CHAPTER 5: POINT OF NO RETURN

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We pick up our journey from last time. We are cruising along comfortably with clear skies above, blue waters below, and a bright and hopeful horizon ahead.

In October 2017 we received all the design plans for the lodge which had been professionally drawn up by PDI design consultant Phil Darby. The building project tender was awarded to Rainer von Urff Kaufeld of The Project Management Company. 

We were excited to receive the PDI visuals of the family room with loft, and the king/twin room. We were super excited when the white out visuals of the reception area came through! To actually see our dreams and plans coming alive brought tears to our eyes.

Design visual of family room 4
Design visual of king/twin room
White out concept view of reception area
Pamarah’s beautiful reception area today

We welcomed a steady stream of family and friends in the first half of 2018. It’s always special seeing Victoria Falls through the eyes of our visitors.

Memory making with family and friends
In loving memory of Bill Sykes. Historian, aviator extraordinaire, and very dear friend

There is a term in aviation called ‘PNR’, or ‘Point of No Return’. This is the point beyond which you must continue on your flight path. Turning back is not an option, because it is dangerous and  physically impossible.

Demolition Day – aka ‘Pamarah’s Point of No Return’ – had arrived.  It was time to rock and roll with the sledgehammer! It’s easy to knock a building down, but not so easy to put it all back together again, as we were about to find out … but we had committed to the journey and from now on there was no turning back.

Last door standing and the purple bakkie
No time to stand and ponder before the demolition squad annihilated what is now room 12.

We had no idea how long we were going to be surrounded by bricks, cement, scaffolding, wheelbarrows and rubble. Looking back on it now, perhaps that was a blessing in disguise. We were in the thick of it, living and working on a construction site, taking it one day at a time and making big decisions for our future. At the same time we were providing work and a steady income for more than 30 builders and artisans and skilled and unskilled labourers from around the country. We were working hard and tirelessly together as a team and celebrated moments of achievement every time a broken wall was built up again.

One brick at a time builds a wall

Moments of respite from the continual noise and dust of our construction site came with regular trips into the Zambezi National Park for some peace and quiet, and a very special family celebration when our daughter Holly graduated from the University of St Andrews in Scotland in June 2018.

Game viewing the Zimbabwean way
Photo credit: Sarah Kerr
Graduating the Scottish way
Photo credit: Caitlin Macdonald
Calm before the storm

But the storm clouds were gathering on the horizon, and we were not prepared for what was going to happen next…

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ROOM FOURTEEN

Designed and priced with the solo traveler in mind, this room has a standard double bed.

Our pair of solo rooms are adjacent to each other in a freestanding cottage uniquely built around a teak tree between two wings of the main lodge.

This room is ideal for the solo traveler, and is compact yet comfortably furnished with modern finishes.  A curved wall in the room echoes elements of the traditional “rondavel” style of Zimbabwean architecture. Two windows let in plenty of light, and the ceiling with built in air conditioner provides modern comfort for the discerning guest.  

The ensuite bathroom is classically designed with a shower, shower seat, toilet and vanity. 

ROOM TWO

This modern, well appointed twin room is situated on a quiet wing overlooking manicured lawns and landscaped garden areas. Two large windows let in plenty of light and the ceiling with built in air conditioner provides modern comfort for the discerning guest.

The ensuite bathroom is attractively unusual with its curvy walls, and is tiled to perfection. A spacious shower with shower seat, toilet and mirrored vanity makes this a unique washroom experience.

ROOM THREE

This classic, well appointed twin ensuite overlooks the pool area which is surrounded by attractive landscaping and manicured lawns. Two large windows let in plenty of light and the ceiling with built in air conditioner provides modern comfort for the discerning guest.

The ensuite bathroom is attractively unusual with its curvy walls, and is tiled to perfection. A spacious shower with shower seat, toilet and mirrored vanity makes this a unique washroom experience.

ROOM FOUR

Situated at the end of a wing overlooking the pool area and surrounding landscaped gardens, this beautifully appointed family room is capable of sleeping 5. The main room has a kingsize bed. Upstairs, via a spiral loft ladder, are 3 single beds tucked cozily under the eaves of the thatched roof. This loft space is not suitable for children under 8.

The room provides a unique experience of sleeping under an elevated thatched roof, with a dorma window opening up to the night skies. A curved wall in the room echoes elements of the traditional “rondavel” style of Zimbabwean architecture, and plenty of windows make this room light and airy. Ceiling fans create an old colonial feel, and original photographic art work on the walls draws guests into a world of imagination and aviation dreams.

The en suite bathroom is classically modern with a spacious shower with shower seat, toilet and vanity.

ROOM FIVE

Situated on a wing behind the main lodge, this classic, well appointed Triple ensuite overlooks a central shady courtyard featuring an old teak tree and landscaped garden areas. The room can be configured with a King Bed plus single bed, or with three single beds. Two large windows let in plenty of light and the ceiling with built in air conditioner provides modern comfort for the discerning guest.

The ensuite bathroom is attractively unusual with its curvy walls, and is tiled to perfection. Complete with shower and shower seat, toilet and mirrored vanity, this bathroom is compact and unique.

ROOM SIX

This beautiful spacious twin ensuite is situated at the end of a wing behind the main lodge, overlooking a central shady courtyard featuring an old teak tree and landscaped garden areas. It provides a unique experience of sleeping under an elevated thatched roof, with a dorma window opening up to the night skies. A curved wall in the room echoes elements of the traditional “rondavel” style of Zimbabwean architecture, and plenty of windows make this room light and airy.

Ceiling fans create an old colonial feel, and original photographic art work on the walls draws guests into a world of imagination and aviation dreams.  

The ensuite bathroom is classically modern with a spacious shower and shower seat, toilet and vanity.  

ROOM SEVEN

Created for the romatics at heart, the king honeymoon suite is a freestanding luxury ensuite tucked away for optimum privacy.  The curved wall in the main room echoes elements of the traditional “rondavel” style of Zimbabwean architecture, and allows guests to have an authentic sleep experience under thatch with all the comforts of classic furniture and modern finishes.  The kingsize bed fits snugly in the rondavel part of the suite, which is tastefully decorated with old worldly charm and romantic aviation images.  

The ensuite bathroom is thoughtfully designed for two, with an elegant freestanding bath tub that sits under a large window, a double shower with twin shower heads and shower seat, toilet, and double vanity.  Beautiful black and white tiles finish off the classic yet modern look.  A glass paneled door leads off the bathroom onto an enclosed courtyard, where couples can enjoy an undisturbed early morning cup of coffee or romantic nightcap under the stars.

ROOM EIGHT

This king ensuite is situated behind the main lodge, overlooking a central shady courtyard and beautifully landscaped garden areas. The curved wall in the main room echoes elements of the traditional “rondavel” style of Zimbabwean architecture, and allows guests to have an authentic sleep experience under a thatched roof with dorma window opening up to the night skies. The room leads onto its own private patio area or “boma” through a large glass door.  Perfect for early morning coffee or a nightcap under the stars.

The ensuite bathroom has modern fittings with a shower, shower seat, toilet and vanity.  

ROOM NINE

This king ensuite is situated behind the main lodge, overlooking a central shady courtyard and beautifully landscaped garden areas. The main room has a ceiling with a built in air conditioner which provides modern comfort for the discerning guest.  A large sliding door opens up onto a private patio area or “boma”  which is perfect for early morning coffee or a nightcap under the stars. 

The ensuite bathroom has a shower and shower seat, as well as a small built in bath, toilet and vanity.  Beautiful black and white tiles and modern black taps and fittings finish off the classic look of this well appointed bathroom.

ROOM TEN

This king ensuite is situated behind the main lodge, overlooking a central shady courtyard and beautifully landscaped garden areas. The curved wall in the main room echoes elements of the traditional “rondavel” style of Zimbabwean architecture, and allows guests to have an authentic sleep experience under a thatched roof with dorma window opening up to the night skies. The room leads onto its own private patio area or “boma” through a large glass door.  Perfect for early morning coffee or a nightcap under the stars.

The en suite bathroom has modern fittings with a shower, shower seat, toilet and vanity.  

ROOM ELEVEN

Situated behind the main lodge, this modern, well appointed king ensuite is accessed via a central shady courtyard and beautifully landscaped areas.  Two large windows let in plenty of light and the ceiling with built in air conditioner provides modern comfort for the discerning guest.

The ensuite bathroom is attractively unusual with its curvy walls, and is tiled to perfection with classic black and white tiles.  Besides offering a spacious shower with shower seat, toilet and mirrored vanity, this bathroom also has an elegant freestanding bath tub, making this a unique washroom experience.

ROOM TWELVE

This beautiful spacious twin ensuite is situated at the end of a quiet wing behind the main lodge, with its  entrance accessed off a central shady courtyard and attractively landscaped garden areas.  It provides a unique experience of sleeping under an elevated thatched roof, with a dorma window opening up to the night skies. A curved wall in the room echoes elements of the traditional “rondavel” style of Zimbabwean architecture, and plenty of windows make this room light and airy.  Ceiling fans create an old colonial feel, and original photographic art work on the walls draws guests into a world of imagination and aviation dreams.  

The ensuite bathroom is classically modern with a spacious shower, shower seat, toilet and vanity.  

ROOM FIFTEEN

Designed and priced with the solo traveler in mind, this room has a standard double bed.

Our pair of solo rooms are adjacent to each other in a freestanding cottage uniquely built around a teak tree between two wings of the main lodge.

This room is ideal for the solo traveler, and is compact yet comfortably furnished with modern finishes.  A curved wall in the room echoes elements of the traditional “rondavel” style of Zimbabwean architecture. Two windows let in plenty of light, and the ceiling with built in air conditioner provides modern comfort for the discerning guest.  

The ensuite bathroom is classically designed with a shower, shower seat, toilet and vanity.  

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ROOM one

Situated at the end of a quiet wing overlooking an attractive garden area, this beautifully appointed family room is capable of sleeping 5. The main room has a kingsize bed.

Upstairs, via a spiral loft ladder, are 3 single beds tucked cozily under the eaves of the thatched roof. This loft space is not suitable for children under 8. The room provides a unique experience of sleeping under an elevated thatched roof, with a dorma window opening up to the night skies. 

A curved wall in the room echoes elements of the traditional “rondavel” style of Zimbabwean architecture, and plenty of windows make this room light and airy. Ceiling fans create an old colonial feel, and original photographic art work on the walls draws guests into a world of imagination and aviation dreams.

The en suite bathroom is classically modern with a spacious shower with shower seat, toilet and vanity.