Zambian Mini-break (over the River!)

Around 2 weeks ago now, as usual feels like yesterday, I found myself being whisked off for a one night Birthday mini-break over the river, over the border - this time in Zambia!

Crossing the Zambezi by boat, we arrived in Zambia mid-morning. Our fellow tourists crossing the border were vuvuzela-toting World Cup visitors, in between matches and quarter finals! They were fitting in a couple of trips to neighbouring countries before dashing back to South Africa to watch the rest. We encountered other tourists in the border post offices, enjoying half price Zambian visas, by showing their world cup tickets - this was a great gesture on behalf of the Zambian authorities, and I have to say I have seldom seen them in such a good mood!

Here is a car-wash, Zambian style - right in the Zambezi river! (Botswana can be seen on the other side).

The David Livingstone Safari Lodge is a beautiful place, right on the banks of the river, and within view of the awesome 'Smoke that Thunders' - the fabulous Victoria Falls being just downstream from here.

In the next picture you can see the "Smoke" in full spray. Who can look at that and not imagine what it must have been like to catch sight of the Falls for the first time... This is the view from the deck where we had lunch.

After a most indulgent riverside luncheon and lazy afternoon, we boarded the 'Lady Livingstone' for a sunset cruise upriver. With the Falls behind us, we settled in with the ridiculously attentive staff materialising with drinks and snacks seemingly on tap.

We were intrigued about the fact that one of our fellow travellers on the upper deck of this boat just happened to have a camera crew trailing him, and that a few people were starting to appear, asking to be photographed next to him.

Apart from the fact that he was extremely gorgeous looking, we had no idea what sort of a celebrity he was, so I had to find out... our ignorance of all things American Football related was duly revealed, and we enjoyed a great evening with him and a couple of others - all in mid-World Cup festivity mood!

For him, it was his last day before starting his serious training and strict healthy regulations were due to kick in. For me, it was the eve of my birthday. For everybody else it was an excuse to order strange concoctions from the obliging bar staff, and generously distribute them among the group. Weirdly, as the sun went down we all became keen Chilean soccer supporters despite being a bunch of South Africans, Americans, Canadian-ex-Africans, and Estonians! I know the Chileans were on board somewhere but I don't think I actually ever met them on the boat trip?!!

Yes, couldn't resist a group photo. Maybe some of my blog readers are less ingorant than us!!

A wonderful dinner for two was had after our mad boat cruise, and the next day I was very touched to be delivered with a special birthday cake by the staff at breakfast. The upstairs restaurant has a beautiful view out  over the river.

This tall Mopane tree was spotlighted by the morning light.

I have to confess that I had really grand intentions of getting up really early and going down to the Falls and wandering around, as we have not actually been to the Falls for a couple of years. However, the accumulation of the hilarious boat cruise (Vamos Chile!) and the dinner and late night seriously put paid to these lofty ambitions, and we elected to relax (recover?)until it was time to head back over the river.

Here is a veiw of the ferry arriving on the Botswana side. We avoided the ferry, and went on a private transfer instead.  It is amazing how a one night visit can restore and refresh. I am a huge fan of the Mini Break, which in our rather crazy and fast paced life always feels like a full on holiday! 

Back to the 'real' world, and a frenetic couple of weeks have ensued, due to being fascinated by Wimbledon tennis, World Cup soccer, and very involved in the (happy) madness of our business life... No time for blogging, alas, till now.

I am extremely ready for another mini-break, as ever, and no doubt will share some more of our travels pretty soon! To all reading this, I wish you a wonderful weekend, as ever!!