Vic Falls Zambia

I arrived in Livingstone Zambia after a 6 hour bus trip along a highway that was more potholes than pavement. We had purchased our tickets the day before we left. As is the usual we found out when we got to Livingstone that we had been charged twenty thousand Kwachas to much for our ticket...we had no recourse to do anything about it..and we were promised a new bus with air conditioning..of course that was false as well. I am really getting tired of the corruption that goes on with us as tourists...it makes for low trust when we are dealing with others. I try to keep and open mind but at times it can get very frustrating when you sense you are getting taken due to who you are.

I am here with Deb and Harrison..we all needed a rest from the tour. The days are getting longer with the cycling and we needed to prepare for our push through Botswana..which I am trusting will be tailwinds and flat all the way..or at least we are told.

Yesterday we went to the falls. We decided to walk and it took us about 2.5 hours from town or about 10k. We stopped first at the Royal Livingstone Hotel..a five star place right near the edge of the falls...just using the washrooms was a treat.. I could have moved into the one I was using it was so luxurious! We made it to the falls. The Zambia side is smaller but in order to sit from Zimbabwe you need to pay a visa fee of 65 dollars so we passed it up. We got totally soaked as we strolled along the walkways but as it is hot is was very refreshing. There are no guard rails along the route and it makes for some very terrifying moments...and of course the monkeys are constant entertainment.

Tonight we are doing a sunset cruise on the river where we will see the animals come down to drink. Tomorrow we are doing a full day Chobe River Cruise...three hour boat ride to see the animals from the water ..a buffet lunch and then a three hour game drive. We never tire of seeing African wildlife.

One month from today we arrive in Cape Town. It is getting closer and we are talking about what it will be like..not that we are spending a lot of time talking about it!!..we take each day as it comes...like the other day when I order a cappuccino coffee and was expecting it to be instant as in the past and it was in fact a fresh brewed one..pure heaven and bliss.


Today we will explore more of the city....still very African in nature with a mix of Western..nothing like Lusaka...but distinct in its own way. Perhaps we will indulge in some ice cream at a place we saw yesterday..or may be not. It is interesting that you crave certain things on this trip and then when you can get it there are times you don't want it..just knowing it is there is enough.

I will update from the next rest day. Pray for god weather and tailwinds as some of the longest days of riding are ahead. One treat we can look forward to is that in Namibia and South Africa we are not allowed to bush camp..we must stay in campsites so that means showers ever day..what a blessing. Speaking of showers and water... I have a tub finally at the place where i am staying ... I took a shower and then I soaked in the tub for over and hour the day I arrived...it is amazing how mush dirt one can wear for so long..the ring in the tub was pretty bad...but I am clean. It will hard to go back to tenting for a few more weeks but we will do it.

Take care all and look forward to the day I can get a computer that will allow me to upload pics for you to see...and enjoy life as I say in ever blog...it is short and you never know what the day will bring...may you all be healthy and well. Cheers