Wow, I only have one month and 4 days left in Africa!! This vacation is just flying by!! I love it and everyone needs to vacation here!
On the last night in Malawi (Nov. 8th), we stayed in the capital, Lilonge. Everything was fine until I was headed to the tent for bed. The two dogs were acting funny around our tent so I knew something was going on but thought it was just being so close to the sewer hole. Bob shinned the light as I jumped in our tent a little freaked out. Jordan was already in so I felt better just being in the tent. As I put my head down on my pillow, I could feel something moving. I screamed that our tent had a heart beat. Jordan did not believing me until she put her hand on my pillow. Yes, there was something under our tent and right under where my pillow was. We pulled up the mat and Jordan started hitting whatever it was with her pillow. It just keep moving around but not leaving the tent area. Bob and Kathy were the only ones in tent city at this time and thought we were nuts with all the giggling going on. Finally, Jordan and I got out of the tent with the plan that one person moves the tent as the other watches for whatever was under the tent. Most of you that know me know just how loud I was as I got out of the tent. So I pulled the tent forward and Jordan watched as a little mouse ran fast to the nearby bushes. Yes, we had a mouse that escaped from the dogs under our tent!! Bob later told me that listening to us that night would be one of his memories he takes home.
On November 9th, we crossed the border into Zambia and stayed in the border town of Chimpati. The camp was very nice and we even got a work out in. Yes, we work out after long truck drives as you just cannot sit anymore! I don't think I realized just how big Africa is! We also got to stop on the side of the road for a bathroom break and to walk across the border into Mozambique. I don't know if I mentioned that it is totally legal just to potty on the side of the road. The boys go to one side of the road while the girls go to the other and always makes me feel like a new person.
The next morning we drove to a campsite right outside of South Luangwa National Park. The campsite and park were separated by the Luangwa River. From the bar, there were crocs and two pods of hippos just sunbathing and grazing in the river. We were only about a football field away. We were also instructed that animals always have the right of way. This meant that when you run into a lion or elephant on the campsite (that was not fenced in), you are to back away slowly and let them proceed. We had to remove all fruits from the truck to make sure the elephants did not get into the truck. We had no animal encounters and just hung out around the site for two nights. It was a very relaxing place. I also got to skype with my mom, Bella, Tas, Kayla, Ryan and Gavin which made me happy.
On November 13th, we stayed in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. The campsite had zebras just walking in so that was cool to see. It was the last night with our driver, Henry, so we made steaks and had rum trashcan punch with fruit. We stopped at a market and had subway for lunch (not the same as back home but nice to have lunch meat instead of PB&Js...yes we have lots of PB&Js to save money at lunch time!). We got to meet our new driver, Tim, and got a new truck. The truck is alright but we still have to get use to it. The seats are a little harder to sleep in so it will stink on long drive days. Tim seems to really enjoy his job which makes me excited.
On November 14th, we headed to Livingstone, Zambia where Victoria Falls is located. They have tons of adventures activities so it was hard to just pick a few.
Yesterday, we went white water rafting down the Zambezi River which runs in between Zambia and Zimbabwe. We rafted thru 25 rapids skipping rapid no. 9 due to it being a class 6. The water was warm and the rapids were huge! It was my first time white water rafting and it was a rush like never before! The entire raft flipped going down a class 5 rapid which made for an adventure. Our first rapid, we were stuck in it for a few minutes just swinging back and forth with one man overboard. I was the loud one screaming on the raft. They were joking that if they could not hear me that means that I had most likely drowned. About halfway thru, I got to boogie board down a class 4 rapid. The board was strapped to my arm, I had fins on, my helmet was on and a life vest. It was something that I never need to do again but that I recommend everyone doing once in their lifetime. It was crazy and the rapids were huge when you were in them! Mom - I think you would really like the boogie boarding as I can see you in Costa Rica while we were surfing!! Another scary part of the Zambezi River is the crocs just sitting on the side of the river. Seeing and knowing they are all around is just crazy as we were able to jump out and swimming around. At the end, we were running down a sand hill and jumping into the river. I got running a little to fast and ended up face planting into the river...I think it is on video. My entire body is sore from rafting and my knee got a little bruised up but completely worth it!!
Today (Nov. 16th), we are headed to Livingstone Island for high tea and jumping into Devils Pool!!
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