Our lodge in Botswana is a mere 30 minute drive from the border with Zimbabwe, and we make it through customs without any drama and in record time.
Decide to head almost straight out on a boat trip. We fished on the Zambezi from the Zambian side several years ago, and it feels like a nice way to spend our limited time in the country. Jenn decides to accompany me, although opts not to partake.
The river is gorgeous, and whilst our host speaks very little, he clearly knows the water. We use a variety of fishing techniques that result in us landing two catfish and three tiger fish. No river monsters, but a decent haul nonetheless.
As ever it is catch and release. That said, our host tells us that he wants to fillet our final catch of the day to use as bait for the following morning. Call us soft, but we ask to release it, and offer to give him cash to compensate. He reluctantly agrees. Karma is restored.
We see some very decent sized crocodiles and a myriad of hippos. In the distance we can see the mist rising from Victoria Falls. We are also treated to a final spectacular African sunset.
Our flight to Johannesburg the next day leaves at 14.00, which gives us just enough time in the morning to head to Victoria Falls. Seems to take an age to get through the bureaucratic nonsense at the gates and reduces our time to around an hour. Turns out to be sufficient to wander around all the viewpoints and to take in the statue of Livingstone. Stunning spot and a fitting finale.
All too soon we are in a cab and headed to the airport. We have reached the end of our trip.
It is amazing to think that twelve months ago we were boarding a plane to Singapore. At the time, it felt like we had an enormity of time ahead of us. In fact for the first part of our trip, it felt like we had all the time in the world. As the months unfolded, it always felt like there were many more in the bank.
At around the half way point, time started to feel finite. Whilst we still had plenty of time ahead of us, we were closer to the end than the start. In the final weeks and months time has literally flown by. It comes as a shock to find that we are about to head home.
The trip feels like a metaphor for life in general. When you’re young time seems to be infinite, then all of a sudden you realise that life is passing by in a blink. I love the quote, ‘no amount of money, ever bought a second of time.’ It is so true, and if there is one thing that I am taking away from the last twelve months it is to remember how precious time is and to make the most of it.
There were a million reasons for us not to do this trip, and perhaps only one reason to push the button… quite simply it was our dream to travel. We feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to experience a lifetimes worth of adventures in such a short period of time. We are richer for it and will never forget the time we have spent together in some amazing parts of the world.
We will not miss the mosquito bites, countless flights, and strange beds – but all of that will quickly fade, leaving us with the amazing memories of the things we’ve seen and the people we’ve met.
At various points on our travels we have spoken to people about how this trip came about. It was something we had actively planned for years. However, the reality is that it really came to fruition because of Jenn’s superpower. People have invariably been awed by the fact that Jenn organised the entire trip. They are right to be impressed, it has been an amazing feat of logistics. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been guided around the world by my amazing wife. I am not so naïve as to imagine that this trip could have happened any other way and am eternally grateful!
For those of you who have endured our blog for the last twelve months, you have shared 30 different countries, 201 different locations, c.6,500 edited photos, 57 blog entries, and over 120,000 words of unadulterated nonsense recounting our adventures.
We have mixed emotions about the end of our journey. Genuinely looking forward to seeing friends, family, and our cats! Equally, can’t believe the year is over. Unequivocally the best year of our lives – thank you for sharing it with us!
See you soon!
Wow, and I am still catching up. A wonderful account of a fantastic journey. Surely there is a book there? What memories you will have, and I have learned a lot as well, especially as Geography was meant to be my specialist subject. Actually history is my favourite. It will take a while for you both to acclimatise.
As you rightly said, Time is precious.” My Dad said that every day is a bonus. You two have certainly used your time well. What a journey to look back on in years to come. I have enjoyed it and learned a lot as well.