SOUTH AFRICAN SUMMER

 ( March 2012)

We took a spectacular trip into Zimbabwe to see the Victoria Falls in February.

  Compared with so many wonders of the world, it was extraodinary how few tourists we encountered.  Mostly we just walked on our own.  These are photos of the Falls seen from the rain forest, where we spent most of a day.

One and a half times wider than Niagara Falls and twice the height, making it the largest curtain of water in the world

(and no souvenir shops!)

few tourists, but we were never quite alone ...

double rainbow, view from bridge separating Zimbabwe from Zambia (left), the bridge (right)

The Zambezi Gorge ...    "Dr. Livingstone, I presume."    (David Livingstone, the Scottish explorer, is believed to have been the first European to view the falls in 1855)  --Note the wires at top right.  It's for bungee jumping, and I was VERY relieved that Brenda didn't want to try it!

On the second day when we couldn't walk any more, we connected with Jonathan and his makeshift "taxi."  It was not comfortable, but we were infinitely grateful for any  mode of transport which took us off our feet. 

The still-splendid Victoria Falls Hotel, which maintains a very honorable demeanor despite the catastrophic state of the country.   For Brenda this was a sentimental journey, as she was last a guest here with her family over 60 years ago (as attest the photo below)!

On the grounds of the Vic-Falls Hotel, Brenda (r) with sister Ann and Mummy

views from the Stanley's Terrace

The original pool circa 1925 still intact ...   and The Livingstone Room Restaurant

Main lobby

Reception (left) and in the bush ...

Victor (our real taxi) with Brenda by the Zambezi River

A touch of Hollywood lighting! (photo A. McAdam)

  THE END