While in Zimbabwe, we went to visit Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall in the world. By largest I do not mean the widest (which would be Iguassu on the Brazil-Argentina border) nor do I mean the highest (which would be Angel Falls in Venezuela) nor do I mean the most visited (which would be Niagara Falls on the US/Canada border). By largest I mean the amount of water that falls over the precipice. More water falls from the Zambezi River into the white water area below than in any other place on the globe. The falls itself is not completely visible from any one spot. It is seen in bits and pieces as one strolls along a path on an escarpment opposite the falls. Unlike the rest of the surrounding area, tropical foliage is thick along the edge of the cliff due to its proximity to the falls and the mist that naturally waters the land. Here and there along the hard dirt path lookouts have been formed so that you see varous views of the water crashing over the edge. You cannot, however, see the bottom of the waterfalls because of the mist.
We were there during the period of the most water. I thought that would be a good time to go so we would see a more powerful water display, but we discovered that the more water there is, the more mist there is to obscure the view. The clouds of mist from the waterfall go hundreds of feet into the air. We were able to see it from the air when we arrived. The original African name for them was "the smoke that thunders."original
While walking on that path, the water from the falls can, at times, cause an actual rain shower. While experiencing one such rainfall, I snapped a photo of Laura in the rain. You can see the heavy shower in the photo. They did issue rubber raincoats to us, but both Laura and I thought the cooling effect of the rain felt good on a hot afternoon so we lugged the coats around with us.
There is a spot where one can walk down over 100 stairs to get a view from the bottom, but on the day we were there the spray from the falls obscurred the view. I know not because I walked down the slippery steps,but because I waited about twenty steps down until someone came back and said there was no view.
Vic Falls is one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and quite an amazing sight, different from either Iguassu or Niagara, and splendid in its own way.
After viewing the falls, we drove into the bush to see a humongous baobab tree. I can't remember if it was the oldest or the biggest, but we drove quite a way to see it. Along the way we came across a couple of hikers who had reached a spot where some elephants right on the road wouldn't allow them to pass. When our van drove up, the elephants moved away, and the hikers started to walk, but the pachyderms weren't about to allow that. After several starts and stops on the part of the hikers, the young people decided the best way to pass the elephants was to walk alongside of the van. They, of course, walked on the side opposite the elephants.
