Hey all, so following the Zambian side we moved on to Zimbabwe and saw the Falls from that side too! It was different in that the Zimbabwe side is a lot longer-it seems to go on a long time, and the views of it are all a lot closer! Again we got very wet but saw a couple of beautiful rainbows at the end. I think I preferred the Zambian side tho, just because it had the wow-factor and you could see it from different views!
We stayed in the resort town of Victoria Falls and altho the backpackers was very nice the town itself was a bit dead! There were too main streets and not much going on, apart from people approaching you to try and sell things...and yes I do now have an 100 trillion dollar note! Had a very nice massage at the backpackers and following another long bus trip we are now back in Windhoek, Namibia for 4 days before flying back to the UK on Friday.
Monday, 26 July 2010
Thursday, 22 July 2010
Vic Falls-Zambian Side
After 22 long hot hours on the bus we finally arrived in Zambia! It has been a little surreal cos in my head I never really planned on being Zambia. After dropping our stuff off at the backpackers we went into the town of Livingstone, named after the explorer, which was a real experience. We went through the market and everyone was approaching you trying to sell things or just to strike up conversation, selling all sorts of things like fruit, bangles, and trillion dollar notes! It was a bit intimidating at first but you soon get used to it, and I actually like Zambia a lot! The money is difficult to get used to tho-I took about 30 quid out of the cash machine, which translated to 200,000 kwecha-lots of cash!
Yesterday we went to the Zambian side of Vic Falls which was incredible! We went down into a jungle-like valley and after clambering across some rocks got our first view of the falls…it was difficult to see them properly with all the mist which was higher than the water itself and it was so high up, but it was amazing. We then got another view of it from the cliffs opposite the Falls, and then went to Knife Edge Bridge! Absolutely soaked but it was well worth it because it was right next to the Falls! It was an incredible experience, difficult to put into words and the photos really don’t do it justice. Well worth a visit!
Today we were canoeing on the Zambezi River, another thing I didn’t expect to be doing. It started slowly, but ended up being a really good day! The river is crocodile-infested, and we also saw hippos, another danger when you are just in a 2 man canoe. I was on edge most of the day, but it was very enjoyable, and on the drive back we saw baboons, giraffes, and elephants really close to the car-amazing!
Tomorrow we are going to Zimbabwe to see the other side of the Falls. Everybody seems to have a different opinion on which view of the Falls is best, so I look forward to seeing for myself.
Yesterday we went to the Zambian side of Vic Falls which was incredible! We went down into a jungle-like valley and after clambering across some rocks got our first view of the falls…it was difficult to see them properly with all the mist which was higher than the water itself and it was so high up, but it was amazing. We then got another view of it from the cliffs opposite the Falls, and then went to Knife Edge Bridge! Absolutely soaked but it was well worth it because it was right next to the Falls! It was an incredible experience, difficult to put into words and the photos really don’t do it justice. Well worth a visit!
Today we were canoeing on the Zambezi River, another thing I didn’t expect to be doing. It started slowly, but ended up being a really good day! The river is crocodile-infested, and we also saw hippos, another danger when you are just in a 2 man canoe. I was on edge most of the day, but it was very enjoyable, and on the drive back we saw baboons, giraffes, and elephants really close to the car-amazing!
Tomorrow we are going to Zimbabwe to see the other side of the Falls. Everybody seems to have a different opinion on which view of the Falls is best, so I look forward to seeing for myself.
Monday, 19 July 2010
Travelling 2
So from Upington we survived a 12 hour bus journey into Namibia, funny customs people at the border and after seeing a beautiful sunrise reached Windhoek early this morning! Have spent most of the day based at a cafe in a shopping mall-eating, chatting, playing cards and the like! We've also booked accomodation and a car for when we are back here in Windhoek next week which is good. In a couple of hours we will be back on the bus...this time for an epic 21 hours! which is guna be boring as anything but we have Vic Falls to look forward to at the end of it-woop woop!
Friday, 16 July 2010
Travelling!
So today we are in Bloemfontein...which wasn't part of the plan but is all good! We tried to go to Lesotho yday but the silly border control people didn't recognise Lena and Jakob's visas and thought they were illegal immigrants and wouldn't let them in! And me and Hannah were stamped to go in and didn't, so apparently were in SA illegally too! but hopefully we have got everything all sorted now-they have been to Home Affairs in Bloem and they say everything is ok it was a mistake of the border control...we shall see what happens when we get to the Namibian Border! So today we are off to Kimberley, visiting the great hole and spending the night there...and then onwards to the bus at Uppington! We travel onwards...
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Leaving PE
So tomorrow I am leaving PE to go travelling with Hannah, Lena and Jakob! Here follows a brief itinery...
14th leave PE – pick Jakob up in East London and stay in Aliwal North
15th Aliwal north to Lesotho
16th Lesotho
17th leave Lesotho and drive to Kimberly
18th Drive from Kimberly to Upington – drop the car and catch the bus to Windhoek at 6.30pm
19th arrive Windhoek 6.00 am and catch the bus to vic falls at 5.00pm
20th 2.00pm arrive in vic falls
21st vic falls
22nd vic falls
23rd vic falls
24th vic falls
25th leave vic falls at 11.00 am on the bus
26th arrive in Windhoek 5.00am
27th Windhoek – collect hire car num 2
28th Windhoek
29th Windhoek
30th airport flight at 9.45 am
This is the plan, but there has been road closures because of snow so we shall see how it goes...have a good couple of weeks y'all!
14th leave PE – pick Jakob up in East London and stay in Aliwal North
15th Aliwal north to Lesotho
16th Lesotho
17th leave Lesotho and drive to Kimberly
18th Drive from Kimberly to Upington – drop the car and catch the bus to Windhoek at 6.30pm
19th arrive Windhoek 6.00 am and catch the bus to vic falls at 5.00pm
20th 2.00pm arrive in vic falls
21st vic falls
22nd vic falls
23rd vic falls
24th vic falls
25th leave vic falls at 11.00 am on the bus
26th arrive in Windhoek 5.00am
27th Windhoek – collect hire car num 2
28th Windhoek
29th Windhoek
30th airport flight at 9.45 am
This is the plan, but there has been road closures because of snow so we shall see how it goes...have a good couple of weeks y'all!
Friday, 9 July 2010
Soccer Tournament
Today was the big soccer tournament for which our team has been training for! It was another early start, arriving at the pitch at 7am to help set up. It was mainly organised by Lena and other German volunteers, with VIPs from Germany and the Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation in South Africa coming to watch! The tournament itself was a great success, with four teams taking part-one our team from the Walmer Township, a team called the ACTP Stars from the Nelson Mandela Bay townships, one from Parkside Township in East London and one from Aliwal North! Unfortunately our team lost both it's matches, one due to a penalty in the match, and the other as a result of a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw! Losing the penalty shootout was inevitable due to our team wearing the England shirts I brought over with me! It was a very good day all round though and the boys played well and enjoyed themselves which was the most important thing. Even better is the news that Thobani is continuing with the team after the tournament, with another tournament for them to play in on 17th July!
Cape Town...
Ok so maybe I do a proper post about Cape Town now! I went on Sunday with Hannah and after a chilled 8-hour car journey with the lovely Stindt's we arrived in Table View, across the bay from Cape Town. We stayed with Nick and Sharon, a couple who have moved fairly recently from PE to set up a business there...they also have an adorable basset hound called Bailey! It was a very touristy trip, with visits to the Aquarium, Planetarium, the V&A Waterfront, Table Mountain and an open bus tour of the town and the surrounding area. We also drove to Boulders Beach and saw lots of penguins, went to the Cape of Good Hope and experienced the markets of Cape Town! Cape Town has a very good vibe and I very much enjoyed the few days I was there! I would like to go back sometime and climb Table Mountain rather than using the cable car!
Saturday, 3 July 2010
Holiday Club!
This week I have been busy with holiday club, more early starts but it is worth it! It has been very good fun-similar to holiday club at home in lots of ways...aerobics, dancing, a drama, memory verses, activities and games! Again I was in charge of the games each day which I have very much enjoyed! Building relationships with the kids has been fulfilling and enjoyable-it is amazing how they smile when you spend time with them and love them! I have really enjoyed doing holiday club and creative arts and I think I will miss it, and the children a lot! I pray that these two weeks will have a lasting impact on their lives, that they will know that they are special and loved, and will come to know God in a real way!
I have been a bit ill this week, spending most of Tuesday in bed, I think as a result of all the busyness and lack of sleep! But things are good-I went to the quarter final match between Brazil and Netherlands which was exciting and have still been doing some soccer coaching in the township! We had a friendly match today against another local team and we drew 1-1! It was a very good match and the boys played well, but still there are things to practice and work on before the tournament next week! Thobani the coach is doing a great job with them though! Tomorrow I am going to Cape Town with Hannah for a few days...I am looking forward to going up Table Mountain! Hope everyone at home is well and enjoying the good weather you have :-)
I have been a bit ill this week, spending most of Tuesday in bed, I think as a result of all the busyness and lack of sleep! But things are good-I went to the quarter final match between Brazil and Netherlands which was exciting and have still been doing some soccer coaching in the township! We had a friendly match today against another local team and we drew 1-1! It was a very good match and the boys played well, but still there are things to practice and work on before the tournament next week! Thobani the coach is doing a great job with them though! Tomorrow I am going to Cape Town with Hannah for a few days...I am looking forward to going up Table Mountain! Hope everyone at home is well and enjoying the good weather you have :-)
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