By Lauren David

The earth roars as water plummets hundreds of feet into the gorge. An incredible cloud of mist hovers over this natural wonder of the world as if frozen in time. To the naked eye, nothing seems to be moving. The mist can be spotted several miles away, giving tourists and locals a reference point without fail.

I'd been patiently awaiting this moment. I put on the oversized, blue flight suit and wait to be told it's my turn to board the red ultra light. I hop into the seat, strap my seat belt on and adjust my helmet and ear phones. George, my Zimbabwean pilot welcomes me on board, and jokes to ensure I can hear him. I sit directly behind him. Just the pilot and I. I'm surprised how calm I am. Only a seatbelt keeping me from falling out of this open flying machine. There are no doors or windows. My legs and arms move freely.

The engine starts. George turns the ultra light around and gets ready for take off on the orange dirt runway. He presses the accelerator. We're air borne. Amazing.
Shades of red and orange paint the sky. I look below and see trees sprouted along the yellow savanna. George points out three warthogs running in unison. They blend in well, I strain to see them. Elephants bathe in the calm blue Zambezi.

The roar becomes intense and loud. I look all around me. I want to absorb my surroundings and remember this incredible moment forever. Calm sapphire water quickly cascades down the gorge. I wonder where all this water comes from to maintain this steady flow. I can see malachite pools of water, flowing down the gorge and I admire how only a few days earlier I was rafting on this river, the Zambezi below me.

I have a new perspective. I understand why Victoria Falls is one of the seven natural wonders in the world. Zambians appropriately refer to the falls as Mosi-oa-Tunya meaning, "The smoke that thunders." I couldn't comprehend all it's beauty when I stared face to face at the falls days before as most of the falls were covered in a white veil of mist. Flying overhead I can see 2km worth of falls something you can't see or understand when you at eye level with the falls.

I see Zambia on my right side, Zimbabwe on my left. Africa is stunning. The horizon seems endless and I try to see where the river begins and where it might end.

George flies to the end of the falls and then dips as he curves the micro light to turn around so I can have one more look at the incredible view. I look out at the wings of the micro light where a camera awaits my smile, then I flash a peace sign, as George eagerly snaps away. I extend my arms and flap them up and down, like a bird. This is what it must feel like to fly.