The Best Water Park in the World (sorry Schlitterbahn)

HOLY CRAP. H-O-L-Y -- C-R-A-P.

Two words: Victoria. Falls. Then, after that, I have no words. No other words than "holy crap."
...
Okay I have more words, but oh my gosh Victoria Falls was amazing. I went nine years ago with my family when my Grandpa took the whole family on a safari, but visiting the falls was so much different than last time. Last time I remember climbing up big giant cement steps and taking pictures much too close to the falls, but I do not remember getting soaked or really being close to the falls, maybe being just slightly misted. On THIS trip to the falls, we were soaked, immersed, drenched, literally turned into liquid (figuratively). Thank goodness one the Hardings had an extra poncho or I would possibly not be writing this blog (that was dramatic, but possibly accurate).

Panos are the bomb

We all arrived and started down the path to the falls with the sound of thundering rain growing louder and louder in our ears with every step forward. Finally coming to the first clearing, we hastily put our ponchos on as we watched others returning from the path we were about to go down completely obliterated with water dripping from every inch of their bodies and hair clinging to their faces. Then, as we went down the different paths to see the falls from different vantage points, we got drenched in increasing degrees.

Wildcats for life

Through the mist we could barely make out the falls and as we went over the bridge we stepped into a mini hurricane. Joining hands, we ran across it as best as we could in chacos and while being essentially blind. Reaching the other, equally green, and slightly drier side, we could see the other bridge and make out a bit of the falls and I turned with my back to the falls to snap this picture somehow without dropping my phone.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Victoria at my back

Essentially it was a giant water park, but one of the cleanest. And people were modestly dressed. And the water was super cold. And it was also like being inside an Indiana Jones film. Again, essentially, awesome and one of the funnest days I have had so far (granted we have been here for like two days).

Victoria Falls was super fun and we got to bond with our Ole Miss pals and our new Hardings pals while enjoying one of the world's natural wonders of the world. After taking our impromptu falls showers, we hiked up to the top of the falls and saw the rapids. I almost fell in (just kidding Mom). Kelsey and I took a picture with our Flat Stanley Morgan since she was bummed she was going to miss out on all the bonding between me and Kelsey.

Kelsey, me, and Jeanie

I present, Wild Miss (Wildcats + Ole Miss)

Discussing picture-taking tactics

There's Morgan there in the middle

Pano of the top of the rapids

MAN DOWN - SEND HELP - SOS

Right before we left, a handful of us tried to make a quick hike down to the bottom of the falls, but did not quite make it. We blame the delay on the conundrum of what to do when a baboon is literally in the middle of your path. Madeline, Ole Miss pal, decided taking a scenic route in front of it and getting a tree stuck on her leg was the best decision.

Killer monkey...

After the falls, we went shopping around the little markets, ate lunch (super cheap and super delicious sushi, what?), rested at the hotel for a bit, and then went back to the falls to catch the lunar rainbow that evening. Yes, I did say lunar rainbow. And yes, it was pretty cool. We got there at 6:00pm and were there waiting until about 8:00pm. The lunar rainbow is something that happens once month as the full moon reflects the sun's light out and over the falls, illuminating everything and lighting up the rainbows with moonlight.

Just sitting, waiting, wishing

PSA: Taken from the view screen of an actual cool camera, not from the iPhone

It was very cool to watch happen gradually. As we waited we and our Ole Miss pals talked about everything under the sun [moon] from Focus on the Family films (the one with the leprechaun behind the waterfall cave, appropriately named, Behind the Waterfall, you remember do not lie) to singing any and all cliche CoC and camps songs we could think of that have to do with water or light. It was a fantastic night. After that we went back to the hotel, caught an extremely late supper at the hotel, and went to bed. Sunday we got up semi early and made our two hour bus trek to the Haven (and we made it), but that update shall come later.

End scene.

Until next time,

Mallory, or in Afrikkan, "Mallory"