Smoke that Thunders

Smoke that Thunders

Africa. What an awe inspiring sight! Hovering above Victoria Falls in a helicopter (this was definitely way outside my comfort zone), we could see the mist surrounding the falls. And walking the trails around the falls, you hear the thunder of the water, feel the damp spray and try to dodge the monkeys. Just amazing.

Called the Smoke that Thunders by the locals, the falls lie on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia in Southern Africa. Discovered by David Livingstone (the Scottish missionary and physician who was greeted with the famous phrase, “Dr. Livingstone, I presume”), they are named after Queen Victoria of England.

Over 1 mile wide and 350 feet high, they are the one of the largest waterfalls on the planet and are designated a World Heritage site. They are also included on the list of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World published by CNN.

Which I found fascinating, because on doing some research, there are multiple lists of the Seven Wonders of the World. And each is different. There is the Ancient Seven Wonders, the Natural, the Medieval, the New Seven Wonders, the Modern, the Industrial, the Underwater and even the Animal Seven Wonders (which includes butterflies and magpies). So much to do and see and learn!

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