Africa: Post # 5... Victoria Falls...

 

 As we planned this trip we decided to take advantage of being closer to Victoria Falls than we were likely to be anytime soon in future... besides, as it turned out to become a honeymoon & these Falls are larger than those of Niagara. Even while now running with much less than when full. The phenomenon of  the Zambezi River dropping spectacularly over an edge formed by a tectonic shift in the planet's crust  into a canyon becomes a dramatic series of frothing water churned in vaporous clouds at it's base. that creates a beautifully evocative phrase "the smoke that roars"...

We were visiting when the river was running low, but still making a dramatic show.

 

It is quite wide so even at this dry season it leaves a "print" of its course when full... 

 

We found a good guide, if a bit soulful, particularly when I mentioned the college education he seemed to have, but Carlton explained he hadn't been able to afford that. 

 

The hotel where we stayed was built with lots of open-air spaces... beginning at the reception...

 

With side tables lathed from slabs, which I found particularly handsome...

We were booked with a dinner cruise on the Zambezi... very nicely done. We enjoyed our table at the front of the upper deck, giving us unimpeded sunset views...

The landscape became an exotic series of silhouetted riverine [riparine] views...
The drinks & several well made courses were served by a pleasantly efficient staff... who formed a chorus to sing us off the boat after we docked to go home! Lovely!

  

Then there was the additional offering for a redux, next morning before dawn. I was ambivalent at first, but we decided to get up & meet a driver in the dark to join. We proved to be the only people who felt called...  thus gifting us a private event with Captain Bryan... who once again demonstrated the quality & char of the guides we met in South Africa... although we were actually floating along the border with  Zimbabwe... just before the river quickened to drop over Victoria Falls. 

 

 

 

The boat was set-up with breakfast for a dozen or more, so we felt totally pampered, cruising with coffee & nibbles in hand, roving 'round the boat for the best views... often whch were pointed-out by Captain Bryan. As Stephen began asking questions they soon were chatting... as the Captain warmed to his capabilities, sensing our genuine interests in communication... sharing differences as well as the more usual commonalities. This is how travel feeds us...

 

 

 

 

I'm glad he offered his encouragement toward this excursion!

Another bit of knowledge toward my kitchen was to be taken to see a tree which is the source for baking powder is the Baobab tree... who knew?!?

 

Another bit of knowledge toward my kitchen was to be taken to see a tree which is the source for baking powder is the Baobab tree... who knew?!?

[I will now... every time I bake a cake!]