ZIMBABWAE, Travel Day

January 3, 2013

Will be leaving Fawlty Towers Hostel and Livingstone, Zambia at 10 am on the free shuttle to the Park. From there it is a short walk to the Zambia/Zimbabwae bridge where the bungee jumping is located and where I will enter Zimbabwae. Either a 20 minute walk or short taxi ride depending on the price and I will be in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwae. I will be meeting Absolute Africa overland truck safari at Shoestring Backpackers where I will spend the night and meet all the people already on the tour. No more soft bed for the next 21 days. Not really much of a camper but will endure it due the cost and accessibility one gets by camping in the parks in Botswana and Namimbia. Will not have much internet access for the next 21 days. It is going to be a very special trip I believe with lots of animal sightings.   

Little sad saying bye to Fawlty Towers as backpackers get a feeling of home when we stay in one place for a while.

ZAMBIA, Victoria Falls, Ultralight flight

Ultralight flight over Victoria Falls

January 2, 2013

Up early at 6 am to get ready for the 7am Ultralight flight over Victoria Falls. I was there today because my Dec. 31st flight had to be rescheduled due to rain. Unfortunately, the price increased by $14 on January 1st. Theflight was really amazing and provided some really great views of the Falls. The flight was only 15 minutes but it seemed very long. I never got completely comfortable but it was not too bad. There was only a single belt over my lap which surprised me. I expected to be totally strapped in. The flight was $170 and the pictures were an additional $22. Two splurges in 2 days of the New Year but 2 AMAZING EXPERIENCES.

ZAMBIA, Victoria Falls (Devil's Pool or Devil's Armchair)

South & AFRICA

Victoria Falls (Devil's Pool or Devil's Armchair)

January 1, 2013  Happy New Years

Went to Livingstone Island on a tour for breakfast and swim in the Devil's Pool. ($70)  I took the FREE hostel shuttle to the hotel and realized when I got there I had forgot my money and camera. Luckily I was the only one in the shuttle and the driver agreed to take me back to the hostel and then again to the hotel. Luckily, I still made it back in time to catch the boat to the very small island at the edge of Victoria Falls. The view of the Falls was spectacular and we were told that this is the perfect time to see and swim since the water level was high but not high enough to completely cover the island as it will in a few more days. We had to SWIM in the rapids to get to the staging point. The current is very strong and only strong swimmers are allowed. They have one guide near the Falls in case some one is not a strong enough swimmer to handle the rapids.   

The guide did a back flip first into the pool. I jumped 3rd and quickly was looking for a rock to hold on to. The current is not as strong there but still strong enough to feel it pushing you towards the edge. After a while and some pictures, they threw a rope to us so we could pull ourselves back to safety. 

Great breakfast of Eggs Benedict, Scones, Biscuits and Jam and Juice to finish off our day after receiving our certificates. Ultralight tomorrow.

SOUTH AFRICA, Johannesburg and ZAMBIA, Livingston

December 26-27th, 2012

Arrived in Johannesburg around 5:45 pm after a 15.5 hr. direct flight from Atlanta. Either the longest direct flight or tied for it in the world. I got South African money (Rand), collected my bags and called the Shoestring Airport Lodge to pick me up. I am only 1.5 miles from the airport which is convenient since I fly to Livingston, Zambia tomorrow to visit Victoria Falls. I will stay there until Jan. 4th and then go with African Trails on a 21 day Overland Truck Safari. Not sure how camping for that long will sit with me.  Victoria Falls below on flight to Livingston, Zambia.