Packed with Love

November 25, 2013

Care package from home.

It is possible to get almost anything here, however; there still are a few things that I haven't been able to find (and have yet to locate a decent replacement). So, for my birthday this year, Mom and Dad sent me a few coveted things from Canada that I've been missing. Among other things, the list included cherry Nibs, Burt's Bees lip balm, and Tiger balm. They also threw in a few other fun treats that were sweet reminders of home. Above all though, it was just nice to open something from them and from home. While in the midst of buying a house and moving, they still managed to put this together for me (despite having to run all over town to find some of the items!). Big hugs, Mom and Dad!

When in Rome...

November 21, 2013

While Halloween is not really celebrated in South Africa, everyone still manages to get their fix for costume parties…both M and I had theme parties for our teams year-end functions (and both in the same week). Mine was a Rio Carnival blast, while M's was a rip-roaring 50's hop. And no, for the record we are not the largest fans of dress-up parties, but M and I paid a visit to the local party-supply shop all in the name of embracing the South African way…

Bring on the feathers, beads and glitter…

 …and then there's polka-dots, poodle skirts, and purple T-birds.

We're never ones to shy away from a photo booth.

The Smoke that Thunders

November 16, 2013

It has the largest sheet of falling water on earth. It is considered to be one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Mosi-Oa-Tunya, as Victoria Falls is known locally, is somewhere that both M and I knew we couldn't leave this continent without seeing.

The falls are very different at different times of the year. In the dry season the flow of the falls can be as low as one-tenth of the flow during the wet season. In the wet season, the entire 1.7km ridge is covered in water spilling over the earth, and the spray is so strong it is impossible to see the falls without getting soaked. In the dry season, the lower water levels make it possible to raft at the base of the falls, swim at the top of the falls, and see the flow of the Zambezi River from above.

We opted to visit in the dry season so we could swim in Devil's Pool, the naturally-formed rock pool at the very edge of Zambia. Enjoy the photos from a huge bucket-list weekend.

The Zambezi River Bridge- connecting Zambia to Zimbabwe, and a popular bungee jumping spot.

The falls from the Zambia side- the main falls can be seen at the far end of the gorge. 

Livingstone Island- where David Livingstone first discovered the falls, and named them after Queen Victoria.

The icing on the cake- a gorgeous rainbow marking the split between Zambia and Zimbabwe. 

 At the edge of Livingstone Island.

"Ya we did!" Devils Pool- considered by some to be one of the top 10 adrenaline experiences on the planet.

"Look Ma, no hands!"

It's a long way down…

It doesn't get much better than this…

Grinning ear to ear and loving every minute.

Relaxing at the Royal Livingstone and going for an afternoon swim…did I mention it was 38 degrees?

Enjoying an evening boat cruise on the Zambezi River.

The Zambezi is home to many hippos and crocs...definitely not a place you'd want to swim (oh, wait…did I mention we swam across the Zambezi to get to Devil's Pool?)

Seriously, there were a lot of hippos…probably the closest I've ever been to so many pods of them.

This guy was standing on the river bank as we floated by…it was as though he was planted there or something (just for the record, he wasn't).

One of the many crocs we saw resting on the river banks.

What better way to see the falls than from the sky? M and I each took a turn on a microlight flight over the falls.

My feet are in Zimbabwe while the propeller is in Zambia.

Watching the Zambezi spill over the edge of Zambia.

Can you spot the elephant below the left rear wheel?

M's turn to see the falls from up above- heading into Zimbabwe.

In no-mans land directly over the falls...

...and now back over to Zambia.

He was so focused on the view that this is the only photo he looked at the camera.

You wouldn't even know this guy is afraid of heights...

In and around the town of Livingstone, Zambia.