Zambia - Reunion

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I had heard a few years back of a website community of those who had once lived in Northern Rhodesia or Zambia as it became after independence. Having joined the mailing list I became aware of a plan to have a "reunion". It sounded a fun idea and would be a c\good excuse for me to be back in Africa. The first event of the weekend was to be a sunset cruise on the African Queen. Of course I was a bit apprehensive at first. I didn’t know anyone and didn’t really know what to expect.

The African Queen is the biggest of many boats that ply up and down the Zambezi (above the falls) for a couple of hours around sunset, charging an exorbitant amount to provide generous supply of alcohol and tasty nibbles; views of elephant and hippo included. Eventually once the sun sets these boats race back to their moorings on their respective Zambian and Zimbabwean sides before darkness sets in.

There were at least 30 of us who had come for the "reunion"; once moored we stayed onboard for a very fine dinner (the generous flow of alcohol continued). By the end of the evening even the most reserved were dancing to the excellent African band (mostly performing western standards) proclaiming best night of their lives, best friends etc. I didn't meet anyone I knew, but enjoyed reminiscing about my hometown Kitwe and "holiday" destinations in the region. Those who were at school in Kitwe all went to a rival school and said I was the "enemy" for any sporting events.

This was also the evening I took delivery of my new camera, which someone had kindly brought out from the UK for me.

Sat 27 Sep
…and morning definitely came too quickly. I had a helicopter ride booked for 1400 and as I wanted to use the new camera I spent the intervening time beside the pool reading the manual and learning the controls.


Zambia - Reunion

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