It was the dry season while I was there in Zimbabwe. The falls, usually the biggest waterfall in the world and over a mile long was only half full but still very impressive.

I've been once in the rainy season when the Zambezi is full and all you see is a big mist and the roar is deafening. So in a way it was ok that it was dry because at least I got to see into the gorge nicely and appreciate the size.



Starting from the left and walking right you see the cataract. It's a small seperate channel that flows into the gorge.



Walking around to the front you see it nicely.



Then you climb down some slippery steps to get a view of the main falls in the distance.



Now walking through the rainforest to see the main falls...





See how low it is? Normally those lil brown islets are all covered.

This is the other half. In rainy season it's all flowing too but at this time of year it's just a trickle...






The main of the falls is like a straight line for a mileand then a sharp turn to the right where the backwash turns round several bends after the bridge on the Zambia border. People go whitewater rafting there and there are swings and bunjee jumps across the gorge.

yeah that is me

This is Harare. The purple trees you see in the background are jacarandas. They were in full blossom and left a nice purple carpet all over the floor.



More shots of Harare.

DM: welcome back these shots are tight.....Zimbabwe looks normal....to hear these muppets over here you'd would have thought WW3 had broken out..

Thanks Kunjufu.

Well I got comments about all that for later. The towns and the rural areas are very distinct places...

Anway.

I posted this on another thread but I'll put it all here too.





Great Zimbabwe ruins!



I entered great Zimbabwe....



And after looking at the museum I climbed the high as hellacropolis. It's a mountain with a large stone fortress on top. It's quite a maze and you have to climb a steep staircase to get to it.

See it starts off ok...

But gets harder as you proceed up the side...

The walls of rock squeeze close together in places and it's intimidating.



Almost there now...

After huffing and puffing my way up there I entered the maze.

Yes this is really on the top of a big mountain. Don't ask me how they got all these stones up there *shrugs*





This hut is in the middle of the fortress ruins atop the mountain.



From the top of the mountain I could see the whole of the great enclosure which is the main attraction of the Zimbabwe ruins. Look how big it is.





I then went to the great enclosure.







And stood by the famous conical tower.





Check out this model of the great enclosure...



I definately recommend it niceone.gif

Read more about the Zimbabwe ruins on this thread. http://www.blackchat.co.uk/theblackf...m37/12819.html

I saw lots of art around the country.

When I went to the falls by the roadside were many carvers of wood. They make great animals and lifelike shapes including masks and stuff.

Look at these big elephants and things. These sculptures stand higher than me!. There was a big stone tortoise one guy had made which I wanted but it weighed WAY too much lol. I should have taken a picture (sorry)... I recommend buying from these guys becausenot only is it cheaper and youcanhaggle but you know that you are buying from the carver/sculpter himself in most cases. You can even sit and watch the guy make you something from scratch if you want. The shops in town sell similar stuff but at a far far higher price.

offtopic.gif

When bargaining on the roadside though be aware you bargaining with relatively poor people so don't takeliberties.

That was great, nice pictures it remind me of Africa again "God Bless Africa"

Hey Basic Meo

I picked up a lot of wood carvings and stone sculptures from all over.

Check em out



This set of masks I picked up in a village outside Hwange in the west of the country.



I don't know if you can see the scale but these are two really big masks.

This pair is about 3 feet long



Some more wood stuff from the same place. Most is made from Mpane wood among other types.

fruit bowl I picked up for my mum

The "big five" candle stick holder. Lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant are the main animals people come to see when on safari in the country so artwork of them is all over. Tacky but I liked it.

Nicely varnishedwooden plate.Ill used it as a salad bowl I think.

These abstract stone sculptures I picked up in by great zimbabwe near Masvingo in the south. The people take time to tell you what each thing means and what it is made from and even how if you want to know.

The thinker

The lovers. You supposed to give one half of the pair to your lover.

Mother and child

The family. This is a popular one

The family circle. I prefer this one to the previous but took both anyway

These are more lifelike stone carvings

The stone is actually brown and the white effect is done by etching it.

Man smoking a pipe.

Chess set. They have much better ones but some are too big to carry. The stone was scratched for the different colours.

DM, Thanks very much, They look great, do you mind if I add it to my work collection?, if I do make any of them for sure I will let you know

I don't think I will ever find the words to express how I feel when I see Victoria Falls and Great Zimbabwe. DrunkMonkey, thanks for sharing!