Zeb the Duck Remembers Africa

I, Zeb the Duck, really loved my summer in Southern Africa.   I wanted to show you some of my favorite memories, but there were so many.   Remember this trip started with us volunteering for a couple weeks with Ripple Africa in Malawi.

Ripple Africa

Ripple Africa

The students were so friendly and eager to learn.

Students

Students

We saw this all over Southern Africa.   Living on the shore of Lake Malawi, we appreciated the sunny days and the evenings watching the moon rise over the lake.

Moon rising over Lake Malawi

Moon rising over Lake Malawi

We saw people everywhere carrying items on their heads.

Great posture and great balance as they carry heavy loads

Great posture and great balance as they carry heavy loads

The humans walk so gracefully and have beautiful posture.   These changu changu moto stoves save so much wood and requires so much less work to use.

Changu changu moto wood burning stove

Changu changu moto wood burning stove

They are a huge improvement over the traditional three stone stove.   Men stack wood on frames on their bicycles.

Loading firewood on bicycle

Loading firewood on bicycle

Seeing them ride with all the wood was fascinating.   We smiled at this sign, but it was true.

The monkeys do take things

The monkeys do take things

The monkeys will pick up most items and the items may be gone forever.   Victoria Falls is so big and so powerful.   It really is a sight for all to see.

Rainbow Falls at Victoria Falls, Zambia

Rainbow Falls at Victoria Falls, Zambia

This is Rainbow Falls on the Zambian side.   The rainbow seems to be there almost all the time. Male dancers and singers in the Kingdom of Swaziland entertained us.

Entertainers from Kingdom of Swaziland

Entertainers from Kingdom of Swaziland

Many humans think of large animals and safaris whenever Africa is mentioned.   We loved our safaris and the animals are so majestic, and in many cases, they were playful and entertaining. Impalas are so plentiful and also so delicate and graceful.

Impala

Impala

We never tired of seeing them.   We love the zebras.

Zebra

Zebra

The stripes are so exotic to me.   And the massive elephants, especially in groups always take your breath. And there is nothing like a baby elephant to soften your heart.

Elephants

Elephants

Cape Buffalo always make us smile.

Cape Buffalo

Cape Buffalo

The Swazi candles were some of our favorite souvenirs.   Packing them was a challenge!

Candle from Swazi Candles.

Candle from Swazi Candles.

This monkey candle is bigger than I am.   I loved seeing the Indian Ocean from Bonnie, our horse.  p1000388The money in Africa was very colorful.   We like each denomination a different color.    Makes things easier for humans.   Each country used a different currency, but US dollars were accepted most places.

Money from Malawi, Mozambique, and South Africa.

Money from Malawi, Mozambique, and South Africa.

Zimbabwe did not print their own paper money.   The official currency of Zimbabwe is the US Dollar.  We did bring a little local currency home, but most of the left over money is donated at airports to help the local people.   If everybody gives a little, that equals a lot of money and a lot of local help.   We did purchase many Visas, each time we entered a country, and flights between countries in Southern Africa were expensive and not always convenient.   But the experience was unforgettable.   The people–so friendly and helpful.   The land and animals are beautiful.  We were able to visit Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Kingdom of Swaziland, South Africa and Mozambique.    We hope you visit these countries soon.   You will never forget the experience.

Advertisement

Victoria Falls from Zambia with Zeb the Duck

Our time at Victoria Falls is almost over, so today we will walk to Zambia to see the falls from that side of the river.      We passed Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls National Park and walked to Zambia.

Into Zambia

Going Into Zambia

Since we were exiting one country and entering another, we stopped for immigration in each country and paid a fee to visit the destination country.  We stop often to view Victoria Falls from Victoria Falls bridge.

Victoria Falls from Victoria Falls Bridge

Victoria Falls from Victoria Falls Bridge

Isn’t it beautiful?  Victoria Falls Bridge is famous.

Victoria Falls Bridge

Victoria Falls Bridge

The span of the arch is 158 meters.   The bridge is 128 meters above the Zambezi River at low water.   And, this Victoria Falls Bridge is one of only a few bridges in the world that carries road, rail and pedestrian traffic.   And has great views of Victoria Falls.

Victoria Falls from Victoria Falls Bridge

Victoria Falls from Victoria Falls Bridge

Just inside Zambia, we see this statue of Dr. David Livingstone.

150th anniversary of first European to see Victoria Falls, Dr. David Livingstone

150th anniversary of first European to see Victoria Falls, Dr. David Livingstone

This statue, dedicated November 16, 2005, commemorates the 150th anniversary  of the first sighting of Victoria Falls by a European.   Dr. Livingstone reached Victoria Falls November 16, 1855.   We enter Zambia’s National Heritage Conservation Commission area.

Zambia's National Heritage Conservation Commission

Zambia’s National Heritage Conservation Commission

We purchase our ticket and rent another raincoat.   This is a view of the Victoria Falls bridge from inside the park area.

Victoria Falls bridge from Zambia

Victoria Falls bridge from Zambia

We follow the path along the falls, delighting in each view of Victoria Falls.   We will cross this foot bridge, but see how wet it is.

Walk over this bridge. Spray from falls keeps everything and everybody wet.

Walk over this bridge. Spray from falls keeps everything and everybody wet.

The mist and spray from Victoria Falls is very strong.    This is Rainbow Falls.

Rainbow Falls

Rainbow Falls

Isn’t it spectacular?   We love rainbows and water, so this is perfect for us.   These waterfalls are beautiful and we are captivated by them.

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls

Leaving the park, we like this sign.

Reminder that malaria is a real threat

Reminder that malaria is a real threat

Malaria kills many people.   We take our daily pills and use mosquito netting.   We hope all people in Africa use the mosquito netting also.   We bought a couple t-shirts and are carrying them in a bag.   As we cross Victoria Falls bridge to return to Zimbabwe, we see this baboon on the bridge.

Our baboon

Our baboon

He is coming to us.   What???  He runs to mom, jumps up and grabs the t-shirt bag.   He rips the bag, but then leaves the bag and us because there is no food in the bag.   No one is hurt, but we are certainly surprised.   Is this an almost baboon attack?   These baboons are really friendly.   That was a new experience and a great story to tell our friends at home.   Looking at the waterfalls, we recognize the foot bridge we crossed in the park.

Our foot bridge from Victoria Falls Bridge

Our foot bridge from Victoria Falls Bridge

While we walk across the bridge, a train, Pride of Africa, is also crossing the bridge.

Train, Pride of Africa, going over Victoria Falls Bridge

Train, Pride of Africa, going over Victoria Falls Bridge

This is our last full day at Victoria Falls.   We really wish we had more time, but we have plane reservations and hotel reservations in Mozambique.   If you visit Victoria Falls, we know you will love it.

A Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River with Zeb the Duck

Mom and I are traveling alone now.   Leaving Malawi, we had an overnight stop in Johannesburg, South Africa and then we went on to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.   Welcome to Victoria Falls.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe airport

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe airport

Our taxi from the airport took us to a travel agency on the way to our hotel.   We made reservations for a river cruise and a one day safari in Botswana.    Our  hotel is located near a craft mall and anther outdoor craft market.

Outdoor craft market is huge

Outdoor craft market is huge

More time will be needed here.   After checking into our hotel, it was time for our first adventure.    I, Zeb the Duck, love boat rides.   We went on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.   This river separates Zambia and Zimbabwe.   We are staying in the city of Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe side of the river.   The bus picked us up at our hotel and then picked up more humans.   At one resort, we saw these warthogs in the lawn.

Warthogs on the resort lawn

Warthogs on the resort lawn

Isn’t that great?  Animals as soon as we arrived in Victoria Falls.   Here we are, ready to hop on this river boat.

Getting on the river boat

Getting on the river boat

We were only on the boat a few minutes when we saw this elephant, on the Zambia side.

Our first Zambian elephant

Our first Zambian elephant

This is our first Zambian elephant.   There are lots of birds here also.   We recognized the fish eagle.

Fish eagle

Fish eagle

We really like them, and we have seen them many places.   Still on the Zambia side of the river we saw this mother elephant with a young elephant.

Mom and baby heading back to the woods

Mom and baby heading back to the woods

They did not pose for photos; they tuned and walked away from us and the river.   The hippos here seemed to be playing with us.

Hippo

Hippo

They would look at us and then go under the water.   Soon come up again, but only for about 8-10 seconds.   It was cute, but frustrating also.   Here is another elephant, drinking from the Zambezi River.

Elephant drinking from the Zambezi River

Elephant drinking from the Zambezi River

We did see one small crocodile sunning on the sandy river bank.   It did not show  up well in photos.   We are in the Zambezi National Park.   They often name national parks after the river. Here is the sunset we came to see.

Beautiful sunset

Beautiful sunset

And a beautiful sunset we did see.   I, Zeb the Duck, love sunsets with the water.   You know that I was on this boat, but there were many humans and mom couldn’t get good photos of me with animals behind me, so I am not in boat photos.   We met so many interesting tourist on this cruise.   One, couple, from South Africa, will be at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.   He will be an official in the rowing competition.   We think that is exciting.   We hope they had a wonderful time.   I, Zeb the Duck, have not been to Brazil, but mom says Rio is one of the prettiest cities she has ever seen.  But, we think Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe is exciting and pretty also.   After the cruise, the bus brought us back to our hotel.   We walked to the craft market, closed now,

Elephant Walk Shopping. Many beautiful craft stores inside.

Elephant Walk Shopping.  Many beautiful craft stores inside.

but upstairs there is an Asian restaurant.   So up the stairs we went.

Let's go up to the restaurant

Let’s go up to the restaurant

The menu featured several pages of Thai dishes and a page of Chinese offerings.   Everything sounded good; we were hungry.   This is an attractive restaurant.

Namtook Restaurant

Namtook Restaurant

It is called Namtook.   We ordered from the Chinese page.   This is our chicken and vegetables with cashew nuts.

Looks great and tasted wonderful

Looks great and tasted wonderful

Do you see those chopsticks?   We used them to eat.   It was fun.   Everything was very tasty.   We are glad we chose this restaurant for dinner.   Our first evening in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe was a success.