Monday, March 12, 2012

Zebra's in the Night ....

We have been out here for several months and we have missed celebrating special events, you know things like our Anniversary, Christmas, Arlene's birthday, Valentines Day, you know the little things. We were told by our leaders that we really need to take a minute every now and then to stop and look at the things around us. We need to remember that we are in Africa and there are things we should see. I have counseled with all of our senior couples that they need to take a couple of days out every three months or so and get away. Well it was our time last week to follow that counsel. It only took me 8 months to get up and go do it. We drove over to Victoria Falls, it's about a 5 hours drive from Lusaka. 
The roads are good and the country is beautiful. We stayed at a place right next to the Falls, the "Zambezi Sun" it was really nice. It is a very popular place to stay, Lots of people from all over the world. When we arrived we were greeted by the local greeting committee from the "Leya People" they were dressed in the local dress of their tribe, reminiscent of the time Dr. Livingstone found them. They sang and danced for us, it was really neat.
The hotel is located on 120 acres right next to the Falls. We even had wild animals on the property. The pictures below are just a sample of the ones we took. 
We really had a good time. I didn't realize how tired I was until later on. This assignment is a "marathon" not a sprint. I'm glad that I know how to run slow. One step at a time, for a long time. We will be going out on a mission tour this next week. It will take us all over the mission again. We will be glad to hold conference and trainings with our local leaders and our missionaries. We will do another blog when we return. There is a lot  going on here. We are busy once again. It never stops. We like it like that! We miss you all, we are happy and safe.
xoxo
M&A


Local "Leya" tribesmen at the hotel.

Nice look....

These guys were great fun, every time we went in and out the sang and danced for us.

What a babe....

 You know how much she enjoys pictures...

Check in....nice.

On the way to the pool.


The place is really big....
  
Pool was warm....

The rooms were small but nice....


You look right out the window into the jungle.

Birds and monkeys right out the door.
 We went out to explor, this sign was right to the left of our front door. The sign was no joke!

He had lots of his friends near by......
 Stay "queenie"

 The path from our room, the Croc sign is just to the left.

On the way to the Falls.

The only word is, "WOW!"

It was super....

When the wind shifs, you get soaked!







The "mist" or as Arlene called it, " Down Pour" was awesome!


This is the bridge that people "bungi" jump from......no thank you!

This is also the bridge that seperates Zambia & Zimbabwe.

This is just the other side of the Falls.

The water is really fast going down the gorge.



We walked back around and I found a spot to take a picture just as the water goes over.
 Honey....look...honey, where are you? 

Sweet!


 Can you hear her? I still can!

 And yes, I got in trouble....

I took the pictures just on that small rock to the left of this picture, it went straight down from there.

We went out on the really cool boat on the Zambezi River.
 We were just off the shore when we saw our first Hippo's .....

As we got closer they let us know to back-off!!

In this first group there were about 10 or so ....

Really neat!!



Later on we went to this small island in the middle of the river for an picnic ...

We stayed on the boat while our guide Peter went to check for Crocodiles .....he really did check .....
  
We were just up the channel from the Falls, you can see the mist in the background.


I promise there are no Croc's ..... you notice that it was OK for me to go look ....

Really, I promise .....

You notice that we didn't have chairs.....our guide said it makes it easier to run 
when your standing up......
 Yum, chicken on the Zambezi ....

This was taken just the other side of where we ate lunch, dark and scary.

Not Arlene ....the jungle ...



After lunch we took off down towards the Falls.

He got really close....



The monkey's were everywhere.




When we got back to the hotel we were greeted by the local heard of Zebra's.
They were just passing through.







 We followed them into the jungle.


And then it was time to go .....

These were nest's out over the water, they were full of bright yellow birds.

We went on a game drive the next day.

Impala's....just like the Car .... 

 More Zebra's and giraffes.


Home to many Croc's...


I am not going down there.......what a smile....yes dear.....

On the way back we met three armed men at the check point. they told us that they were 
there to protect the White Rhino's.
 They asked if we would like to go out in the bush and see them. 
I thought we were in the bush ....

So we went with them....


It sounded something like this....We will walk single file, you must not make any noise.
I will lead you, lady go next, then you. My friend will watch the rear. Stay
very close, walk fast......

And away we went....
 Nice AK47 ....
 No path, just walk.....

And were walking .....

How far is this?

And there they were....Mom, Jr. and the baby.... 

We were this close....


It was super....I know where is your hat......

And then Dad showed up....he was really big! He just looked at us and snorted.

 Then we backed away...

Really cool....


 You just can't make this stuff up....


Yes, it was hot and you just can't believe how many bugs and stickers we found on us ...
 Oh look dear, another Giraffe...

The Zebra's came back after dinner and spent the night on our front lawn...


Sun coming up over the Falls. The African words are,
"Mossi Oa Tunya" or the Mist that Thunders.


We love you all. We miss you. Please come and join us here. We need all of you senior couples to come and serve with us. It is a blast.

xoxo
M&A

7 comments:

  1. Wow! Love it, what an adventure. It's so good to see you and Arlene having a good time. It's also good to see you two in your "normal" clothes! I love the hotel, that looked like great fun. Keep up the good work!

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  2. So jealous!! It has always been a dream of mine to visit Africa, specifically Victoria Falls. And I WOULD bungee jump off that bridge! So good to keep up with you both :)

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  3. In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight. Arlene's all wet. Sorry sis, I couldn't help it. Love ya. You two keep up the amazing work that you are doing. Love all the pictures, also. God bless and keep you both safe.

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    Replies
    1. Aunt Sherry! Who knew that when you were kids that song would really come to pass! I love it! We as kids used to sing that to her too!
      So funny!

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  4. Great pictures! Glad to see you are able to get out and about. Can't wait to hear the stories. I got some info on The Mayan sale. How can I send you an e-mail about what is going on with it?
    Keep up the good work!

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  5. I enjoyed stumbling upon your blog. You may know another mission president (he served awhile back), Wilford W. Kimball and his wife Ruth. I had been in IL about 6-8 months when I heard one of the assistants that was going home give a talk in zone conference that has stayed with me. In summary, If you think a mission rule is just a small thing so it doesn't matter if it is followed or not, remember, if it is a small thing, why not do it right. Small and easy things are easy to get right. Something may have faded in the intervening 40+ years, but that is basically what I remember (and have mentioned to others). I thought you may be interested in knowing that. Prayers and best wishes on your mission.

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  6. Wow, this beats our walks any day. I can't believe you took the guide's word about no crocodiles. Remember that conference talk a while back about crocodiles being able to hide in just inches of mud. I'm just amazed at the adventures you are having.

    Lots of love,
    Jolene

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