Walking to the Frontier
Trip Start
Jul 12, 2007
1
6
38
Trip End
Aug 17, 2007
Victoria Falls, Zambia
Sunday, July 15, 2007
When I went out the hotel's gate, I met a private security of national park and he lead to me for the park. He said me whether go to Zambia. Of course I need passport to cross the frontier, and I was lucky to have it already. He told me the way to the frontier and say good-bye in front of the gate.
Near the frontier, people didn't need to wait much more time, but many truck or trailer were waiting in a line. I found it was a real frontier. Only 10 minutes waiting, I pass the frontier office of Zimbabwe. Several minutes walk took me to the bridge called Zambezi. This bridge is connected between Zimbabwe and Zambia, so the center of the bridge is a border. Some pedestrians seemed to the local residents carring their baggage were walking through the bridge. About 15 minutes later, I arrived the frontier office of Zambia side.
The officer asked some simple questions. "Where are you going to stay? Livingstone?" I answerd him "In a Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and I'll back today." When I paid for some money as the issued of visa, and passed the gate. After short walk, I arrived an enter of the national park through the souvenir stall so called typical African style.
There was a entrance of the park near the frontier. I paid $10 for an entrance fee and went to the park. After I walked through the statue, I arrived at the opposite side of the falls.
There is an amazing, chilly slow stream, but actually the big falls exists 50 meters ahead. I think too enter the stream is the most dangerous action in the world! Of course, nobody went close to this. We can see the streams stronger and faster in front of the cliff.
A short walk took me to another entrance of the view point of the falls. Then I rent a green poncho and went to. I went through the path, which is always wet from the smoke of the falls, and was taken a picture by somebody around me. After short stay I hurry to the the frontier again and back to the hotel. It was at 9:30am, and it was only 30 minutes before checking out time then.
I packed my baggage and got out of the room, the taxi drivers still waiting for me. I got to the taxi and went to the airport through the straight may again. Then, a car come at high velosities from behind. He is just taking my passport! I've just left my passport at the hote and he just brought for me! I was very lucky and was able to get on the aircraft to Johannesburg safely.
