1st July - To Victoria Falls.

The baboons were very stirred up this morning, the dominant male running about establishing order. This was because the troupe had suffered a death last night. The lions had come in the night and killed one of them. We heard the shrieking screams from our beds. Very exciting. Raina also heard an elephant fight.

Today was very much an in transit day, but we started off with a quick stop off to look at some monkeys from the boat. They are adorable. And we also saw our first decent sized croc. Like a proper sized one, which actually made Sarah happy as it confirmed that her fears and flat refusal to touch the water were warranted, there being monster crocs in the river.

As, I mentioned, today was in transit as we took the speedboat from the houseboat to the Namibian exit border, then across to the Botswanan entry, then a bus to the Botswanan exit and then to the Zimbabwe entry point. Zimbabwe immigrations is interesting in that you can not apply in advance for a visa, but need to buy it there on the spot. The queues were not short and not particular ordered. It seemed to be pushiest tour guide wins. We then let the Melbournian couple that had been on the houseboat with us jump in front of us, as they had a plane to catch and were running late.

Turns out this was an astounding act of fate, as the people in the line behind them were old friends. The people we sold Donnelly (one of Sarah’s ponies) to and who lived in Yass. Much changed with time, children grown close to eight years. But good old friends, at the Zimbabwe immigrations desk. Weird.

So we left there and headed off to Elephant Camp at Victoria Falls, where we were again going to be slumming it in a tent. We pulled up and two staff members were standing in the drive with wine glasses of iced tea waving. A hoard of men came to carry all out luggage down and we were ushered into the magnificent common area. Which technically is a tent. Though, it is mores then 50 meters long, 15 wide, stunningly furnished, complete with a bar and a deck that overlooks the watering hole at which we saw Kudu and Elephants at within the first two hours. We were liquored up and given a wonderful lunch. And ode to joy, given access to a decent internet connection. Fist time in a long time. News from home, time to update this blog a bit and for Sarah to get her uni results. (Two Distinctions and a Credit Andy, we thought you might like to know J).

And speaking of credit – “Thanks Crackers for sending Andy the blog!!!” And "Thanks" to Sarah Cox for putting up with the Shitty-Kitty!!

It was then down to our house – cannot call it a tent.  About 15 meters by 5ish.  Three room – massive bathroom, bedroom and sitting room. Plus an entry and a huge deck with a spa.  Told you we would be roughing it in tents.

Victoria Falls is basically an activity center built around the Falls.  You pretty well arrive  - hand over your credit card and bank account then go have fun! Much fun to be had in the next few days. 

But it was time for bed. Listening to "The smoke that thunders" from our beds.