Flight to Zambia today which took most of the day. We had to have our bags ready for the porters for 5am and on the bus at 63am Coach back to Johannesburg for an 11:00 am flight.
Everyone on different flights - some going via Zimbabwe which they have to pay for visas, others like us direct to Zambia. Arrived about 2:00pm to about 30 degree heat - a big change from South Africa which was a nice cool 22-25C. The town of Livingston sits by the Zambezi river and the Victoria Falls. Transported through the town about 20 minutes away to the fabulous Royal David Livingston Resort. Well - talk about 5 stars. This was our welcoming committee. Two giraffes grazed by the driveway.
The staff here are just incredible - so welcoming and friendly. We were assigned our own butlers and porters to take care of anything.
We were given a refreshing iced raspberry tea and escorted to the park-like grounds under large trees to stand in the shade and be formally welcomed. Everybody with their japs on the ground at the park-like surroundings, beautiful pool setting, and tropical atmosphere. We were shown to our rooms - Mum and I were given an upstairs balcony looking out over the Zambezi and we could see the mist of Victoria Falls on the other side of the river. They'd pushed the beds together so they sorted that out straight away. Our beautiful butler Beatrice joked to Mum that it was a bit long to still be breastfeeding!
After settling in, and reluctantly leaving the well appointed chambers, complete with coffee machine (super excited) and luxurious bathroom, Victoria, Mum and I made a beeline for the pool. Staff are on hand with sunblock and the occasional fruit kebab.
Victoria and I even had a swim in the pool and I don't get in any water unless it's at least 30C and she is the same. All of a sudden, a group of zebra walked past the pool. They are wild so you need to stay your distance but they basically take no notice of you. There are also impala, giraffe and troops of monkeys that will steal any food you leave out. We were sternly warned not to leave sliding doors open - they were quite aggressive and not afraid to take you on if they thought they could get away with it.
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| Zambezi River, with Victoria Falls in the background |
The Royal David Livingston was not full board, so were obliged to book one of the several restaurants for lunch and dinner. We booked the restaurant down by the river but it was not well lit- so dark we couldn't really see what we were eating. Mum ordered the quail, which I thought rather brave to basically eat blind, and after enquiring how many quail and being told just the one, three quail were presented to her and she demolished them all.
Wonderful sleep in the most comfortable bed. We googled this place and it's over $1000NZ a night! With the group booking they must have negotiated a hefty discount as it was so beyond our expectations. In fact we had googled all the hotels ahead of time and it was completely different to the one we were expecting to stay at, which I recall more more of a dingy, dark place. I don't think anyone could believe how lucky we were - had to keep pinching ourselves.
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