Dr Livingstone I Presume? - day 6 at the top of the Falls

Dr David Livingstone first caught sight of the Victoria Falls in 1855 from a spot commemorated on Livingstone Island named after him and a visit to this spot and a swim in the Zambezi River at the top of the Falls was now compulsory.

We again crossed the bridge from Zimbabwe to Zambia and caught a taxi to the Royal Livingstone Hotel where tours to Livingstone Island were arranged. This involved heading to the top of the Falls along the Zambezi River in a small power-boat, dancing in the spray at the top of the Falls and swimming in Angels Pool at the very edge. The black local staff who helped us climb safely over the rocks and swim in the current that was sweeping over the Falls were nimble and experts with our cellphone cameras. They carried our various phones through the water in an anorack and had no problem operating Samsungs, sophisticated Canon cameras and iPhones taking snaps and video clips while we frolicked dangerously close to the edge. This was followed by a scruptious meal and cocktails under a colonial looking tent whilst the rain/spray filtered down around us.

Beautiful lounger on the view deck of the hotel alongside the Zambezi

So what if the engines failed now, would we be swept along and over?

We arrive on Livingstone Island in the middle of Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River

Ek was daar - at the top of the mighty Victoria Falls

The spot where Dr David Livingston was said to have first viewed Victoria Falls

The current of the Zambezi was quite strong tugging us towards the Falls and we held on to each other for safety

Looks like a spare hand floating down the river over the Falls

Lee's images showing the spot where we swam

We'll drink to that!

Cocktails all round in the dining tent on Livingstone Island

The boat ride back from the top of the Falls

Even  more drinks in Livingstone town after our epic day

Crossing the Bridge from Zambia back into Zimbabwe - as long as you had your passport with you this was free and easy to do for Southern African citizens.

Warthogs wondering around the gardens

The beers were all good on our trip and cost between 18BWP (about R25 in Botswana) to USD$3 in Zimbabwe and a little less in Zambia

The view of the Bridge from the Victoria Falls Hotel where we re-convened with the group of Sling owners for sundowners before heading off to supper elsewhere.

Earlier crazy excitement: Bridge Swing

What I didn't tell you earlier was that the day started off before our venture to the top of the Falls with a daring proposal that we all club in for a Swing or Bungee from the Vic Falls bridge. I wasn't keen to jump or swing but it was agreed that we would all club in for the R1500 ticket and if the person drawn out the hat didn't want to jump, he could nominate another. Of course my name came out of the hat and I was definitely not going to do it, so Blane got my nomination. He in turn demanded that James join him, so here they are doing the leap of faith.

Sandy draws my name out of the packet of names James was holding

James and Blane link together for a joint swing from the bridge over the Zambezi, James making sure his balls don't get lacerated by the rope as it suddenly jerks tight.

One small step for man...

They ended up dangling just above the water in the 90m drop

Excellent photo by Cobus of the two dangling at the end of the rope

I owed James and Blane a drink after letting them do the deed on my behalf

The Zambian Royal Livingstone Hotel

The Royal Livingstone Hotel on the Zambian side of the Falls is the key to getting to the top of the Falls and is situated on the banks of the Zambezi River a short boat ride away from the edge.

The spray from the Falls in view from their cocktail deck

The Livingstone dining room at the hotel which was voted the 7th best hotel restaurant in the world