Forever grateful

I can’t believe the adventure/trip of a lifetime is over already!

Omg, it took months to plan and work out the logistics but it seemed to be over almost a few days after we got here.

But really I am looking at it from the wrong perspective, for in less than three weeks, I experienced things that had previously been distant dreams.

Like seeing the magnificent Victoria falls which defies imagination, seeing a huge assortment of animals operating in their natural environment, visiting Robben island and walking the king of beasts. 

I really can’t believe I did it all in such a short time!

There is no way any of this could have happened without Wendy. 

She told us where to go, where to stay, how to travel and was in constant touch to ensure that we didn’t fall by the wayside. (We did though, despite her best efforts 😊, but that’s life.)

It was a fateful day when I overheard my daughter speaking to her and thought I heard that she was living in Lesoto.

Kids playing football at Rhys’ and Nyah’s school 

Immediately afterwards I called and asked if I could visit her. That’s when she told me she was not in Lesoto but Zambia.

 Never mattered to me seriously though which country she was in.  

I just wanted the opportunity to visit the motherland once again😊.

When she said I could come, I was on cloud nine and now,  the rest is history.

Hanging out with Bolt while waiting to go to airport.

As we are leaving later today, Wendy picked us up and while she worked on-line, we hung out at her home before heading to the airport.

She took a break and we went with her to pick up the kids and see a bit of their school.

Secret Service planning the route for USA VP’s  visit later in the day.

Kamala Harris is here today, and while we weren’t there for her arrival later in the day, we saw preparations being made.

Incidentally, the food in Zambia is very similar to ours and that is another reason why I felt so at home there.

A very favorite dish of all Zambian’s is Nshima. It’s made from corn and as a lover of our own turned corn meal, I had hoped it was the same thing, just by another name.

Nshima

It isn’t and I never liked it when I had it at a restaurant in Livingstone, but when Wendy’s helper Ruth cooked it, I went for seconds!😋

I don’t know how we can ever repay Wendy for this has been the trip of a lifetime and here we are at her home, heading shortly to the airport. 

Yup all good things must come to an end but the memories will last forever.

A wonder indeed

There are times when it is impossible to find the words to describe the magnificence around you.

I had that problem as I was enveloped by the awesome beauty of Mosi-oa-Tunya aka Victoria Falls. 

As usual, the British had accidentally run into it, but immediately claimed they “discovered “ it and named it after their queen.

The real name aptly describes it however, as it means “ the smoke that thunders.”

And that’s exactly what happens, as the mist (smoke) can be seen from miles away and the sound of the rushing waters are heard from up to 25 miles away.

This pic was taken miles away, but the mist (left) is clear and the cloud on the right is said to be always there.

In and out of the region, there is debate about whether it is better from the Zambian or Zimbabwe side, but in my book if you don’t see both sides you are the loser! 

rainbows are ever present 

The Zambia side is 1.7 km wide and Zimbabwe side just short of 2km.

 This is almost double the width of both sides of Niagara Falls. 

The Falls dump enough water into the Indian Ocean, to fill 1800 Olympic size swimming pools per minute. 

It boggles the imagination.

Hydro electricity is of course generated from the falls and not only supplies some of Zambia’s needs, but also some of South Africa’s and Namibia’s.

There is now a cooperation agreement between Zimbabwe and Zambia to build another hydro generation plant.

According to Wikipedia, the selection of  “Seven Natural Wonders is to promote and protect the natural wonders.”

This is Africa’s contribution to that cause.

Link. https://youtu.be/2G1dvywO71g

Please share.

PHOTO GALLERY 

Enjoying the walk through the natural rain forest 

Relaxing on the Zimbabwean side after a wonderful trek

Zimbabwean dancers entertain 

Trucks carrying goods on the pan African highway, wait at the border 

Got a soaking but enjoyed it 😊

A monitor lizard

The mist from the falls is still very visible at 8000 ft in the air. (Taken from the aircraft on leaving Livingstone)

Taking a break

 I was forced to take a break today (27/3, my daughter’s birthday) as the body went on strike. Yup I think I am thirty but it reminded me that I am staring down 80!

Two days ago I started to cough and sneeze then yesterday, got a thorough soaking at the falls.

Not complaining though, for it has been my life’s dream to visit Victoria Falls, and it exceeded all expectations. So, even if it killed me, it would have been worth it.☺️

Would you believe we ran into other Jamaicans there!  Three young ladies, and incidentally, the two sisters are from Santa Cruz, ten miles from where I am from. (Malvern).

The other young lady was from Old Harbor and they are after my own heart, as we ran into them on the lion walk later. They are staying on the Zimbabwe side of the falls but we are on the Zambia side.

And talking about Jamaica, every time someone expressed delight at meeting a Jamaican (they know about us through people like Bolt, Marley, Peter Tosh, Burning Spear etc) I ask them if they know where Jamaica is. 

No one in Zambia or South Africa did, giving answers ranging from America, Asia, Africa to Europe. 

Everyone we asked n Zimbabwe did though.

Very interesting 🧐 

Cold receding but whenever I stand, not feeling too good.

My cousin Anette has gone on a tour of Livingstone, but I wasn’t interested anyway.

If I feel better, may walk around to the croc farm to see how it compares to our premier attraction in Black River and if feeling great, will probably walk to the waterfront although I suspect only boats and restaurants are there. 

Adventurous Jamaicans all😊

Otherwise will just watch tv.

The internet here is not too hot as can’t upload pics as each one takes forever. Today it was off for most of the day.

That’s life.