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Zimbabwe

Goldenmaggot
2005-09-06 18:38:12

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We have visited Zimbabwe several times and have found that the best time to visit is in October.

Arriving at Harare Airport I was intrigued by the baggage reclaim. Going around was one canoe, one rubber tyre, one plastic sandpit, a pushchair, golf clubs, various odd shaped carboard boxes tied up with string and loads of backpackers bags.

Every time we have visited Harare we have stayed either at the Meikles Hotel or at the Monomatapa. Both are first class in every way. The Meikles hotel is a family run hotel and is still run by the Meikle family. It opened its doors in 1915. In front of the hotel are two stone lions that used to be up on the roof, and the story goes that every time a young lady walked past, if she was a virgin - they roared their approval. It became a favourite meeting place for the young men of the day. But of course, the lions were never heard to roar!

The main street in Harare is very wide, wide enough to take a full team of oxen and to be able to turn that team, waggon and all. Rather like Kenyatta (previously Delamere) Avenue in Nairobi.

In October the jacaranda trees are in full bloom, the strikingly beautiful mauve trees looked as though they were covered in mauve fluffy cotton wool.

First priority to cash a travellers' cheque. In 1989 the exchange rate was 3.22 Zim dollars to the Ł1. In 1995 it was down to 13.67 Zim dollars to the Ł; and in March 2000 the exchange rate is just over 53 Zim dollars to Ł1.

Zimbabwe is slightly larger than Great Britain. Most of the country is over 300 metres above sea level. The word 'Zimbabwe' derives from the Shona zimba ramabwe (big house of stone). The meanings of the colours on the Zimbabwe Flag are - Green, which stands for the land resources, yellow for the mineral wealth, red for the blood sacrificed for freedom, and black for the country's people. ...