 |
Bungee jump adds excitement to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe
By SAMUEL SHELANSKI
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
VICTORIA FALLS, Zimbabwe -- From my perch on the Victoria Falls bridge, I watched the rapids of the Zambezi River rushing along 366 feet beneath me.
The world's fastest men can run that distance in 11 seconds. It takes only 4.7 seconds to fall that far, but it feels like an eternity.
This is the highest commercial bungee jump in the world. And it is my first.
Victoria Falls, twice as high as Niagara Falls, is sort of the Disney World of Zimbabwe. Yes, there is still game to be seen, but here the elephants, warthogs and baboons play second fiddle to the casinos, helicopter rides, rafting, and, of course, the falls.
I could hear the thunderous roar of the cascading waters behind me as I stood on a small platform on the bridge that connects Zimbabwe and Zambia.
I had spent the first few days in Vic Falls, as it's nicknamed, questioning the sanity of those who chose to jump. I spent my days doing the tourist things. I walked through Victoria Falls National Park and let the spray from the falls drench me.
I visited the Victoria Falls Hotel, a throwback to colonial times where the white-gloved staff waits on the upper-crust. I bargained with merchants in the market for carvings and souvenirs.
Yet, somehow, on the final day of my trip, I found myself with a large, frayed-looking rubber band tied to my ankles as several dozen people chanted 5-4-3-2-1 . . . BUNGEE!!
To get to that point, I had been weighed on two scales and had my weight written in marker on my hand as part of an efficient assembly line that moved me toward the edge.
My ankles had been wrapped in towels to cushion against the pull of the cord, and all the while the reassuring words of the crew had prevented me from actually thinking about what I was doing.
A good thing.
So why did I do it? What compelled me to fling myself off a bridge in a free-fall that brought several moments of sheer terror before a slow tug on my ankles brought euphoric relief in the form of deceleration followed by upward bounce?
There are times in a person's life when they do things that they can't explain. When you do something simply because some part of you says that you can't.
But the other part says you can. And that's why I jumped.
Because I could.
| Tips for traveling to Zimbabwe Geography: Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in southern Africa, neighbored by South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique. Most of the country consists of the highveld and midveld plateau, between 3,000 and 5,600 feet above sea level, which accounts for the un-Africa-like temperatures in much of Zimbabwe. The hot, dry lowveld of southern Zimbabwe is comprised mainly of flat savanna. The only significant mountainous region is the Eastern Highlands. Getting there: Most people traveling from the United States to Zimbabwe fly to the capital city of Harare via London or Johannesburg, South Africa. It is also possible to fly directly to Victoria Falls from London. Once in Zimbabwe, the infrastructure is one of the best in Africa, and local planes, express buses and trains make traveling around the country easy and convenient. Language: English is an official language and is used in government and business. However, it is the first language to only about 2 percent of the population. Shona is the native language for about 70 percent of the country, and Ndebele, a derivation of Zulu, is the language of 15 percent. Money: The currency is the Zimbabwe dollar, or Zim buck, as it's more commonly called. The exchange rate as of late May was about Z$18 to US$1 but is constantly changing. Banks can be found in the cities, and the airport and some resorts have foreign exchange bureaus. There is a black market in foreign currency, but it's best to stay away from the hustlers on city streets. Black market trading is a serious offense, and many of the dealers are running scams. Credit cards are accepted at most places that deal with tourists. Documents: A valid passport is required. Visas aren't required of U.S. citizens, nationals of British Commonwealth countries, members of the European Union and citizens of Japan, Norway and Switzerland. Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required if entering from a country where the disease is endemic. Health risks: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cautions travelers about the risk of malaria in Zimbabwe. Although the disease is potentially fatal, the risk can be reduced significantly by the use of mosquito repellent and anti-malaria drugs. The CDC also recommends that travelers not swim or bath in fresh water where schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, is present. The infection, carried by tiny worms, can cause severe organ damage if untreated. HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is also a major problem in southern Africa. Shopping: Shona sculpture, a recent addition to Zimbabwe's culture, has been recognized as world-class art. Although it's possible to find pieces costing thousands of dollars, smaller works can be purchased in most markets for only a few dollars. Traditional crafts include wood carvings, baskets and crochet work. Ironwork figurines are also popular. |
· New Silver Fir chairlift signals big-time growth for The Summit at Snoqualmie
· Snowshoeing on Mount Seymour: B.C. walk rewards with beauty and chocolate fondue
· Lincoln and Cove parks: Two waterfront parks bring nature near
· For running, high-priced jacket's claims are all wet
· Outdoors Report: Forecast favorable for clam diggers
· Outdoors Report: Anglers banking on uptick in 2009 openings
more
· The Independent: What creationists really hate is that we emerged by accident
· Hundreds march in Seattle to protest Israeli attacks on Gaza
· Report of possible P-I sale surprises papers' leaders
· Seattle citizens give city's storm response a failing grade
more
101 Elliott Ave. W.
Seattle, WA 98119
(206) 448-8000
Home Delivery: (206) 464-2121 or (800) 542-0820
seattlepi.com serves about 4 million unique visitors
and 45 million page views each month.
Send comments to newmedia@seattlepi.com
Send investigative tips to iteam@seattlepi.com
©1996-2009 Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Terms of Use/Privacy Policy
