We’re a long way from here….
So I know that our day of waterfall showers and baboon defense didn’t exactly qualify as arduous expedition, but we wanted to spend the subsequent evening relaxing and letting someone else do the orienteering for a change. The great thing about Zambia is that it really is a tourist’s paradise- there are loads of activities on hand for every level of slackerly tourist- but for us, we decided that a sunset river cruise would make a perfect nightcap.
We got picked up at our very budget Jollyboys Camp and were then taken to what is probably the highest-end lodging accommodation in Livingstone. Once there, we paid our sixty bucks and boarded the Lady Livingstone- one of several sunset cruise boats where I was assured that we wouldn’t be surrounded by drunken teenagers. Ahem, I would only like to interact with drunken adults on this tour, please….
Once embarked, I walked to the stern to see what I could see behind us. If you look on the waterline, you can check out the angry spray of the Falls. I know that we’re going to enjoy an open bar on this magical Carnival Cruise Liner- but might I hope that we get underway and transit against the current? I mean, I remember what happened to that stupid kid in Superman II. That kid should have been taught a real lesson…
Up forward, you can see that the Zambezi is as smooth as glass- so much so that if someone were traveling the river sans clue, they’d be in for some real heart stopping excitement once you got to the water’s edge.
Speaking of excitement, these ultralights were soaring over our heads as we cruised down the river. I told you that there is loads to do around here- but for me, I’m happy to install myself in a chair and have someone bring me cold drinks.
Furthermore, I don’t think you can hold a glass with much ease if you’re clutching that motorized kite-looking thing: “Hey, careful, man, there’s a beverage here!”
As we progressed along on our road to wherever, the staff served specks of food and told us about the wildlife hanging out by the banks. There are buffalo out there in this photo- and each time something was spotted the ship’s captain brought us close to the shoreline to allow for a closer look. I will be honest in saying that I was probably more interested in spacing out and gazing at the evening colors- but this educational aspect was a great addition. Surely someone was paying attention.
Jan and I on up the second deck in what was my only go at trying to spot some of the creatures having an evening drink by the river. We met some very kindly drunken adults up here who were happy to snap a photo of us.
Again, I’m not trying to piss you off- but this cruise was about as relaxing as you can get. Nothing like the multiple month sails that I get to enjoy on those big gray steel boats.
I think there’s some sort of animal commentary going on, but I’m not paying too much attention. Jan catches me wandering about the boat to places where all of the people aren’t milling about. Besides, the sun’s going down, and there’s more interesting things to look at up forward.
It’s a sunset cruise, so of course this part of the outing does indeed capture my attention. We transited the length of an little island bisecting the Zambezi and then loiter in the water amongst a couple other booze boats to watch Mother Nature’s nightly coup de grace.
Most of you don’t know Jan, but she is a great lifelong friend. I first met her back when I was a clueless ensign – and now that I am a clueless mid-grade officer, she has become become like family.
Goodbye amazing Zambian day.
On our way back to the dock, we still can’t stop photographing the sky. I have a ton of photos from this trip that I am having difficulty deleting from my photo album. The funny thing is that I think they all probably look exactly the same.
The end of the day and you can see another booze cruise loitering by our boat. I think that this was the drunken teenager cruse.
It’s getting dark, and soon we are back and stepping off onto the dock and still admiring the view. There’s no such thing as a bad sunset.
So I know that my slide show of a 1970s-colored eventide wasn’t terribly exciting, nor was it particularly interesting for all of you who don’t know me or my friend Jan. But I think that all of you can appreciate natural beauty as much as the rare opportunities where you get to reunite with people you care about. While this modest cruise yielded gorgeous views of an African sunset, I will say that the best part came while sitting at a table and enjoying precious time where we could catch up- or better yet- simply enjoying moments of mutually restorative silence that can only be experienced with the people you love. These are the moments in life that seem to get fewer and farther between.
And before we know it, the next morning we are up in the air again and waving goodbye to the Zambezi and her thundering majesty The Victoria Falls.
There she is, the river that hosted us so perfectly last night. We’re moving on, and ready for more adventures!
