There are three waterfalls on Earth that are generally considered to be in a class by themselves. Many Americans are familiar with Niagara (although we have actually never been), and observant readers of this blog will remember Iguazu Falls between Brazil and Argentina. The third great waterfall is Victoria Falls, on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia.
In south-central Africa, we are just at the end of the rainy season, so the falls are quite powerful at the moment. All of our photos were taken through heavy mist, and all of our clothes were soaked through.
We spent the better part of a morning trying to determine whether there was actually a bottom to Victoria Falls.
That night, we went to a dinner feast called the Boma, filled with music, dancing, and traditional costumes.
We were also invited to sample different types of meat, and we said “No Worries” and went for it.
The next morning, we felt judging eyes and heard grumpy snortles as we walked through the camp.
We also found out that any leftover meat from the Boma is saved and then left outside at precisely 1:00pm. The local vultures have become well aware of this tradition, and swarm by the hundreds.
That night, we took a sunset cruise on the Zambezi river, just above the falls.
The sunset, like all African sunsets, was stupendous.
Since the river was so beautiful, we decided it would be a nice idea to go kayaking the next morning. As experienced kayakers, we tuned out most of the instructional briefing until they got to “If a hippo lifts your kayak out of the water, swim away as fast as possible and hope the hippo attacks the boat. Also, swim fast because the crocodiles will probably chase you once you’re in the water.” And with that, we became the world’s best hippo spotters.
After surviving the kayaks, we were off to Botswana, where the signs are handmade and the rules are always followed (notice the multiple pieces of litter directly below the sign):
After all that activity, we need a break, so we are going to lie down in the shade like this lazy guy.
– Phil & Jessie
Katz 