Departing from Bulawayo, we headed northward toward the town of Victoria Falls…the home of one of the 7 natural wonders of the world! We spent most of the day in the mini-van …occasionally catching a glimpse of an elephant here or a pair of giraffes there. Along the way, we came across a prime specimen of Baobab tree pictured below. We also stopped for another compulsory shoe dip…and this time the police officer on duty gave me permission to take a photo.
Once we checked into our “big city” hotel, we booked some special activities for our 2 day stay there. I opted to take the sunset dinner cruise on the Zambezi that evening and the “Boma dinner show” the next night…. and would see the famed Victoria Falls the next day, of course! I left the helicopter ride and white-water rafting to my fearless 23 yr. old Aussie tour mate, Kirsty. (Btw…she reported that Falls generate so much spray that you can’t see them from the air and the turbulent class 5 rapids are guaranteed to dump you into the cold river water!)
Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my camera on the sunset cruise… but my memories of that evening are vivid. Picture this: a small double-decker boat accommodating ~ 20 passengers equipped with 4 formally- set tables; a full bar (all drinks included); warm hors d’oeuvres served before dinner; and your choice of 3 gourmet entrees (inc. a veggie one). The meal was topped off with a scrumptious dessert and after-dinner drinks. All this “luxury” while we slowly motored down the smooth-as-glass Zambezi …watching for hippos that often haul out of the water at dusk onto the small islands along our way. And the sunset was spectacular to boot! Everyone seemed to feel totally ‘at peace’ while cruising down the river…or maybe it was all the liquor! (The photo below was taken by Robert, one of my Aussie tour buds.)
In contrast, the experience at the Boma dinner show the next night was anything but peaceful! The word “boma” refers to a make-shift structure used in the bush to keep something in (goats, cattle) and something out (predators). In this case, it was an enclosure for corraling paying customers like me!
Upon entering the large circular thatched-roof structure, we all donned colorful African cloth wraps and were invited to join the dancers gyrating to the sound of native music. After a little dancing, we were lead across the spacious multi-level room to our table where the wait staff promptly brought tall, cool libations and “exotic” hors d’oeuvres . While the 200+ guests waited for the multiple buffet lines to open, a face-painter made the rounds and transformed my countenance with an artistic image of an acacia tree. The quantity & array of food was mind-boggling…including dozens of delicious veggie & fruit salads, a long table filled with tempting desserts and another big section where “game meat” and such delicacies as “roasted insect larvae’ were served. I skipped that one!
During dinner and well into the night, the center stage area featured acts by various performers- a continuous retinue of drummers, singers & dance troupes- all wearing brightly-hued native garb & giving incredibly energetic performances. Just watching was exhausting!
When we had our fill of both food & entertainment, we wended our way past the stage toward the door…but were intercepted by a shaman offering to “toss the bones” (actually shells) for us. Who could pass up an opportunity like this…so agreed to let him tell our fortunes in this unique way. Good news! My future looks bright, probably owing to the generous “donation” I put in his bowl!
Dab's Travelogue 