TechZati

January 4th, 1997

Yesterday, we decided to come to Zambia. It’s actually the 4th of January now. Getting organized in the morning, I got a Wimpy’s brekkie and loaded up for Zambia. Crossing the border, we hit a bummer deal. Terrance couldn’t get the car through. Apparently he didn’t have the right papers. So, I came on alone. I was about ready for the split anyway. So today, I saw Vic Falls in total. Swam around in the pools above the Falls, DREAMY. I bought a bunch of art work, haggling my ass off. It was great fun. Such a sense of accomplishment when you get a price down from $Z150 to $Z70 for two.

I’m going to try and meet Lisa and Terrance in Kariba, I decided. I’m not hearing rave things about Zambia. Thus comes the end of volume I of my world travels.

January 3, 1997

The BIG DAY! Running the Zambezi. Meeting at the Ilala Hotel, we got organized. It was the exact feeling you get when everything is as you hoped it would be. Going through the pleasantries we loaded up and headed down the gorge.

Zambezi River, Ilala Lodge. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Getting on the bus to the Zambezi River put-in

Hiking down was BEAUTIFUL! It was brutal straight down. When we got to the put-in there was no beach or ramp, but everything was done on the basalt rock. I paddled with a bunch of never ever English blokes and shaking my head at all the “typical questions.” There is definitely a Zamb river attitude from the guides. I got questions like “So, how does the Colorado River compare…” being the most common. I must say I had an incredible time. Flipping in rapid 8 was big. I feel much more comfortable with that aspect of guiding. I caught such a buzz from that trip.

Victoria Falls and the mighty Zambezi