I Heart Zimbabwe

When I started this trip to Southern Africa, I had no idea what to expect, having little knowledge of the region or its people. Joe and I made a "wishlist" of the animals we hoped to see, and whittled down our list of must-do activities so the allotted month of precious vacation time was used wisely and to its full advantage. Before we even began the trip we had to talk ourselves out of a quick trip to Lake Malawi and Joe had to talk me down from a quick flight over to Madagascar to look at monkeys (but it's only right there--we'll be so close, Joe!) Again the lament: Why oh why can't our lives be more vacation and less work?

So with little knowledge of what to expect from the countries, the people, the environment, the animals, we set off, and have been nothing short of amazed and delighted at every turn. Since I have not once had the opportunity to post a blog from the road, I am far behind and find myself now on the cusp of my last week of vacation--already--and as the internet connection is temperamental like most faraway foreign places (and considering we are a good 30 minutes up a horrendous dirt road away from Lusaka, Zambia, i am surprised we have wireless at all) I will only share my new love for Zimbabwe, its land and its people.

We have spent the last 8 days on a canoe safari on the Mighty Zambezi river (the very same river I took several unplanned swims in while rafting its raging waters a couple of weeks ago) with 2 of the coolest, nicest, most friendly and most hilarious guides ever, Cloud and Elijah. The first 3 days we also had a European couple with us, both very nice, but they left and Joe and I carried on for another 5 days with just the guides. We saw everything from lions resting on the bank after a morning feast, baboons socialising with elephants, a kudu (type of antelope) that nearly kicked a warthog as it lept over him, thousands of carmine bee eaters (beautiful bright red and blue birds that nest in holes along the riverbank), to hundreds and hundreds of hippos and big fat crocodiles that we had to dodge in our canoes so we wouldn't tip over and become lunch. Fantastic wildlife and scenery beyond amazing, this taste of Zimbabwe came after we'd spent time in Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park.

The people of Zim, from cab drivers to lodge owners to guides to people on the street are friendly, smiling, helpful and polite. I have never been waved to so much in my life, and that simple gesture is enough to put a smile on your face the rest of the day, especially when it comes from everyone you meet, whether on foot or in a car. Smiles beam out from everyone you meet as well, no matter if they are living in some far-flung, thatched hut village or the city, there is no one person in Zimbabwe that has had even a downcast look cross their face, including the cab drivers, which in itself is amazing!

There is too much to say here, and with dodgy internet, flies buzzing all around and my cider getting warm, I will leave it at that. I mean no disrespect to Zambia, South Africa, or Botswana, and I still wait to see what Swaziland has to offer, but Zimbabwe, I heart you. Forever.

Africa, Here We Come

Now's the time. We are headed to a new continent (for me) and 5 new countries (for us both).  Ready to to forget about work and phones, emails and post, and excited to tear up the passports with new stamps and visas,  to check out the "Big 5" in their natural habitats, and experience the world beyond our door.

First stop, London for lunch and pints. By Saturday afternoon we'll be on safari in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe.

Hoping to post some photos and entries along the way. Here's the area we'll be traipsing around:

Watch out Africa, here we come!