Leisure at the Victoria Falls Hotel

While on a visit to Victoria Falls, I enjoyed the loveliness that is the Victoria Falls Hotel.

The hotel is a remnant of colonial times, now a lovely tucked away spot overlooking Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

What a serene spot to escape the African heat!

Good friends, good tea, and the roar of the Falls = lovely.

The hotel is wonderful for its attention to detail, its historical artifacts, and its stunning view.

Isn't this Bird of Paradise just stunning?  Zimbabwe is full of such colorful, beautiful flowering trees and plants.

I may have started to dose here while listening to a pianist.  Just perfect.

How'd you spend Christmas? Me? Oh, I rode an elephant...

While celebrating Christmas in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, I met this guy---

as in Jake the Elephant.

I spent the Christmas holiday riding an elephant!

(That's not Jake in case you were curious)

It was a really cool experience once I got my mind around the fact that it was an elephant I was about to ride.

But then when I looked down for the first time all I could think was: holy crap, if I fall from this height next to a multi-ton animal....

What it looks like from above Jake the Elephant while he eats!

Couldn't resist...not often you're looking down at the tush of an elephant!

Jake.  Isn't he a beauty?  He was in his mid-20s.

The trunk and skin of an elephant: amazingly coarse!

I went in skeptical about riding an elephant, but it was an amazing experience I'm glad I did.