DRUM ROLL PLEASE

April 1-5   We had the opportunity to visit Victoria Falls in Zambia with Elder and Sister Knudsen, Elder and Sister Anderson, Sister Naylor and Sister Taylor.  We flew on Monday to Livingstone, Zambia from Joburg about 1.5 hour flight.  We were shuttled to the Zambezi Sun hotel which is situated right next to Victoria Falls.  We enjoyed viewing the falls including getting soaked from the mist that is produced by the high water.  What a spectacular sight, one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, twice as big as Niagra Falls in North America.   On Tuesday we took a river trip up the Chobe River in Botswana and viewed 2-300 Elephants, many crocodiles, Sable Antelope, Hippos, many birds and so forth.  A spectacular day with beauty and good company.  We also visited a native village with 7,000 residents living in grass huts and surviving on selling crafts and their share of tour fees to visit their village.  They have so little, but they still smile and are friendly.  We had a boat ride up the Zambezi River and viewed a spectacular sunset.  We stopped for a short picnic on an island in Zimbabwe and ended the night  with a walk from the Royal Livingstone hotel back to the Zambezi Sun.   Before we returned to Joburg on Friday, we walked across the bridge from Zambia to Zimbabwe where we viewed a zip line and bungee jump.  We enjoyed the break with good food, good company and spectacular natural wonders and wildlife.

This African Proverb is found in the O R Tambo Airport.

Welcome to the Zambia International Airport. And welcome to the Zambezi-Sun.  Our Accommodations were very nice.  two meals a day included, zebra, baboons, and giraffes roaming free on the grounds.

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls from the top of the falls.

Bridge to Zimbabwe

Day two was our Chobe River trip. 

Vegetables are transported by bicycle from Zambia to Botswana

We crossed into Botswana by ferry boat.

Right is Namibia
Left is Botswana.

We needed to disinfect our feet to prevent the spread of hoof and mouth disease. (For real!!)  After the ferry ride we walked a ways and then stepped on a pad, and then got in the boat for the river safari.  Go figure!!!

I love it!!!

Our captain's name was Moses.  Yes, he did keep us dry while we crossed the Red Sea.

Can you find two lizards in the picture below?

These birds burrow into the river banks about 3 feet, make a nest and then lay their eggs.

We were very close to the hippos........

We saw crocodiles, but we were very careful to "WATCH OUT!"

This next crocodile was cooling himself off by opening his mouth.  He lay there with his mouth open for a long time.

Impala are called "the Golden Arches" for the lions.  Lions like to eat them, they are a fast meal, and there is the McDonald's logo on their backsides.

We saw over 300 elephant in the park.  Definitely an over population.  The babies that can still walk under their mother's bellies are two weeks or less in age. 

This new baby has an injury or a defect in his left front leg.  Our guide reported it to the park animal supervisors.

There's a bird on me....There's a bird on me....Oh can't you see.... there's a bird on me. Symbiotic relationship between water buffalo and the birds!

This is how elephants shake hands!

Actually Juvenile males can be quite pesky.  We saw some sable antelope watching for an opportunity to come down to drink.  A pesky junior chased them off.

My Beach!

My Water!

We then had a nice lunch and continued our adventure on land.

Lots of giraffes with lots of brown patches.

Wart Hogs are pretty funny looking.  When they run their tails stick straight up.

Charlotte would be envious of this spider egg sac, don't you think?

Day Three.........................We got up early to see the rainbow in the mist.

Elder DaBell hiked down to the bottom of the canyon to the BOILING POT.

WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT A TOKA-LEYA TRIBE

they are about 7000 in numbers and live in a Village near Livingstone, Zambia.  They make a living in tourism and agriculture.

This a Baobab Tree.  It is a lookout tree.  Guards from the village would watch for invaders.  You can see Victoria Falls from the top of this tree.  If they saw trouble, they ran to the village, (which is not really very close) to warn the people.

This pleasant lady was our guide.  She takes a turn with others from the village to tell of the culture.  The money earned from the tourists who come is shared by the village.  It pays for things like emergency medical trips to Livingstone, improvements for the village, and to give assistance to those who are upon hard times.

Interesting extensions in her hair.

Need to haul stuff and don't have wheels?  Use a sledge and cattle. (No, that is not me)

Need to haul water?  Need child care at the same time?  No problem!

Don't fence me in..........

The walls of the houses are made from poles standing with balls of clay placed between.

One of the crops is peanuts.  They grow on roots like potatoes.

Baby in the front and back!!!

Can it be?  Yes it is!  A satellite dish!!!

Recycling is alive and well in this village.

We watched the lady of the house sweep this door yard (dirt) with the grass broom. 

As always the children are adorable.....

The Bicycle Repair Shop

A multi-generational society.

This is a shower.  The Commode is in the bush.

This young man works with his radio playing.

Notice the solar panel........

The men work on crafts that are sold in a market area......

with a cell phone.  First and third world together!

These children are 5-6 years old.  Just starting school.  All children are taught English in school.  The Government provides public schooling.

This is the jail. (Called a watch station - mainly for drunks.)

Wheel barrow enterprise....















The village gets water from a common well.  It is all hauled by hand. (Or head)

Thursday night we enjoyed a sunset boat excursion.  

Not a dinner cruise, but delicious snacks were served.

Friday morning a quick walk to the bridge between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

 Wonderful Trip, Wonderful Company, Fascinating culture and people.

 And then back home to Johannesburg.........

Until next time and our busy week ending with a tour of Soweto, the largest township in South Africa.

Elder and Sister DaBell