Just a quick update before we leave Zambia and cross the border tomorrow into Botswana. The theme of the past two days for me has definitely been indulgence. All you can eat breakfasts at the Waterfront camp are great. Bread and cereal from the truck between 8.30 and 9.00 or buy your own from the restaurant and eat when you like and as much as you want - not a tough decision!
Yesterday, this was followed by high tea at the Royal Livingstone Hotel for a few of us who decided that we would like to see how the other half live. I'm surprised they actually let overlanders in as it is very posh although we did try and look clean and presentable! Sweeping driveway with zebras and giraffes grazing and a stunning location overlooking the Zambezi river. High tea was good value at just $25 for two hours of eating as much as you can. Tea served in proper china cups and teapots, mini sandwiches and quiches, and about 30 different cakes to choose from. We definitely over indulged!
Today has been a "chill" day for me. Catching up on emails and internet, followed by an afternoon spa session at the hotel next door to our campsite. I do not exaggerate when I say it was the best massage I've ever had! And properly half the price of a similar session in the UK. Steam room and plunge pool followed by a little relaxation reading gossip mags and enjoying the view over the Zambezi. Then a back, neck and shoulder massage (definitely needed after sleeping in a tent for months), an Indian head massage and a foot massage. All topped off with the best shower of the trip. Not only was it steaming hot, but there were complimentary products to use, fluffy towels and a hair dryer. Given the fact that at most camp sites there is only a 50/50 chance of the shower being warm and the floor is normally filthy, this was absolute luxury!! My hair has not been this soft since I left the UK and my feet are actually clean for once. It won't last long - it's back to truck life tomorrow...
Not keen to leave the luxury hotel life style behind, I then bought a very expensive glass of wine (worth it though - it was good) and sat on the deck by the river trying to pretend that I was actually staying at this hotel and not camping next door. Zambian currency is crazy money. There is around 7500 kwatcha to one english pound so everything costs thousands. Life would be so much easier if Africa had one currency. It is hard to keep track of how much everything actually costs when we are changing currencies week by week.
So Botswana tomorrow. It was supposed to be Namibia but due to new regulations that are trying to force out overseas operators it is no longer possible to take the truck there. Kind of sad about that as I was looking forward to desert scenery, sky diving and sand boarding. But you can't have it all and it just means we will have more time in other countries and less driving so it's not all bad.
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