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Published: September 7th 2012
Viewed from A Copter
We viewed the Falls 3 ways: from Livingstone Island where we took a boat to take us to the edge of the cliff, from the air, from the ground when we hiked around the Falls. Hiking trail is just behind our hotel. Double Rainbows by the Falls!
Not one, but two. God was truly busy handing out lovely landscapes here in Zambia! baboons on our way to our hotel, I wasn't surprised. Hey, this is hardcore Africa. But wait, is that a giraffe towering above us as we entered the hotel compound? We also spotted zebras feeding on the grass as a welcoming group of Zambians dressed in tribal attire fiercely beat their drums as we entered the hotel lobby.
That same afternoon, we joined the African Queen Sunset Cruise. What a relaxing, pleasurable experience. Cruising along the Zambezi River, don't be surprised to spot elephants and hippos going about their business unmindful of tourists busily snapping photos till those elephant ears flap or till those hippos open their mouths for a big yawn. Photo opps, yeah. But what makes the day for me is watching the sun set along the Zambezi, with little boats and mini-cruisers gently cruising along the calm river waters. It helped that they have pica-picas and an open bar on this boat. And I certainly enjoyed chatting with the 3 locals making up the crew on the upper deck. A few more things I got wrong: these Zambians speak English fluently! And yes, some of them are Catholics who hear The African Queen Sunset Cruise
Very relaxing. Cruise along the calm waters of Zambezi and allow yourself to be surprised with sightings of hippos and elephants. Sunday mass in Saint Theresa's Church which we passed earlier along the Airport Road. I'm telling ya. I'm an epic failure on my "research" on Zambia.
I did all 3. The 25 minute heli flight burned a big hole in my pocket but I never had second thoughts about doing this. I readily signed up and have no regrets about it. If only for the aerial shot of the Falls from nearly all angles, as well as the perspective I gained seeing our Zambezi Sun Hotel, side by side with Royal Livingstone Hotel, the Knife Bridge we crossed, the Zimbabwe side of the Falls, the Livingstone Bridge connecting Zambia and Zimbabwe, the edge of the cliff when we did the Livingstone Island Tour, the majestic rainbows, the Devil's Pool by the edge and the Boiling Point under the Livingstone Bridge, the Batoka Gorge. All these viewed from the air! PLUS ...... We spotted some 7, maybe even 9 elephants from the air. How lovely to see them freely roaming in one of many islands around Livingstone. I also liked how the copter flew right over the Zambezi River through the Livingstone Bridge
Underneath is Boiling Point. Bungee jumpers off this bridge. Reminds me of that bungee jumping accident earlier this year where a young lady's cord snapped and she fell into the waters with her feet tied. She survived. Lucky and smart of her to swim under currents to pull her feet out of the rope and swim up to the rocks to wait for rescue. Batoka Gorge. Beats starring in a Lucas film. Lol.
But wait. Neither would I forget the walking tour around the Falls. Thank God there were no nasty baboons around! Rainbows are a dime a dozen here. Double rainbows even! It was so refreshing to feel the spray from the waterfalls. Crossing Knife Bridge has its hazards too -- slippery as it gets much of the water spray on that part, but the views across the bridge are so worth the "risks". Victoria Falls up close. Plus a free shower! 😊 Alpha Omega. That's the name of our guide at the Livingstone Island. Shrieks of awe can be heard as we neared the edge of the cliff. Without breaking a stride, I made for the rock by the edge from where you get a good view of the double rainbows and the Falls. Alpha Omega tightened his grip on my hand and then my shoulders. He then took my camera and said he'd take my photos. I abruptly moved to another side, and he barked at me to keep still. Hahaha. I must have given the guy a major, major headache. When I Hiking Trail Around the Falls
Just 4 kms return. More rainbows waiting for you. told him I wanted to crawl to the edge, he unhesitatingly said NO. Geez, the guy was so serious. He only broke into a smile when he caught me on cam with my hair blowing into my face and my hands promptly holding them back and away from my face. I asked someone else in the group to take my photo with Alpha Omega, braids and all.
Alpha Omega eased up after the tour. By that time, our royal breakfast by the Falls of Eggs Benedict was ready. A quick trip to the "loo with a view" and we're ready to dig in. Before long, we boarded the boat back to Royal Livingstone Hotel's Sundeck. Passed a lone elephant as we did. What a treat! Luxury By the Eastern Cataract of the Falls
This blog won't be complete without mentioning the 2 sister hotels by the eastern cataract of the Falls. Royal Livingstone Hotel in all its colonial grandeur. And Zambezi Sun Hotel with its more African resort-theme and earthy colors. You better believe this. Still full from our royal breakfast, we couldn't resist claiming a lounging chair by the Knife Bridge
This bridge is quite slippery as it gets a good amount of water spray from the falls. Around this area, a man fell off the edge of the cliff when he wrestled with a baboon who attacked him and snatched his camera bag. This happened June 2011. Royal Livingstone porch from where you see the mist from the Falls. No wine, no Mosi beer. Just sparkling water for an excuse to extend our stay here. The porch, the breakfast nook, the very colonial-inspired dining area, the bar where a pianist strikes all the right keys, the pool where guests tried to get a tan with Zambia's near-perfect clime.
Not to be outdone, Zambezi Sun Hotel has that resort and wildlife park feel. While knowing they're there, the giraffes and zebras still manage to spring a surprise with their presence. Our room is by a river where I found a lone bench perfect for reading and just some travel downtime. Well, the sign "Beware of Crocodiles" made me push myself out of that bench in a heartbeat. I opted to read my book in the comforts of my air conditioned room. So much for adventure. Other hotel guests did their safaris here and claim it's more "raw" and "natural". Some went for the elephant rides, while those with more spunk went for the adrenaline-pumping white water rafting, bungee-jumping off Livingstone Bridge and the micro light flights over the Falls. Well, this is Victoria Falls Viewed From the Air
Burned a hole in my pocket but worth it if only for this aerial shot of the majestic Victoria Falls. Spot the Livingstone Bridge connecting Zambia to Zimbabwe, under which is the Boiling Point of the Zambezi River. Zambia. The heart of Africa? Who's to say? I like it here!
And if you have 9 minutes, here's a vid clip of Victoria Falls viewed from the air and the ground.
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