We are here at Vic Falls. Our day yesterday was mostly a travel day. We left Singita with tears in our eyes. Our ride to the plane was very sad. Our hostesses hugged us goodbye and, as our planes took off (we had 2 chartered planes) our rangers waved goodbye from the landing strip. I felt like someone from Fantasy Island who was going back to reality. It was surreal.

We all made it to the Joburg airport safely, watched Ray's videotape of the Lion/Wilderbeast encounter, and bid Pam/Marc, Ray/Penny, and Brad/Leslie fond farewells. We already miss them.

Check-in,luggage storage and boarding were easy. Arrival had a few snafus. Four couples had no rooms at the Royal Livingstone and were walked to their sister property, the Zambezi Sun. Four couples did not have visas waiting. Ngaire quickly resolved and we were all successfully located at our hotels.

After Singita, the hotel pales (Buckingham Palace would pale), but it is very nice, and we have a lovely view from our room. The grounds are lovely and there are monkeys and zebras roam free.

We took a wonderful helicopter ride of the falls with Betty and Al today and a tour yesterday. We have a boat cruise this sundown. Suzanne leaves us today and then we all leave tomorrow at 11:30 for Joburg. Doug AND I stay one extra day there. We backed out of the 1/2 day 4 corners tour as it 'left at 7:30am and didn't return until 3. We decided to spend a quiet day here.

Off to the pool to read and relax. Pizza at the pool at Ngaire's hotel today.