AFRICA!!!

Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls are one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. While we could not stop taking pictures of the beautiful rainbow over the 108 m deep "Rainbow Falls", we were a little disappointed that the water level of the Zambesi river had not reached its peak in order to create the famous uninterrupted 2 mile long water curtain which made it look less impressive than the Niagara Falls. The atmosphere in Zimbabwe was a little depressing and we can not really recommend this as a vacation destination. The stores are empty, no food in the super markets and artists are willing to barter used shoes and socks for beautiful little stone sculptures. (Inflation in Zimbabwe is running at 11,000% ! - no kidding)

Luckily Botswana was not far from Victoria Falls which allowed us to escape for a one day safari to the beautiful Chobezi National Park. We can highly recommend the beautiful Chobezi Safari Lodge at the Chobe River with direct access to river wildlife viewing (lots of Nile crocodiles, Hippos, water monitor lezards, red litchwe antelopes and beautiful birds). We enjoyed a half day boat safari and could even witness how nature works according to the "survival of the fittest" rule when a little slow swimming red litchwe (similar to an antelope) was swallowed by a crododile while crossing the river with the rest of the herd. The highlight of the afternoon Jeep safari was watching a big group of African elephants during their bathing rituals. We can definitely recommend Botswana for Safaris and we would love to come back to see the Okavango Delta.

After lots of rain in Zimbabwe, we found strong winds and stinging hot temperatures in Cape Town, South Africa. Our Ten Star Guesthouse was spotless clean, modern and very comfortable directly situated at the foot of table mountain - not far from the city center. The Cape's beaches are white and fine and the water is very cold but beautiful turquoise blue populated with little Penguins from Antarctica. We visited Cape of Good Hope and Africa's most south-westerly point where famous European explorers like Vasco da Gama and Bartolomeu Dias landed on their way to India.

(Sorry but we had problems with our flash drive and are not able to post our zimbabwe and botswana safari and cape of good hope photos)

(Table Mountain at sunset)

(Nordhoek Beach as seen from Chapman's Peak near Cape Town)

Very moving was our visit of the shacks of Cape Town's townships where still 3 million people live in poverty.

(Shop owner preparing lamb's head for sale to the local township)

(First B&B in the Township)

We found a beautiful gem in South Africa's wine country: Franschoek with its cute little town center and the beautiful winery gardens where Chamonix, Boschendal and La Petite Ferme serve gourmet lunches to accompany their wines.

(La Petite Ferme Winery - Franschoek)

After 8 short days in Africa we are heading to Brazil to spend Christmas in Rio de Janeiro!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all of you!