Copperbelt part 2 by Cory

Our trip continued to western Zambia, one of the wettest areas and the source of the Zambezi river along the DR Congo border. 

It was a highlight for me to see the "rainforest". Although there is a long dry season the tree species were much more diverse and some were blooming.

The area exports honey to Europe and we bought some along the road.

It seems many people make a living beekeeping and making charcoal

We already saw the lower Zambizi river, Lake Kariba, and at Victoria Falls.

The source is a spring surrounded by jungle that contrasts with sudden turn to scrub savana in some small nearby areas along the walking trails.

The park was well made but deserted and the road to it was a little-traveled two track trail.

We think we briefly stepped into the DRC along the road near the source.

Clubmoss on a wet slope near the jungle, looks just like a type that grows at Delice in Haiti.

Many butterflies!

Termites build bigger and taller homes than the people!

Another termite mound.

Pineapple plants are cheap so I couldn't resist and bought 120 plants plus an old sack along the road for $2.

 One fruit costs about 75 cents along the road and twice that in supermarkets.

Pastor Kabibi and his wife taught us Tonga lessons at Jembo and he graduated last year.

His church is far from town down a dusty bumpy road but is rapidly growing and they are making bricks for a new building.

 

Since we would be driving through Kafue National Park Kris looked up if elephants like pineapple. She found that they love eating the whole plant so we decided to be cautious and give all the plants to Kabibi's church to try growing. They mostly grow corn and soybeans in the area. 

He said his church people had never seen the pineapple so I gave some growing tips and we pray they grow well.

There aren't monkeys or elephants in the area so if they are planted where goats and pigs don't eat them they may do well and most will be planted in a fenced in field.

Some of the mining equipment seen on the roads is impressive.

This equipment is so wide everyone had to pull over onto the shoulder for it to pass by.

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