VTT - The Cloud That Thunders

So we were all fired up as we got an early start the next day. We found our way to the Victoria Falls National Park. Locally, it is known as Mosi-Oa-Tunya, literally translated to mean "the cloud that thunders".

It is a sight to behold. Even the day before, as soon as we arrived at our hotel room. We popped out by our hotel room terrace and you could see the cloud in the distance. You could hear the water gushing on the Zambezi River as it makes its way towards the waterfalls. I think the manmade mini water feature that the hotel had definitely contributed a lot to the ambience to get you in the mood.

The waterfalls backdrop

Across the street from the National Park, there were a couple of market stands, side by side, renting raincoats, rare Zim billion dollar bills and various Zimbabwean bric-a-brac. I was not really totally convinced to buy raincoats for the family. However, after seeing a couple come out all wet in their raincoats, hubby thought we might need them and so we rented.

Going into the park, it was a clearly marked path. We turned left and started our journey. It was a while before we caught view of the falls. There were numerous viewing points that provided good photographic opportunities. The different points offered spits of rain from the waterfalls, ranging from drizzles, showers to downpour. Further on, nearer to the falls, there was even "danger point" where the rocks were quite slippery and there were no railings on the edge. You don't quite realise the strength of the water until you see how wet you get at this point.

Hubby looking across at Danger Point

A picture of the Victoria Falls Bridge marks the end of the journey. We didn't cross the bridge over to Livingstone as we would've had to pay visa fees crossing over and back. Plus I was worried that we required yellow fever inoculation and didn't want to risk it (see my earlier concerns).

Victoria Falls itself claims to be the largest waterfalls in the world. It has a width of 1708 metres (5604 ft) and a height of 108 metres (354 ft), thus forming the largest sheet of falling water in the world (according to Wikipedia).

We happily walked back to the park entrance and by the time we reached it, our raincoats were dry. We returned them and walked a further 1km to get into the town of Victoria Falls.

My Husband With The White Coat Syndrome

From here

Well, everything wasn't as plain smooth-sailing as it all played out.

The way it works is that when you are requested to undergo medicals by the CIC, you are directed to a designated medical practitioner (DMP), a doctor selected to perform medical examinations for immigration purposes. In Johannesburg, there are 2 DMPs. But we could widen the search as there are another 2 more in Pretoria, which is 50km north of Johannesburg. So I had a choice of 4 but my only criteria was to be whoever is the first one available.

I forgot to mention that the medicals had a time-limit. We had to get them done within 60 days of receiving instructions. So there was really not much time to spare when it comes to the booking and getting them done.

It was just to be a normal check-up with the DMP. Normal check-up included the tests of your blood pressure, sugar level, urine, eyes, reflexes. Some blood tests and x-rays for the lungs are also part of the package.

All was going okay until the DMP started with my hubby. My husband's blood pressure clocked in at about 160/100 and just wouldn't go down. I think they tried to test it about 3 times. The DMP dubbed this "the white coat syndrome" and it apparently afflicts many people. That is, when patients see doctors (the white coats), the patients suddenly develop elevated blood pressure. So now, hubby's not only got diabetes and high blood pressure, he's got another sickness....


Hubby had to book with a cardiologist to check his ECG. Further tests, further costs.....further stress as we waited for hubby's appointment to come. I was really under pressure. We only had less than 3 weeks to submit our medicals and hubby was still waiting to be seen by the cardiologist. Lucky that the DMP was nice enough to give us a referral and so the cardiologist squeezed us in to his busy schedule.

Finally, the day arrived. And hubby went to see the cardiologist who found nothing wrong with him. 2 days later, the cardiologist sent his report to the DMP and the next day, the DMP sent off all our medical reports together. My worries were for nothing.