November 14th
While it is neither the highest nor the widest waterfall in the world, the Victoria Falls is classified as the largest, based on its combined width of 1,708 metres and height of 108 metres, resulting in the world's largest sheet of falling water. The Victoria Falls are roughly twice the height of North America's Niagara Falls and well over twice its width. To my mind the Iguassu Falls in Brazil are the most dramatic. To me the problem with Vic Falls is that the gorge makes it impossible to really see the size and scope of the falls
The river Zambesi's course is dotted with numerous tree-covered islands, which increase in number where the river approaches the falls. There are no mountains, escarpments, or deep valleys; only a flat plateau extending hundreds of kilometres in all directions. The falls are formed where the full width of the river plummets in a single vertical drop into a transverse chasm 1,708 metres wide, carved by its waters along a fracture zone in the basalt plateau. The depth of the chasm, called the First Gorge, varies from 80 metres at its western end to 108 metres in the centre. The only outlet from the First Gorge is a 110-metre-wide gap about two-thirds of the way across the width of the falls from the western end. The whole volume of the river pours into the Victoria Falls gorges from this narrow cleft.
We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before leaving the train at Victoria Falls at 9 am. We proceeded by coach for five minutes to the entrance of the Victoria Falls walkway. Then had 90 minutes to walk by ourselves along this with wondrous views of different parts of the falls, but with the heavy spray making photos difficult at times. Back at the rendezvous with a few minutes to spare we indulged in an ice cream - the boys tell me this was the only ice cream of the entire holiday..
It was just starting to rain as we got into the coach to take us for lunch at the Lookout Cafe. By the time we got there, the heavens had really opened, and despite being provided with an umbrella we were quite wet by the time we entered the cafe. The view was really something but we were not able to sit where we wanted. Then there were three horrific bursts of thunder. David, saw the flash by the entrance to the restaurant. Then the rain turned to hail, and the wind was such that all the tables in the large restaurant, were unusable. David decided that he did not want lunch at this stage and we sat on the sofa for a while, but were then informed that our 12.30 taxi was already available at 12 o’clock
But when we went out into the horrific rain and ventured through huge puddles to reach the taxi we found it was not yet there and we had to stand in these conditions for at least three minutes getting wetter and wetter. David and I were driven to the Victoria falls hotel where we picked up our suitcases and two other Rovos rail passengers. We got to the airport 1 o’clock and got swiftly through formalities. We took off after 3 pm for the 90 minute flight to Johannesburg where we were met by the hotel car. A 15 minute drive to Safari Lodge Hotel. This was a delightful old-fashioned hotel, reminiscent of African hotels 50 years ago. it had a charming garden with a minute Swimming Pool . Very pleasant, simple dinner in its old-fashioned restaurant
Click on any of the thumbnail photos for a larger version
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