Living the Dream

Some years ago I visited Kenya and later Morocco and fell in love with Africa. Since then I have dreamed of returning and experiencing the south. Finally it is happening proving that dreams can come true.

After long hours of travel, we arrived in Zimbabwe known primarily as being home to Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall in the world. You can hear its noise and see its spray long before seeing it.

Dr. David Livingstone, a Scottish missionary and well known Africa explorer, was the first European to see the falls which he named after Queen Victoria.

Before seeing them in November 1855, Livingstone had heard of the falls. As he explored Africa from south to north, he came upon them after being paddled to an island now known as Livingstone Island. Because it was hidden by thick veils of spray, it was hard to catch more than a fleeting glimpse of the island this day.

April is a great time to visit Victoria Falls as it is the end of the rainy season that has filled the Zambezi River which feeds the falls. The abundance of water makes them incredibly powerful as evidenced by sprays of water that go high into the air. Our taxi driver said these were once called by the natives “smoke that thunders”. It is easy to see why that was an apt name.

Speaking of those sprays, if you don’t have some kind of rain gear you get completely drenched, but somehow that is not a bother thanks to the majesty and wonder of the experience.

Someone leaving the falls did give us a poncho and you can see who chose to wear it!

Every spray of water has its own unique character. Sometimes it is a momentary mist that hides everything from view.

Other times it catches sun rays in just the right way to create a rainbow.

This one was so close children thought they could reach out and touch it, maybe even find that promised pot of gold at its end.

Though crowded with visitors this day, Victoria Falls has not always been accessible in modern times because of political uprisings in Zimbabwe and Zambia. Since the 1990’s visitors have returned, and the two countries, separated by this bridge, have worked to develop tourism.

Though visited by people from all over the world, the greatest number of visitors are from Zimbabwe and Zambia. They were just as interested in capturing its wondrous beauty as I.

Getting to Zimbabwe from Houston, Texas, took the better part of two days so it has been wonderful to relax and recover at the historic Victoria Falls Hotel where traces of its colonial history remain.

I never dreamed of having high tea in this setting!

Tomorrow, refreshed and with new energy, the hubby and I begin a tent camp adventure in Botswana. Those will be the moments I’ve wished for. I can’t wait to tell you about it, but WiFi May be scarce. Until next time so long from Africa!

i so appreciate your visit and the comments you leave behind