Greetings from the Jollyboy Backpackers Guesthouse. Long gone are the old days of backpacking - where amenities were basic and services on the light side. Here you have excellent Internet access (by sub Saharan Africa standards), a pool, full kitchen and a variety of falls and safari related activities to choose from. The backpackers lodge in Victoria Falls we stayed at even had several onsite masseuses! The "no man's zone" - the area between … [Read more...]
Enjoying Victoria Falls…as in the Waterfalls
Just like with the Iquazu Falls in South America where you can enjoy views from two countries (Brazil & Argentina), its the same here between Zimbabwe and Zambia. We entered the Falls National Park on the Zimbabwe side and surprisingly had the trails and viewpoints all to ourselves for the better part of 3 hours. These are among the world's greatest waterfalls - you can walk well over a kilometer to see their span. A highlight of a walk here … [Read more...]
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
We are loving the little town of Victoria Falls - US currency is the name of the game here - even the ATM's spit out US dollars. However, unlike the currency in the USA most of the bills here are blackened beyond believe - some bills are just tattered smears of smudge - even though they are only a few years old! One lady in a wheelchair told us to be very careful at night in regards to mosquitoes - she said she's had malaria so many times … [Read more...]
Flight from Jo’burg to Victoria Falls Zimbabwe
On BA operated Comair flight now from JO'berg to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. I asked FA what my choices were for lunch as the announcement as often is the case on these small aircraft was garbled and coupled with the flight noise was impossible to hear. Her answer was "they are delicious" - I asked again, "delicious" was the answer repeated. Oh boy - vegetarian lasagne was all I was given. Edible - that's all I will say. Certainly much better … [Read more...]
Iguazu Falls – March 2011
The Iguazu Waterfalls are among the most amazing waterfalls on the planet. Do not underestimate the time you need here - allow at least 1/2 day for the Brazilian side and at minimum a full day for the Argentina side. These falls are spread between the Brazil and Argentina border and extend up the Rio Iguacu several miles. The only similar waterfalls in comparison are Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The massive … [Read more...]
Gloria Huwiler: Actress
Huwiler stays busy through her works in film and theatre and also promoting African artworks through her exhibitions in both New York and Los Angeles. We asked her a few questions about her acting career, interest in art and travels. Q. I read in the current edition of "Los Angeles" magazine a quote from Susan Holmes, a model who is married to a former bassist from Gun N' Roses. She says - "Rock stars and models have a lot in common. … [Read more...]
A Few Words About Zimbabwe
The bus ride from Lusaka, Zambia to Harare, Zimbabwe lasted four hours longer than it should have (total trip was nearly 12 hours). We spent four hours at the border crossing, where everyone's belongings were examined, less for security and more to squeeze as much money as possible from undeclared goods. Baboons outnumbered travellers at the crossing and, having mastered the art of swiping food from unaware passengers, they seemed to want to be … [Read more...]
A Few Words About Zambia
Bugs. When I think of Zambia, I think of bugs. It started when a mysterious little creature bit Dani on the side of the head. We spent hours monitoring the swelling as it inched closer and closer to her eye, applying cortisone, and praying that we wouldn't have to go to the clinic. Thankfully, Dani's head didn't explode and the bite went way. Despite a mosquito net, our favorite bug repellent (Dani has a newfound love for chemicals), and … [Read more...]
Zimbabwe & Zambia: The Zim and Zam of Victoria Falls
Dear Friends, "I can't leave this place. Africa is in my heart'I love the unpredictability here; today we have food, tomorrow we might not". These were the musings of Ivor, a white Zimbabwean grocery store owner we met in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Ivor was one of the few white Zimbabwe citizens left after the country's strong-man president Robert Mugabe changed the constitution to allow himself unlimited terms and, in 2000, instituted a series of … [Read more...]