June 4, 2010

The “Smoke that Thunders” that is the Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Location: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Africa (17° 55′ 28″ S, 25° 51′ 24″ E)
Date: 6 April 2001; 8.20am
Camera: (analogue) Canon 500N with slides and scanned

The Mosi-oa-Tunya (meaning “Smoke that Thunders”), better known as the Victoria Falls lies on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia in southern Africa. The fall is neither the highest nor widest in the world; but it is claimed to be the largest sheet of falling water in the world by its measurement of 1,708m width and 108m height. The fall is formed when the calm waters of the Zambezi River plummets in a single vertical drop over its entire width. It is an amazing sight and sound as one gets close to the fall; in fact one can see the mists and sprays from the falling waters and hear the thundering noise from afar. The sprays can reach quite far on any windy days and it is advisable for any visitors to don a raincoat. However the best way to see the falls is from the air, on a helicopter- an expensive option. This is because from the ground level, one can only see a sheet of falling water without any of the majesty and presence of its depth and width.

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