Monday, January 11, 2010

Dear people of Zim

I was recently fortunate enough to undertake a short trip to the most popular tourist attraction in your country, the Victoria falls. I find it difficult to put my impressions thereof into words, so I'll stick to: 'OH MY WORD!!!!!!'

We were super excited when we boarded the little One Time airplane at OR Thambo early on the morning of the 1st....destination: Livingstone, Zambia. The flight was uneventful right until the pilot announced that Victoria Falls will soon be visible through the window. It was a breathtaking and heart stopping moment that i will never forget. So beautiful!!!

We were met at Livingstone airport by Victor, a man that impressed immensely. Well educated, witty and with a love of his country that is clearly visible in everything he does. We were taken by bus through the Zambian and Zimbabwean borders and finally to our beautiful hotel, The Victoria Falls Hotel. One of the top hotels on the Zimbabwe side of the falls...old school, colonial, breathtaking and with amazing service. I can honestly say that we were treated like royalty throughout our stay. Never in my life had i met such amazing hotel staff.

We went on the sunset cruise. WOW WOW WOW!!!! it's like a 3 hour cruise on the Zambezi as the sun is setting. What incredible views. We were treated to free drink (as much as we wanted....score) and hippos and crocodiles and just all the breathtaking things that completes the Zambezi experience.

The next day I went on a 2hour hike along the falls. The mist created by the falls is so heavy in some places that it literally felt like we were caught in a hectic rain storm without any clouds. At the end of the 2 hours i was absolutely soaking wet....but we got the most awesome pictures and just got to stand there and take in the awesomeness that is the Falls:)

Shortly after that we were treated to a helicopter ride over the falls. I was fortunate enough to be able to sit in front next to the pilot, which meant that i had the best view! I have no words to describe what i saw and how it made me feel. The pictures seem so inadequate when i look at them now.

Then in the afternoon we had a real treat! We went on an Elephant safari...as in we actually rode the elephant's through the game park in search of other wild animals. I got to bond with this majestic animal in a way i never thought I'd experience:)

I received numerous wedding proposals and my father was offered everything from diamonds to cattle to some weird muti business in Zim for my hand in marriage..but my general impression of the people of northern Zim was one of pride, of integrity, hope, happiness and an appreciation for other people. I was honestly impressed and warmed:)

thank you so much for an amazing couple of days:) Attached please find a couple of snap shots from the trip. I took over 700 pics, so it was really hard to choose, but i can't send all 700+ :)

I hope to visit you again soon

Love
Ruby
xxxxx

p.s. I've never seen so many rainbows in one place in my entire life!

P.P.S. I really wish i could post more pics.....it was tough choosing only a couple!

6 comments:

Richard said...

Looks like you had an absolute blast! definitely one of the places I want to see! And, I can't believe your old man didn't give you up for diamonds! ;)

Tamara said...

Beautiful! I think the first time I went I printed out every photo I took. An expensive exercise ;-)

Glad you had such a cool time.

Ruby said...

@Richard - i did indeed:) *snort* my dad would never give me up for anything!!!!!

@Tam - haha...i'm very much tempted to do the same...it was so awesome

Rags@40 said...

I was born in Zim but have never to be Vic Falls, one day though! Great photos.

Ruby said...

@mysouthafricanlife - it is such an incredible experience...you have to go:) Thanx...glad people enjoy the pics:)

Kirigalpoththa said...

Breathtaking pictures!