August 23, 2017 Zimbabwe
Rolling, Rolling on the Crocodile Inhabited River, known as The Great Zambezi. What was supposed to be a birthday week had become ‘Crocodile Week’, on the ‘Brend’ Channel aka BBB Channel. (Brenda/Brendon/Brendan)
Having arrived at the launch site, near Victoria Falls’ Bridge, we had to descend, the 108 meters/354 feet down a precarious and steep, unimproved ‘path’. Upon reaching the water’s edge, I was reminded of a Lord Alfred Tennyson, writing, modifying it in my mind for the occasion. “Zambia to the left of me, Zimbabwe to the right of me, The Deep Gorge of the Great Zambezi and its rapids ahead of me. Mine was not to wonder, why? Mine was to row or die.”
This was not going to be normal tourist rapid run of some 2-4 rapids with maybe one 5, no it would be 19 rapids, with 6 level 5’s and a 6 to be bypassed. There were crocodile waiting in the wings, for anyone who might jump ship and head to shore. Spotters were in kayaks, acting as our guards, to keep us from meeting unwanted rocks or crocs.
With the descent completed, we got our final instructions, taking a dip to acclimate and know how to re-board if we should de-board. Through the rapids we went, with all of us except for Brenda, my guest, having taken un unwanted dip. If it were a rodeo she would have been the Bronco Champ, having made it through the first 17 rapids without a fall, and the rest of us having at least one to that point. Then we came to the 18th rapid, named “Oblivion” we were all obliviated, taking awkward dives in every direction, with Brenda and I under the boat, we made if up for hurried breaths of air and conformation, of survival.
With the 19th rapid and rushing waters behind us, we then went on the ascent towards the heavens, (but not heaven, we escaped that trip for now) coming back to the top, and leaving the dangers and excitement behind. I am very proud of Brenda a woman who does not know how to swim, and had never had her head below water, kept her head, and met a challenge she had never anticipated. When her son Brendon, watches these videos and views these pics in years to come, he will see he has a courageous and adventurous mom.
Enjoy the various videos and photos, of our adventure of rowing, swimming, rescue and climbing, an invigorating day never to be forgotten.
On the short videos witness, calm to mayhem, and Brenda recording the rescue of her dispersed, less able raft mates, as we are collected and reunited with raft, mates and pilot. And finally, our certificate of survival, as we survived the Great Gorge of the Great Zambezi River, and the crocs and rocks in waiting.
In the end, we got a nice cooked meal to eat, made in nature. Nature such as, crocs or riverwere strong enough to devour any of us this day.
