Two beauties and the devil



They call it the Devil's Pool because only the devil is retarded enough to swim and lean at the very edge of one of the largest and highest waterfalls in the world. I had read online about the death of one tour guide that plunged over the edge a few years ago and thought “whoa” When they said only the brave attempt to swim the Devil’s Pool  however I thought “THAT SOUNDS LIKE FUN.” I read one blog that mentioned a threat of running into crocodiles and hippos at the top of the waterfalls and I thought blah blah blah I’m going.
I called my trusted friend: Let’s go and swim with the devil in Zambia friend. They say people have died there and there are crocodiles and stuff. I think we should go

Rain over Zambexi

Have I mentioned neither of us can swim for sht? AHAHAHAHA

We flew in a day early and did the typical tourist activities. The cruise in the Zambezi river. I had bungeed at the Vic Falls in 2011 but it felt different this time. I was with a fellow daredevil. We complement each other very well. We need nobody to bring fun to us. WE are the party. We could not have travelled 11 countries within 3 years together if this was not the case.

Fast forward to the cruise. Africa has got the most beautiful sunsets. LOOK.AT.THIS

 






















                                                         ZAMBEZI SUNSET




We met a couple that still haunts me to this day.


Disclaimer: I verified the details of what I’m about to discuss so please don’t come at me. Rather argue with your armpit you’ll get better results
We met a very odd looking couple. A young man from Zimbabwe, not older than 28. Tall; dark; tiny and hardly said a word throughout the cruise. He was there with an Australian lady, not younger than 60. She was rather unkempt no bra; no shoes but shook what her momma gave her. Her mammary glands reached her waist man but hey she was just having a good time. She’d stick her tongue in this young man’s mouth every now and then and he’d shyly look around afterwards. We weren’t sure why he looked around like the entire boat was not already staring.  I did not want to assume things but they made me uncomfortable. They reminded me of that movie Get Out. Google it. I thought of foreigners coming into Africa for centuries at times settling here and claiming African minerals as theirs. We can talk about all the former colonies if you want. Nowadays most foreigners come to Africa to get thrills in spaces where nobody will recognise and judge them. If you’ve lived in Cape Town or have been to any of the music festivals across Africa you’ll know what I’m talking about. I’m not in any way defending willing Africans but define “willing” when your only other option is going to bed hungry.


Anyway let people have a good time. We had lots of fun on that cruise. Look how beautiful we are
 
Til Lack of money for holidays do us part

We got up early the next day for the swim. It rained a little and we immediately thought how the rain would affect the pool, we can’t swim as it is. Yours truly had a 2 piece bikini like I don’t already have issues with my bloated waistline. The request was to not have anything to eat until after the photoshoot cos come on, I didn’t want a big belly ruining my pics. Noz being a good sport as always obliged LOL! So no we had nothing to eat until after the visit at the pool dear reader **chews barbwire**
We posed like our stomachs were not barking profanity. Chest out, stomach in!!!

Our tour guide Mr Goodwill did all this beautiful work. There’s nothing worse than offering to be photographer to two women


He took the camera as soon as we left the change rooms and never allowed us to touch it again. He was so unfriendly LOL! Listen he’d make you pose the way HE wanted and for as long as HE wanted. As soon as he’s done with you he’d do a hand gesture and go “next” and that was the cue for the next person to pose
Look at the pictures below, he made us sit here. The current was so strong I could feel my bikini slipping down my thighs. Don’t be fooled, that laughter is us sharing this joke and thinking I was gonna walk back with half the bikini. 















                                                 MAYDAY MAYDAY

HELP !!!!
He kept the camera with him until we got back to the change rooms. It was only then that he cracked a smile.
I figured his unfriendly demeanour is to discourage you from getting familiar and asking to take pics yourself, posing danger to yourself and others. We all know what it takes for that “perfect shot.” We get so caught up in the moment. I have walked into a glass door before so have you.


The swim was followed by the best breakfast EVER!!!  right there in the jungle. We had fresh baked muffins; homemade bread and eggs benedict. I ate like a cow getting ready for sale. Hey I finally exhaled, my Gawd!!!

Swimming at the edge of Victoria Falls was absolutely exhilarating AND insane. I would definitely do it again

Highlights/Lowlights/Observations

1.      There was no money in the Zimbabwean ATMs. They gladly accept ZAR and USD but come on I never imagined there’d be no money in the ATMs. Hello the entire world said things would change upon departure of President Mugabe. Investors would flock in and all that but here we were at the world’s natural wonder where tourists from all continents converge and boost the economy yet there’s no money in the ATMs.





2.      Border between Zimbabwe/Zambia. The amount of admin it takes moving between these gates is beyond ridiculous. We landed in Livingstone and lived on the Zimbabwe side of the waterfalls. The cruise was on the Zambian side meaning we crossed the border three times that day. The Devil’s pool is in Zambia, once again we crossed the border twice that day. My God we need African Union to break borders AND give us one passport for free movement. I paid more than $100 for Nigerian VISA and hey Burundi is $90. Come on man what the hell?


3.      Braving the pool with this girl. God could not have found me a better travel partner. Let’s drink to the next country soon

4.      Finally the gentlemen that sang Ladysmith Black Mambazo – Nomathemba for me. This is in the top 50 of my most favourite compositions. I smiled throughout this performance




Soundtrack

Every trip has a soundtrack AND local beer as is customary



Diamante – Randy Crawford/Zucchero was our “song song” as Wilson B would say



To the people of Zimbabwe Ndinotenda and thank YOU for reading


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