Zimbabwe

FROM HOME TO ZIMBABWE.

16TH April to 20th April
Spent our first night out of White River, with very special friends, Francois and Vic’s. Gave us a special send off. Thank you both. Spent a night just before the Beitbridge border.
As all big borders go I can do without them. (Fellow travellers, a little advice, don’t take the runner to help you, this could be very expensive!!). This is the beginning of Africa and we need to learn patience. The roads to Victoria Falls, really still quite good, don’t have a lot of traffic so you can just enjoy. Closer to Vic Falls the area is very green and very thick.
Found quite a good site at Victoria Falls Lodge and camped out and chilled. Our first drink did not touch sides. Sunday we found a church, and enjoyed the music and singing to the sound of drums. Mostly all in English beside some of the hymns.
Walked onto the bridge which goes over to Zambia. The falls are so high that most of the way all you see is mist and rain. The sound is unbelievable and sleeping at night, you could be at the sea with waves crashing on the rocks. Wolf did a helicopter ride so we could get some photos, only way, as the spray is so much you can’t see much.
Coffee at the Victoria Falls hotel ($8) still brings you back to the Colonial Days.(but almost empty.) Lots of Staff and very friendly.
Filled the car with fuel, found that all is not so bleek, you can get fuel/diesel and this cost us $1 per lt.
INTO ZAMBIA
What a pleasure, half hour border crossing, with the most helpful friendly officials
We are camped on the Zambezi, at the Zambezi Waterfront Resort. First things first had a “Mosi” (beer) and Savanah overlooking a fast running Zambezi. (Tom & Chandy, we always think of you when this comes first)
For fellow traveller, we purchased a COMESA third party here in Livingstone which covers you for third party for all African Countries taking some of the hassles and costs at each border post.
We did a walk to the falls on the Zambian side, the start you can see a nice portion fairly clearly but, from there on right across the Knife Edge Bridge which goes over the Zambezi River, it is totally misty and the spray is worse than a Johannesburg Thunderstorm. We were like drowned rats, but what fun, we laughed like school kids.

HIGHLIGHT: To see the Falls at this high point, the highest, it has been in years. The locals here say, 8mts higher that usual after the rains.
LOWLIGHT: Beitbridge Border post & the poverty on the streets.