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What a great day yesterday was. We were up early once again as we were collected at 6.30am to head out to the Lion Encounter. I did this the last time I was here and was happy to do it again. It's a 4 stage program where they are releasing lions into the wild to ensure their existence. When we got on the bus, there was a group from Dragoman (overland truck) already on and they were talking about how posh the hotel looked and they were happy with their tent (yeah, sure). I told them don't worry, I've been in the tent too and this is a once in a lifetime upgrade!!
We were taken to the lodge where the encounter takes place. We were separated into two groups and our group walked with 3 lions - 2 females (Rufigi & Ruma) & 1 male (Rwanda). They were about 15 months old. They were an active group. Rwanda posed for a while so people could take photos patting him, but before long he was up and they were off. Then all of a sudden they spotted a small group of impalas and they were on the hunt. They are still cubs so not the best hunters but this is all good practice for them. They soon came back and we were walking again but then they spotted a big giraffe. Showing how young they are, two of them chased it. Rwanda was right behind it but the keepers were running after him, trying to get him to stop because they know that a kick from a giraffe can kill a lion and this giraffe was kicking which was very cool to see.
Down to the river bed and they climbed a tree and sharpened their claws and then we got more photo ops. It was a great hour with them. The other groups lions appeared to just sit down the whole time, no chasing for them. Once our hour was up, they provided breakfast and then returned us to the hotel.
At 12.30pm we were taken over to Livingstone Island for lunch and a chance to swim in the Devil's Pools. This is something I've wanted to do since I've found out you can do it. 14 of us went to the island but not everyone was going to swim. First it was a boat ride across the river to the island. Mum said the lifejacket wasn't going to help if she went over the edge of the falls. We were probably 100m or so from the edge of the falls when in the boat. As the boat could only take 6, we were in the 2nd group to go over. Once on the island which is towards the Zimbabwe side of the falls, we were shown the 'Loo with the View' and then taken to the edge of the falls for a fantastic view. Mum didn't get too close but she got closer than I thought considering there was no barrier. She said it was worth the money just for this view.
While at this viewpoint, we could see the first group making their way to the pool. Mum hadn't made up her mind 100% of whether she would do it or not, but once she saw them, she said no way. No worries because in our group only myself and Kevin were going to do it. His wife watched with mum as did the other couple. Down to our swimwear and linking hands like little school children, our guide walked us across the sharp & slippery rocks to the part of the river we had to swim across to get to the pool. We had to swim further out and across but there was a rope across the river closer to the edge (I guess for those who may not be strong swimmers and may get caught in the current). It was a pretty strong current but it was no problem to get across. Out again, holding hands across some rocks and then we were at the pool. The other group made their way out and back across and it was our turn.
Collins, our guide pointed out we could jump in or slide in. If we jumped, we had to jump into the middle where it was about 4m deep. If we jumped too far right, over the edge we would go and too far left and we would break our body against the rocks. Good enough reason to jump to the right spot. Our other guide had bought our cameras over in a waterproof bag so he was the photographer. Collins jumped first to show us how it was done and then it was Kevin's turn. Jumped in and bobbed right back up. However, the photographer missed it so he had to get out and jump again but I went before him. Stand on the rocks, feet in the position they tell you, they count you down and you leap off. Crazyyyyyyyyyyyy...
What a rush. Surprisingly the current wasn't very strong in the pool. You bobbed right up and you weren't pushed to the edge where there is a natural rock ledge. I headed there and got up to sit on the edge. So cool, you look behind you and the water is rushing over the edge. Collins, the crazy guy was standing on the edge. Kevin jumped again and this time got the photo. We just sat on the edge and took it in. I said 'I don't drink beer but it feels like all you need to make this scene complete is to have a can of beer in your hand'. I grabbed the camera and took a small video while sitting there. This is something you definitely have to do if you ever come to Livingstone. It was so worth the money. Before long it was time to get out and we went back the same way. We were then served lunch on the island which was very nice and a drink too. It was a perfect afternoon. Before long we had to leave and head back to the hotel. Luckily, the departure point for the island is our hotel.
I had booked a massage for mum and myself for 4pm. We were taken over to the tent on the edge of the river for our massage. Someone had said what use is a view when you are lying face down - well they put a mirror underneath you that reflects the view of the river and the spray of the falls. Once the massage started, a constant mist of water steamed from above to keep us cool. It was very nicely done.
I finished the afternoon off in the pool and then mum and I had a drink on the sunset deck while the sun went down before getting ready to head over to the Zambezi Sun for dinner. We enjoyed their buffet and mum tried crocodile for the first time and was surprised that she liked it. This morning, we've finished packing and have had breakfast and now just waiting for our pick up to take us to the airport for our flight to Johannesburg and then onwards to Cape Town. What a change tonight is going to be - we're back in a dorm room in a hostel. Back to the real way of travelling now!!!
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