is affectionately known as "the booze cruise." A double decker vessel, set up with tables and chairs for viewing offered with finger food and bottomless drinks. That red rock that tumbles to the horizon so quickly is the number 1 draw card - but Captain Romeo found us wallowing hippos as a secondary treat.

I took 374 photos accompanied by a coke - not sure @Mac had the same count on either his photos or his coke+rum count. I am tempted however, to say that @Marg was the over achiever on the photo count - she had 2 lenses fired up and was glued to her view finder. @Tom has become the unofficial master of the video and the panoramic shots. They are glorious.

Lucky I was able to cull that photo count!

Have to share that we did offer a little prayer of thanks to start the cruise. @Louis is reliably meticulous every time we leave a vehicle or venue. "Please check. Have you got all your belongings? Bags, phone, passport, money." And dutifully we all pat, unzip, rezip and check." And yes - invariably there's a scurry and a flurry accompanied by a racing heart -  I lost my phone in Gwango had everyone looking and it was in my back pocket, @Mac had down a pat down and his phone was missing from his pocket - it had slipped out of one of the rough safari drives -  @Gill had similar with hers eventually located in her side pocket, @Del left her handbag on a chair at dinner - @Tom was even momentarily separated from his phone when it slipped behind the seats in the back of the mini bus  ... so we know it happens and appreciate the reminder.

Up until tonight, @Louis hadn't lost anything (except maybe his sanity keeping us all on track,) But he did get a turn tonight. Left his phone on the bus. Now that was a potential catastrophe because it had all the details and contacts for the trip. Thank goodness for the integrity of the bus driver. He spotted it right on the seat and took the time to return it to the boat - lucky @Louis - lucky us.

So that was our 360 of Victoria Falls - and every view was spectacular.

D. Rounded out the night with a good dinner experience (with 200 other guests) at the Chief's Boma. OMG, a carnivore's delight. Wall to wall meat (complete with a splayed pig on a spit), buffet salads, soups, veggies and dessert in a massive venue with plenty of artwork and artefacts, music and dancing AND mopane worms.

Pre-show warmups before the worms. @Steve's face was priceless but he got there in the end.

Think Outback Spectacular" - but the African version. When you arrive you are presented with a cloth sari and a daubed tattoo of face paint as a welcome which is tied over your clothing (maybe a smarter way of putting a bib on you for dinner.) @Roz and @Del were right into it and jumped on in to dance with the welcoming band! Looked good - think they had been waiting for just the right moment to bust out a move.

Once inside it's all action - including tasting the African delicacy the mopane worm. If you chow down you even get a certificate.

Who could resist? Not us. Buoyed on by the guy in front of us who asked for a second one - we had a go. It was chewy but really quite tasteless. Think it was more mind over matter. @Steve was priceless. Got there in the end - but his face contorted into a whole new recorr number of "this is disgusting" poses. Made for great photos.

We grazed and browsed and sampled as much as we could thinking that a 2 hour walk from early in the day would compensate for overeating - while completely ignoring the earlier shock of the helicopter weigh in.

Took advantage of the wandering face painter and you were invited to nominate your favourite animal for a face decoration. Plenty of choices from the animal kingdom but @Steve was steadfastly loyal to #Magogo and the brand - and opted instead for the Toyota symbol! This was a really clever little add on earn - the gentleman was so fast transferring the paint from the pallet and everyone at our table - and most others - was interested.

Monkey business for @Mac and @Steve stole the show ... again ...

More action followed dinner with the interactive drum show. All audience members were issued a drum, and led ny the musicality of our very own members of t h e award winning Christchurch City Choir members @Marg and @Del we smashed and bashed out rhythms for the next 30 minutes. Loads of fun. And I'm sure our group won the audience drum-off challenge.

Homeward bound and dizzy from meat, alcohol amd a good time it was home to clean laundry and another round of packing. I really wanted to keep my wild dog tattoo on my face, but the steam of the shower melted it into a black running mess. Is it possible that I am a tattoo convert?

 Love these two day stays and have a promise of a sleep in tomorrow.

Accommodation 

Steps: 17. 835


Wildlife spotting

Declared today a non recording day of the plants and animals that @Louis shared - we were on the run and I was in the moment

Hippos: walk on sand banks, spurting water, keep sand churned up. Underwater  baby 45 seconds adult 6 minutes - can't swim - very, very dangerous - tusks forward and back on lower jaw - 2000 deaths per year