The Power of Victoria Falls…… a Natural Wonder

Africa » Zimbabwe » Victoria Falls
October 17th 2018

Published: October 31st 2018

Victoria Falls “…scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.” – David Livingstone As a child, on Sunday morning Merry Jo would eagerly hop up each morning to watch a Shirley Temple movie followed by a Tarzan movie. She was enthralled by people swinging through the jungle and the falls featured prominently in these movies. Her quest to see the falls in person has ... Read Full Entry

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Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

D MJ Binkley

Photographers, divers, writers, foodies, chefs and music enthusiasts. Travelers' Century Club Members: 12/2023. MJ 107 and Dave 104. We appreciate your feedback and if you like our stories we would appreciate it if you follow our blog. We live on North Hutchinson Island, Florida. If you are in Florida please send us a private message as we would love to meet you. Two retired nurses who are passionate about traveling the world. Our love of travel, meeting new people and experiencing new cultures will hopefully take us to wonderful plac... full info

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31st October 2018

roamingfox
Alma van As

What a trip!
Wow! You certainly saw more than what I've hoped to see in my lifetime and I live here! Sorry I didn't get to meet you in Johannesburg, but a belated happy birthday to Dave. Pity I couldn't show you my side of suburban life and some other lesser known places of my part of South Africa.

31st October 2018

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

What a trip
It has been an amazing trip. Sorry it didn’t work out to meet. Our paths may cross again one day.

31st October 2018

Kuan Yin
Karen Johnson

Probably no consolation...
The two worst injuries I've ever had came from tripping on the sidewalk (shattered kneecap, and three months in a brace) and tripping over a 4 inch high parking lot block (two broken front teeth and a broken toe.) I definitely have a fear of falling, but not of heights, since I've done all my damage on the ground.

1st November 2018

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Probably no consolation
Yikes... a shattered knee cap, broken teeth and toe. OMG. Yes, you can join me in the fear of falling. You need to keep an eye on the ground. I keep trying to ignore the feeling but sometimes it just over takes me.

31st October 2018

Sheila Ball
non-member comment

Fear and Beauty
I could feel your agony as well as your sense of wonder. Love best the photo of the colorful tree.

1st November 2018

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Fear and Beauty
Jacaranda Trees... they are beautiful. I was having a myriad of emotions. I refused not to look at this amazing sight but my heart was pounding! I refuse to give in to crazy feelings when I can fight it.

31st October 2018

Simply.......larger than one can imagine

Dancing Dave
David Hooper

Victoria Falls
Just thinking of it brings back memories...not necessarily good ones. 'Cos this is where the cook on our Kenya to South Africa safari decided to strike...stealing my passport and money...ensuring we did not get up wet and sprayed by this natural wonder yet camped nearby...requiring us to abandon the safari...leading to adventures not on the itinerary. Yep...brings back memories of what should have been...paradise lost. I thus live Vic Falls vicariously through the joy of others...and joy it is wringing wet in your words and magnificent photos. Life is not regrets. But it does not mean we cannot be circumspect.

1st November 2018

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Victoria Falls
Our blogs seem to provide both good and bad memories. Circumspect is good. An amazing place... so powerful. The canyons were spectacular.

31st October 2018

Patty Marlow
non-member comment

Huh?
Fake phony or campy? What the what? I can still see Tarzan swinging from tree to tree. I'm just getting a chance to go through these beautiful pictures. My sister Peg and her husband went over the falls in an ultralight. They said it was so beautiful.

1st November 2018

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Huh?
See ... this is what I’m saying... what is wrong with that man? Tarzan was always doing good things... The falls are amazing. I probably would have been fine in an ultralight as I would have had a harness... next helicopter I’ll check that out. Amazing power of water and those crazy devil pool people. Crazy.

1st November 2018

cabochick
Andrea

Those damn National Geographics. I have the same affliction. Might as well appease it! Look at you, helicopter rides over victoria falls. What an amazing way to experience it. And a black Rhino!!! Wow. What a trip.

1st November 2018

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Those damn National Geographics
There was a time in my life I hoped to be a photo journalist for them but my life took another path. That would have been really cool. The helicopter flight was good even with me holding on for dear life.

2nd November 2018

Travelling Fraggles
Marie & Emma

Border crossings
Did you guys have to present yourselves at the border to leave Tajikistan? (We didn't) Can relate to the feeling in the helicopter somewhat, there have been times when we've been convinced we're not going to live to tell the tale and it doesn't make so an enjoyable experience, well until much much later when you can eventually laugh about it!

2nd November 2018

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Border Crossings
Yes, we did present ourselves when we left Tajikistan. The helicopter really surprised me as I've risen in them before without any issues. But, I always had the shoulder harness which made me feel safe.

2nd November 2018

gangopa
tab gangopadhyay

MJ feels the same in air as Tab feels in water!!!
What a fantastic episode to read. How do I start? Well, it was such a lovely start of the blog reminiscing the childhood of MJ. Brilliant! Then it happened that never happened to me. I stopped reading your blog when you were sailing on Zambezi River. Do you know why? I was so envious that I could not take it any more! That is the place I always wanted to go. That is the Devil's Pool I always wanted to sit down. And I wanted to take the open air microlite flight over the Vic Falls. You did it all. Well, helicopter instead of microlite. Then what? Then I read it all after a day. And I became more jealous! Fun, fun, fun. Oh yes, Happy Birthday to both of you - it's back to back for Dave and MJ...

2nd November 2018

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

In the air and water
Good thing we keep confronting our fears. Living out so many memories. It was a fantastic trip. We understand the best time to go is in May or June. Thanks for the birthday wishes. Thanks for following us and commenting. No need to be jealous... you just need to book that trip.

3rd November 2018

RENanDREW
Ren & Andrew

National Geographic Mags...
… single handedly responsible for so many kids getting hooked on travel! Sorry to hear about the not-so-great aspect of your helicopter ride MJ, but great that you know now that the full harness makes a big difference for you. Well, what a fabulous and memorable birthday trip you've both had! The number of amazing animals you've seen and the amazing African experiences you've had in just one trip is phenomenal :)

3rd November 2018

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

National Geographic Mags....
Yes, that is a very dangerous magazine but much good has come from it. As for the helicopter... we all have something that makes us uncomfortable. I deal with it the best I can. We really had amazing animals sightings. The places we stayed were well worth it. Following in your footsteps we celebrated our birthdays all month.

5th November 2018

Crannster
Theresa and Dave

Easy Peasy
What an awesome time you're having in Southern Africa! The falls are unreal - years ago I bungee-jumped from the bridge by the falls (when I was much younger and far less concerned for my life.) I was told it was "Easy-peasy Lower Zambezi." I did not find it easy leaping from the platform... Love the Rhinos - you didn't run into a guy named Ian Harmer by any chance when you were with the rhinos? I am looking forward to more blogs. Dave

5th November 2018

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Easy Peasy
There was a time in the late 80s when I didn't have the fear of falling and I almost bungee jumped in New Zealand. Those days are behind me. Sorry we didn't run into Harmer. We were happy to get to see the Black Rhino. I'll have to study our photos to really see the difference between them and the white ones. None the less they are amazing animals. I think you used to work in Zimbabwe and sadly even though we've now been there we haven't seen much of the country. Possibly another time. MJ

18th November 2018

alex waring
Alexander Waring

Victoria Falls
Absolutely breathtaking! There are indeed so many different views to enjoy at this natural marvel, I'm glad you were able to experience many of them ? I'm sorry to read about your experiences in the helicopter, but well done you on being able to get yourself through it. I had a similar "fear" moment in Japan when I spontaneously decided to do a ferris wheel trip at the top of a ten-storey building, I understand. Somewhere in one of my blogs on here is a photo of me in the "Angel's Pool" - similar to the "Devil's Pool" and available when the latter was out of action due to wrong water levels. Not sure I'd do that again now though...! A great read as always, thanks MJ and Dave ?

20th November 2018

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Victoria Falls
The falls were beautiful even in the dry season. I managed to maintain the fear the best I could. The best thing about being in the helicopter was being able to see the grand size of it all and the depth of the canyons. Simply breathtaking. I'll have to look at the Angel's Pool. No, doubt I'll go on that Ferris wheel.

2nd December 2018

Mumtraveller
Lynne Brown

Fear
Having done my first helicopter ride recently I was surprised at how smooth and easy it felt and I wasn’t scared ...if I do another one like you I will check on harnesses. But there was that fear when I stood under the rocks at the Maori paintings and thought we might have another earthquake! It’s been great to read all about your experiences in Africa. Thanks for letting us all share.

3rd December 2018

D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley

Fear
I've been in helicopters before and not had any problem. This was different. Plus the entire door was clear plastic. Usually they have a half window. I understand your feelings under the rocks. Thanks for commenting.

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The Power of Victoria Falls…… a Natural Wonder

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