Just NB

Next stop on the Accidental African Adventure Part 2 is Botswana. We drove about an hour to the Zambia/Botswana border. Trucks that use this route have to line up for up to TEN DAYS to pass. One of the lucky trucks making it on the porter ferry that day Luckily, we had a boat waiting. There was the regular chaos, lack of formality, and understanding at the border crossing....but I think we were in good hands - our guides' names were Moses and Purity. So - technically - at this point in the river - I am in FOUR COUNTRIES. This river is shared by Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. According to the locals, three out of the four countries have agreed (and have the funds) to build a bridge across. However, the President of Zimbabwe will not agree to it. Made it across the other side... but not quite officially in Botswana...yet... Had to clear customs and then walk through the water on the far right (not the big puddle) and clean my shoes to make sure tha...

Next stop after the first visit to Joberg was Livingstone, Zambia. The hotel was pretty good, and town was wonderful, and the walking tour of the falls was amazing! My last night in Zambia we went on a sunset boat cruise, which began with a bottle of the local beer, Mosi. Was pretty good....and mild...which was nice 'cause I'm not really a beer drinker. The sun was still out and the scenery was awesome, of course... The boat ended up being filled with a few lushes (I may or may not be including myself...) and another boat was called in for back up delivery of beer. I switched over to Gin and Tonic - seemed more appropriate for a boat cruise in Livingstone? And tonic - if you don't already know - contains quinine - which a natural treatment for malaria - so it's good for my health, right? We saw a few birds, a hippo head or two, and then - my first crocodile!! I was quite comfortable observing him at this distance. The tour guide, felt otherwise......

Victoria falls was my first tourist destination on the trip and I was there only for my first two days in Africa (and a few hours in transit leaving Africa). The falls are located in Livingstone, Zambia and were founded by Dr. Livingstone (I presume..) :) The falls are also one of the seven greatest wonders of the world. Click here for some more history on the falls These few pictures can't begin to describe how breathtaking the falls are. Welcome to Victoria Falls The other side of Victoria falls is called The Smoke That Thunders - for obvious reasons. 1) It's very loud, and 2) From far away, it looks like smoke from a fire. When I first saw it from the plane - it looked as if there was a massive brush fire. What amazed me the most was these falls... ....actually become so dry in October that you can walk across to the other side!!! And of course, the required tourist picture standing in front of the falls: and when our guide said I could st...

Last night I went on a walking tour of Victoria falls and they were breathtaking (and I got soaking wet, thank goodness for the waterproof camera!). After that I went on a sunset cruise of Zambia river - that borders Zimbawe. I saw a hippo and was within about... a meter from a crocodile!! I screamed when he moved - scared the crap out of me!!! I'm just checking out of my hotel now in Livingstone, Zambia and then making a drive to Elephant Lodge in Chobe National Park in Botswana. I'm trying to put together a bunch of posts on the activities of the last few days....the pictures I took can't begin to fully show how beautiful it is here. I'm dissapointed to not have spent a few more days in Zambia so that I could learn a bit more about the culture, it is so incredibly beautiful here. (Apologies for the unanswered emails, I have been a bit rushed seeing the animals and tours, etc and am thinking of you all.) Not sure what kind of internet connection I'll have...

I had just finished eating my warthog, crocodile tail, and antelope and was on my way back to my room..... And then I saw them. And I let out a yelp. Hearing my gasp/yelp, a bar staff asked me, Are you scared? It's okay! I said, NO!! I'm fine.... BUT there are zebras!!! In the grass!! Now....I can understand his confused look - because basically this is the equivalent of a someone from Europe or Asia coming to Jasper Park and freaking out that they saw an elk or a mountain goat or something... but I completely freaked out. I was....like....THREE feet from wild Zebra. Wild Zebra are in my backyard. And...I haven't even started the safari tours. I ran back to my room, grabbed my camera.....and I couldn't stop saying over and over again (in a whisper-yell - so that I wouldn't scare them) OH MY GOD, THERE ARE ZEBRAS!! OH MY GOD, THERE ARE ZEBRAS!!! (and yes, I FOR SURE looked like a crazy white woman....) I have been having a really hard time graspin...