19 September 2025
Our tour is officially over now and we have many goodbyes over breakfast. We check out and discover that several of the group are hanging around at the hotel until their transfers to the airport later in the day.
Anne and I weren’t able to get a flight back to NZ until tomorrow so we have another night at Victoria Falls. We had hoped to spend another night at the Victoria Falls Hotel even though we knew it would be fairly expensive, but when they finally came back with a price for us it was outrageous. So we booked a little family hotel not far away – but of course can’t check in until the afternoon.
I was treating Anne to the famous High Tea on the Stanley Terrace for her birthday, however this wasn’t available until 3.00 so we decided to spend the day enjoying the beautiful environment of the Victoria Falls Hotel.
We hang out with the group in the lounge (cool with ceiling fans) until most head off. Then order some mocktails on the terrace before going for a walk with Lyn and Sandra and end up in the area under the trees by the pool, where we read and talk. Anne has a swim.
Finally 3.00 arrives and Anne and I eagerly head to the Stanley Terrace for our High Tea (and decide on the version that comes with champagne in honour of the special occasion). It doesn’t disappoint, with a selection of mini sandwiches and savouries, scones and cupcakes, and some dessert items including blue macarons that stain our tongues.
We then take a taxi to Courteney Lodge, which is small and absolutely delightful. It is named after another African explorer: Frederick Courteney Selous, DSO (1851–1917) a British explorer, army officer, professional hunter, and conservationist, famous for his exploits in Southeast Africa. His real-life adventures inspired the creation of the fictional character Allan Quartermain.
The only downside is that there is a major concert being held right next door this evening! We did consider whether we would just attend but it was already sold out. Eventually we took sleeping tablets and went to bed in preparation for our long journey homeward. The concert was still going when I woke at 2.30 am (at least the music was more mellow by then).
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