Zimbabwe - Days 3 and 4

If you know a little bit of history about Africa, there used to be a country called Rhodesia.  Like South Africa, it was run by whites, who are the minority.  Following years of sanctions and being a country in limbo for many years, it finally gained independence from the British in 1980.  Since then it has been run by Robert Mugabe, an authoritarian figure with a poor human rights record.  Mostly, he has been blamed for the steep economic decline of the country.  He is famous for confiscating lands from white farmers to give to his associates or other black farmers.  The latter were not equipped or capable of farming cash crops, thus the country has been going on a decline economically since.  Mugabe continues to hold on to power despite a lot of discontent in the country.  Once we crossed the border to Zimbabwe, we could tell the difference between Botswana and Zimbabwe.  Conditions are so poor there that many have fled to South Africa.  They live illegally and in slums on the outskirts of Johannesburg.

Warthogs welcoming us into Zimbabwe

Boabab Tree, common in Africa

Entrance to Victoria Falls

One of the 7 natural wonders of the world

David Livingston, who "discovered" Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls

Bridge over the Zambesi River, connecting Zimbabwe to Zambia

Bungee jumping over the Zambesi River

There is a nice crafts market in town that sells a lot of handmade handicrafts.  They are all beautifully done and inexpensive. However, because I am traveling with a backpack, it's not logical for me to buy this handicrafts.

Crafts Market

Chinese restaurant in Vic Falls? Wok n Roll

We stayed at a campsite/lodge just about 2 blocks from town.  As soon as we walk outside the area, we are harassed by vendors trying to sell us things.  One of the things that is popularly sold is old Zimbabwe currency, up to as high as twenty trillion dollars.  Yes, trillion!  Apparently, the economy has gotten so bad that its currency is not even worth the paper it's on.

I am a billionaire!