August 13th

Wake up early for our action-packed day -- white water rafting on the Zambezi below the falls. Esther is not going with us; it is not her thing.We meet at Shearwater at 7:45 for the briefing, and then take a truck ride to the top of rapid 11. After receiving our equipment, paddles, lifevests and helmets we walk down the gorge to reach the river, it is a trip in itself slippery steep narrow path.






There the rafts are ready and our guide, Titanic, teaches us the techniques used to steer the raft. And, oh yes, it is Friday the 13th. Is this really wise! Time to go for it! At the second rapid the raft flips over and we all fall into the water. This was a bit of a surprise as it was not the most violent rapid and we did not really expect it. Probably ta way we steared the raft into the rapid, remember we are not experts.


Between rapids, we have time to enjoy the magnificent environment we are in, narrow gorge, the fast-flowing river, the clear blue sky: Fantastic.


We manage a few more rapids reasonably well. Rapid 19, is an easy one, but into the water we all go again. While in the water this time, I hit a rock with my leg and it hurts.


After rapid 24 we get off the raft and now for the hardest part of the day, we trek up the gorge. My leg is still hurting -- not fun!

But lunch is waiting for us at the top and after a long morning and hard physical work we are all hungry. At the top a braii (BBQ) is waiting for us, and the food taste good.


Time to take the truck back to town. Not a lot of noise in the truck as everyone is quite tired.



Once back at the lodge we just have time to get changed and we are picked up to go to our afternoon river cruise on the Zambezi this time above the Falls. This was a very pleasant cruise, relaxing and interesting, and as time goes on we get to talk to some of the other passengers and exchange or different experiences.



















































After the cruise, we stop by Shearwater to watch the video of the day’s rafting, and, sure enough, there was some comment about ours being the only raft to have flipped over. Great atmosphere.



On the way back to the lodge we stop for a take-away pizza to eat in the chalet recalling the days events.