Overdose on adrenaline - Victoria Falls

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Arrived in Victoria Falls on the 26th. Wasn't feeling well so upgraded to a room and shared with Laura and Elissa. It was so nice to sleep on a proper bed for a few nights - a great luxury! Had to miss out on a meal that night as wasn't feeling well along with Neil and Elissa. We all ended up lying on sofas back at the campsite with our rehydration drinks rather than alcoholic one for a change. Bet we looked a right sight!The next day I was feeling quite a bit better so a group of us walked into town and looked around the shops. It is a lot more expensive in Vic Falls compared to other places but i suppose with all the tourism they must get they can afford to do it!Hannah, Polly, Claire, Helen and I all went to The Victoria Falls Hotel for high tea. It is one of the poshest hotels in Vic Falls and has a gorgeous view over the falls and rapids below. It was very lavishly decorated, with gorgeous green gardens, waiters in white waist coats and a magnificient view over the falls and bridge that some of us will be jumping off! We got cute cake stands full of sandwiches, cakes and scones with jam and real clotted cream as well as teapots of real tea! It was absolutely delicious and cost a lot less than it would to do it back in England!In the evening, we went to an interactive drumming evening where we all sat in a half circle around 3 African guys who looked a bit like rastafarians. We each had our own drum and learnt to play and follow their beats and rhythms. It was great fun and everyone really got into the night and enjoyed themselves! Can't say I was that good at following the rhythm especially as it got more complicated, but then I've never been very musical!The next day was when all of the adrenaline activities began. We spent the whole day white water rafting on the Zambezi river. We had to walk from the top of the gorge to the bottom before we could get into our rafts (and there were some very steep steps!). There were 8 of us in our rafts as well as our guide - Quiet. Once we'd had a quick lesson about all the commands and had a practice paddle we were off. We conquered 21 rapids and I only fell out at number 17 - Double Trouble. It was an absolutely awesome day but very hard work. There were a number emotions going through my mind throughout the day including fear, adrenaline and excitement! It was one of the scariest days of my life but very satisfying! When we half flipped, and got pushed under the water it was very scary as I didn't know when i was next going to get some air, especially when everyone else is around you and on top of you pushing you further down. Finally got to the top and then had to relax and not panic as was floating downstream in just my life jacket and helmet waiting for one of the safety kayaks to pick me up before we got to the next rapid! Luckily Elissa and I got picked up by the safety kayak - one us holding onto the front and one on the back and then we had to wait till our raft caught up and we could be hauled back on board! Watching the DVD back later in the evening that had been made of the day was very enlightening! I knew the rapoids were scary but looking back at them some looked absolutely terrifying! I'm so glad i did it though and would definately white water raft again!The following day, i had a half day adrenaline day, where Laura, Elissa and I all abseiled down 52m of one of the gorge rock faces which was good fum but nowhere near as exciting as the zipline jump across the gorge where we were attached to a harness and a wire running from one side of the gorge to the other. Then all we had to do was start running till our feet were no longer on ground anymore and we were kind of flying through the air! Did it twice and it was fantastic. The ground below seemed a long way off though! Got to say the gorge swing was the most terrifying though without a doubt. I was absolutley petrified and didn't know if i would be able to do it. The gorge swing is a free fall of 53m, at a speed of about 120km/hr and was the longest 3 and a half seconds of my life! I had to stand backwards and with my feet strapped together slowly edge myself backwards until my heels were hanging over the edge of the gorge. After a count of 3 I slowly rocked back and started free falling!!! Thought I was going to die! Lol. And there was lots of screaming and then whoops of happiness. Great fun though and a real adrenaline high. Was shaking lots after though, hehe.After this morning of high adrenaline, I still had my bungee jump to go. Arrived at the bridge and got weighed so they could work out the correct ropes n stuff to use. Then it was just a matter of waiting and watching others do their jumps while psyching myself up to do mine! There was a great atmosphere at the bridge, the air was buzzing with adrenaline. They had a stereo on that was thumping out club music which really helped to calm my nerves and get me pumped for the jump. Strangely enough when I got called and got strapped in and had all my safety checks I was really calm and looking forward to the jump. It was a beautiful day and the view of the rapids below was spectacular. I had to bunny hop to the edge of the platform (think walking the wooden plank, but having a hell of a lot further to drop - 111m!!!, lol) and then on the count of 5 jump with my arms out so i looked kind of like a bird gracefully flying downwards. It was absolutely fantastic but also terrufying at the same time. The exhileration and adrenaline pumps through your body. The rapids and water below start getting closer and closer until you think that the rope will never kick in and you'll end up crashing into the water! but it does and then you bounce up and down which kind of feels like doing the bungee all over again as you pretty much go back up as high as when you first started the jump. The only downside was that on one of my rebound jumps, the rope rebounded and hit my foot which was mega painful, and think it may have broken my little toe! Spent the rest of the afternoon hobbling around Victoria Falls admiring the outstandingly beautiful views. It is difficult to put into words just how magnificent they are! The shear volume of water flowing over the top of the waterfalls is vast and the sound is deafening. The water also creates so much spray that the sunlight combines with the mist particles and creates some beautiful rainbows which form arches over the falls. Absolutely beautiful! All in all the last few days have been some of the most fantastic of my life. I feel so lucky experienced so many new things and to have survived all the adrenaline! If you are one for living life on the edge then I definately recommend Victoria Falls!

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Comments

[sue tointon]

vic falls
You have more nerve than me - I certainly would have bottled it!! Walk with beautiful views and sunsets are more my thing. Hope your toe is not too painful. Love you millions Mum xxxxxxxxxxxxx