098 - African Adventure - Day 7 (Victoria Falls) - Dancing With the Devil....'s Pool

We almost died on this trip. FOR REAL this time.

What started out as a lazy river cruise,

Took a harrowing turn when we ran aground on Livingstone Island, in the middle of the Zambezi River. 

Surrounded by hostile creatures,

there was little avenue for escape.

Accepting the inherent risks,

we waded in, 

seeking passage back to safer shores.

Unfortunately, the fast flowing currents impeded our path and we were forced to take refuge on a small outcropping.

Flanked by danger on all sides, we slipped back into the swirling waters of Devil's Pool, but as small fish appeared to nip at our toes, we were nearly swept over the edge!

Britt searched for an alternate route of egress,

I just panicked.

Meanwhile Ciel and Tasman were unfazed.

Miraculously, we managed to make it back to Livingstone  Island.

A breakfast of Hollandaise doused BLTs and porridge,

had us thinking more clearly, and we were able to flag down another vessel to safely put us back on solid ground.

Close one.

Made our way back across the bridge from Zambia to Zimbabwe.

For a safer afternoon strolling the pathways (and 15 viewpoints) of the Victoria Falls Rainforest Reserve.

Where we took 15,000 photos of the falls...

There were some brief flashbacks as we gazed across at the location of our earlier misfortunes.

But we shook them off, 

And made it back to the Visitors Centre for some cool drinks, and a couple more close encounters.

As we waited for the shuttle home, we marvelled at the local talents.

That evening was New Year's Eve, and our fits were fire,  

as we headed to the Lodge looking for a wild party.

While there was some brief dinner entertainment, 

the only thing wild going on were these guys.

They arrived at the watering hole just before 9pm, and were still ordering drinks when we headed back to the room at eleven.

Despite all the excitement of the day, we managed to hang in long enough to ring in 2024 with a bang.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

097 - African Adventure - Day 6 (Cape Town, Johannesburg, Victoria Falls) - Welcome to the Jungle

 

After four jet-lagged nights of minimal sleep in Cape Town, we were overjoyed to roll out of our pad at 0400 for the next double-hop leg of our journey.

Ciel was bursting with excitement as we arrived at the airport,

and for the flight to Johannesburg,

where Taz was finally able to score a bag of South African biltong.

Which he promptly crushed in 20 min, before sagely stating, “Guys, I think I ate too much biltong.”

It wasn’t long before we caught our first glimpse of the mists of Victoria Falls!

We hit the ground running,

and arrived shortly at the Safari Lodge Suites, our new pad.

We had a view of the mopane woodland, 

And with no fences or barriers of any sort, it was not without its own excitement.

Situated not far from a couple prime watering holes,

we were quickly acquainted with a number of the locals.

(Note: Our pics aren't great, these guys move fast, but they're all ours!)

(Marabou Stork)

(Striped Mongoose)

(African Masked Weaver)

(Helmeted Guinea Fowl) 

In fact any time we stepped out our door, looked out our window, or gazed across at the watering hole, a new species would show up!

(Chital)

(Warthogs)

(Cape Buffalo)

(Baboons)

These guys were particularly cute,

(Vervet Monkeys)

That is, until they started swarming and chasing us down the road. The kids and Britt bolted for the suite while I hung back flailing the beach bag in some semblance of defence. It was a scene reminiscent of Jurassic Park.

“RUUUUN!!!!”

Fortunately, we escaped unscathed.

We recovered from the ordeal in time to rally for the Boma Dinner & Drum Show.

Where we sampled some local cuisine,

Highlights included impala stew, and eland steaks,

and these “little” guys.

(Clearly, they were delicious!)

It was a raucous night of live entertainment, 

table-side face painting, 

interactive drumming, 

and (of course),

dancing!

Next up: Devil's Pool...