We left Northrise at 7:15 to head out to the airport. Our flight was schedule to leave for Lusaka at 8:45 as we headed to see Victoria Falls at Livingstone. We left on time and spent about two hours in the capital of Zambia, Lusaka and left for Livingstone at 12:15. The flight was about an hour. At the airport in Livingstone we were met by Doreen and then whisked to the Zambezi Sun Hotel which is amazing. The girls ditched us and then Christine and I went to look at Victoria Falls together. In Zambian it is called Mosi-o-tunya. Smoke and Thunder. We also hiked all the way down to the Zambezi River to see the Boiling Pot where all the waters converge. Here is the bad news. The internet is terrible and there will be only brief reports and No photos until our return.
Livingstone, I Presume. At around 1:30 when we arrived at the Livingstone airport where we were greeted by Doreen. There has been some confusion about how to pronounce the name Livingstone. It looks like it should be pronounce “Living + stone” but then I have always heard it pronounced “Living + stun.” I am happy to report that after listening to the Zambians say it that even through their English accents that the “Living + stun” pronunciation is the best way to say it.
Zambezi Sun Hotel. Once we arrived at the Zambezi Sun Hotel we were greeted by four guys dressed it tribal clothing or lack there of who performed for us. Alex, Zoe, and Tasha went over and they dressed them up for a quick photo.
It didn’t take long for us to get into our room, 3245 which was quite beautiful. Out our balcony you can hear Victoria Falls and even see some of the mist. We are told that many animals will come right up to the grass area below. Also to be sure and keep your sliding glass door closed or the monkeys will come into your room when you leave.
We were told the it was best if you borrowed a rain coat from the hotel as it gets quick wet from the mist but when we got there they only had one so we heading for the falls with out any.
Victoria Falls! It was probably only a quarter mile or so walk to the falls and we had to pass through a gate as we left the hotel grounds and sign out. It is had to describe in words how impressive the falls are. The sound and the mist mixed with the rock and trees and blue sky were incredible. The rock paths were great but there were no guard rails anywhere. One slip and you could fall over the cliff’s edge into the drink No ADA in Africa. As we did not have the aforementioned raincoats, we only went part way into the viewing area but still it was stunning.
From there we walked above the falls and saw where the Zambezi River flows into the falls.
Down to the Boiling Pot. Next we located the little market area we had heard about where they sell all kinds of stuff but I saw a sign and without too much thought we decided to descend the 600+ yards to the Boiling Pot at he bottom of the gorge where the water from the falls meets back with the river. The hike was pretty intense heading down rocks and steps that at times were pretty steep. We finally did make it and sat at the bottom looking up at the bridge where the bungee jumping takes place. We thought we might die on the climb back out but we took our time and it really wasn’t that bad. The worst part of the whole trip was that we both had to use the restroom almost the entire way.
Once we made it back we decided not to go into the market but instead went back to the room. I left Christine there and went and used the internet and asked the desk people about all the possibilities of what there was to do. From helicopter rides to elephant rides to tours on Segways there really is a ton of fun stuff to try. You just have to have lots of money.
Sunset at the Livingstone Hotel Deck. When I got back to the room I hustled up Christine and we headed over toward the Livingstone Hotel (the more amazing five star property) and their outdoor deck where everyone recommended you go to watch the sun set. On the way there we ran into little Harry Sexton and he showed us the giraffe he had just seen. We walked over to the deck with the Stroupe clan and although the sun had just gone down it was still incredible beautiful. We found Zoe and Tasha and Brooke there and another large group of our folks too. We had a glass of wine and enjoyed watching what was left of the light, the river and the five hippos we could see off in the distance.
Sumptuous Dinner Buffet. Soon it was 6:30 and nearly complete dark so we wandered back over to our hotel for dinner. It was an amazing buffet with tons of great choices. I actually had crocodile (tastes like chicken) and some great stir fry although the pizza was just OK. There must have been about 50 different desserts but the best was the ice cream. We sat with the Jacksons and had a great time together. Linda is a pediatrician and Gary is a handyman and the boys are Garrett and singing, bundle of energy Alex.
After dinner we talked for a while with Lisa, Maxie, Adam and Lindsay and then walked back over to the business center for some free internet and then headed back to the room. We were able to catch a little bit of the Tour and then it was bed time after a long and amazing day.
Blessed to hear you are well and all survived the bungi jumping.
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