23/10/2002 Vic Falls, Zimbabwe (Phill)
Yesterday I went accross to see the truely awesome Victoria Falls. VF is one of the 7 natural wonders of the world and it's no surprise. The mist coming up from the falls was brilliant for cooling yourself off in the sun. The views down the gorge was totally cool too. Very impressed, although I couldn't help think that today I'd be throwing myself off that same gorge!
Up early today and said goodbye to our driving team and truck. Afterwards we loaded onto a jeep and crossed the border back into Zambia for the Gorge Swing. The Gorge Swing is 111m up in the air and you basically get harnessed in and step off the edge. It's like bungee (you actually free fall longer than the equivalent bungee) and then the rope catches and swings you accross the ground. The company said you hit approx 140km/h and come within a meter of the tree tops and they wern't wrong! Before the swing we did a flying fox accross the gorge. Basically they have steel cables running the width and you strap in and run towards the edge and simply jump. The wires carry you accross to the other side. Very cool. After that we did absailing which is jumping down the side of a cliff backwards and then Rap Jumping which is running down a cliff edge looking down the whole way, scary. The Gorge Swing of course was the highlight. You can do it either facing forwards, backwards or doing the so-called 'Death-Drop' which is when you fly down upside down. No prizes for guessing which one I chose.... Very cool, I was very much petrified and having sky-Diving and bungee flashbacks! It's the same fear. In fact, I'd venture to say that bungee was scarier but mainly cause I had never done anything like that before.
Anyway, I survived and am now safely home. Waking up tomorrow at 5am for the 24 hour drive to Cape Town. Should be fun :)
Posted by Admin at October 23, 2002 09:40 AM