Ella's visit, part 2

We headed into Kasane to see Victoria Falls and hang out in Zambia.

When we got to the backpackers, we realized it was a full moon.

At high water, a full moon at Victoria Falls means you might be able to see something really special. So we went at night.

And hung around for a while waiting for the moon to come out from behind some clouds.

 And we were rewarded with one of the coolest things I've ever seen: a lunar rainbow.

So amazing.

While we were in Livingstone, we saw a big youth rally for Holy Week, with youth from several different African countries.

We stayed at Jollyboys backpackers in a fun dorm.

Jollyboys is such a cool place.

Complete with cute guys from foreign countries showing off for the ladies.

We went to a 60 stall craft market.

Ella talking with a seller.

Ella haggling with a seller.

Ella has bartered her shawl for a bracelet...

As well as her socks! :D

We had lots of good cousin hangout time.

After attempting to watch the sunset from the loft at Jollyboys.

We then headed back to Kasane, hung out with my friend Kristin who lives there, and had lunch one more time at The Old House. When I took a picture of this warthog, 2 older men who used to be guides started talking to me and we wound up chatting for over 2 hours about guiding, wildlife, and how they want to open their own business doing game tours on their land. Made some new friends and picked up a potential project for the volunteer that lives near them.

Thanks Mr. Warthog!

Vacation Part 5: Victoria Falls

On July 18th we crossed into Zambia by boat. Where the Zambezi and Chobe rivers meet is where 4 African countries meet as well: Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. We got to 3/4 :)

We checked in at the JollyBoys Backpackers and headed to the falls on the Zambia side.

And this is at relatively low water!

The famous bridge over the gorge downstream of the falls. We crossed it going into Zim.

Mom and me.

Carol 'I'm never excited about anything' :D

Amazing.

Appropriately named rainbow falls.

Mom at rainbow falls.

Our cute little room at the backpackers, with me under my personal mosquito net.

The next day we sprung for a helicopter ride over the falls. It was totally worth it, its the only way to see the whole thing at once because its so big!

During the rainy season its hard to actually SEE the falls because there is so much mist.

Definitely one of the natural wonders of the world.

After the helicopter we crossed into Zimbabwe for the day to see the falls from that side. 

Mosi-ou-tunya: The smoke that thunders

Ate in a yummy restuarant on the Zim side- mom with her beautiful salad.

Random warthogs roaming around near the restaurant.

Zim side falls- I think this was the 'main falls'.

Magnificent.

Mom dressed appropriately for the occasion.

I'm at Vic Falls!

More rainbows on the Zim side too.

We crossed back into Zambia after watching some people bungee jump into the gorge (on the bridge above).  Overall we roamed around Livingstone a bit, ate some Zambian food that was delicious, and enjoyed the backpackers. We crossed back into Botswana on the 20th, and went for the 3rd game drive in Kasane on the 21st (where we saw the leopard!) before flying to Capetown that afternoon.

Part 6 of the Vacation was Capetown, coming soon!