We woke up very early on the 26th, pickup was at 6:30 am for our white water rafting trip down the Zambezi (signed our life away the 3rd time here...). The Zambezi river is one of the top 5 white water rafting rivers in the world (pretty sure it rates #3), although the guides all claim it is THE BEST (and of course they know, right?!). It is definitely not a boring river to raft, that is for sure. It is so amazingly beautiful too, although you don't really get the chance to absorb the scenery when half of the rapids are class 5 (the highest rating allowed to be ratted commercially). The rest minus maybe 2 are 4's.... Anyone who rafts knows that means a major thrill ride. There were actually a couple level 6's which we were required to walk around.... And just FYI, 6 is the highest grade, which includes everything over 5- even Victoria falls herself, haha. The level 6 ones we saw on foot were absolute beasts. Again, we got the video and pictures we can post later. Kyle was thrown out of the boat on one of the level 5 rapids, along with everyone else on one rapid or another...... Minus me!!!! Yeah, I am not sure how, but I was the only one who did not get thrown out- unless you count the time another raft came up along side of us and that guide chose me to pick up and throw out of our boat for fun. That being said, I think I had the most wounds of anyone from the trip, not sure how that worked. I have a huge bruise on my arm, and Kyle gave me a blow to the head above my eye with his oar, haha. Okay, so all in all the actual rafting part was amazing. Now, to the bad part.... When the ride is over in order to get back up the cliff and get to the food and ride home you have to climb a very steep 300 meters. I thought I was going to pass out and go falling along the rocks back into the river. I may not be in the best shape, but that walk was hell- I could not believe they require everyone to do it. Apparently they are working on a cable that pulls you out, but unfortunately that was not complete soon enough!!!!!!!! The other bad part was that I forgot to put sunscreen on my legs and when they say the African sun is harsh they do not lie. I didn't notice until later that the tops of my legs were totally fried. Not much you can do at that point, learned my lesson!
After white water rafting we again were rushed to get back, and we were immediately picked up to head to Zambia for a trip to Devil's Pool. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Devils Pool, it is a natural pool formed off of livingstone island on one of the edges of Victoria Falls. It basically is one of the reasons this trip needed to be planned when it was.... People are only allowed into Devils Pool during a couple months of the year, the other months the flow is far too heavy over the edge for it to be safe. We chose to have high tea on the island (or maybe that was my decision since I am the British wannabe). They picked us up in a tiny motor boat from the Royal Livingstone sun deck, of course we signed our life away AGAIN, and then we headed off to Livingstone Island (an island in the middle of the falls which is only showing during summer when the water is low, the other months it is covered in water pouring over it). We went to the edge of the island looking down at the pouring water around us then made our way over to Devils Pool. This was one of our favorite parts of the trip. They tell you to make a jump into the water and one of the guys takes your jump picture. Most people are very nervous and just kind of jump- I was pissed they wouldn't let me do a back flip off the rock but I still had what the others said was the best jump of our group... And if that is the case Kyle's definitely was 2nd because we were the only brave ones. They got a great picture of Kyle's, but they were late taking mine. I'll post them later along with the pictures of us literally hanging over the edge of the falls. Yes, the guide holds your feet and sends you over the edge of the largest waterfall in the world. SO, SO awesome!!!!! I could have stayed in Devils Pool all night with a glass of wine... We were so bummed when they made us get out for another group, haha. After we got out we went for snacks (which were more like meals), high tea, and some alcoholic bevs on the island. It was such a great experience.... We met a nice couple from Australia and enjoyed talking with them for a long time about all sorts of things!!! I absolutely love the people you meet while traveling... It's one of the best parts! So Devil's Pool was the ending of our day, and it was a really great ending!!!!!
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