It’s the long weekend. Things started on a high, and yes… this blog was supposed to go up on Friday but I’m just a girl. We’re here now, and better yet? It’s still holiday so I think I can earn your forgiveness. 

So settle in, my soft-life shareholders, you’ve got time.

One thing about me, and Iet me brag about it just a little; is that I make friends easily. But more importantly? I keep them. And if you know, you will know friendship is a beautiful thing when it’s nurtured right.

Here’s something you didn’t ask to know. Your friendships are not the same, because your friends are not the same people. Each one requires a different version of you; softer here, louder there, more patient with one, more unhinged with another. And when you get that balance right? Magic! 

So last Saturday of March, my friends and I did something really good for ourselves – we went to Chinhoyi Caves.

And no, this was not a last-minute “let’s go guys!!!” situation. We had been talking about this trip since January. Budgeting. Planning. Being responsible adults… occasionally.

The agreement was simple: leave at 6AM.

Now as you already know, I Fikile Nomadlozi HATE waking up early. It actually gives me anxiety. The kind where you can’t even sleep properly because your brain is counting down the hours like, “you have 4 hours left… now 3… now 2…”

But somehow, it feels less offensive when it involves travel.

We left around 20 past 6. We said a little prayer for journey mercies — because truly, we are nothing without God — and we hit the road.

Now tell me why, halfway through the trip, the engine warning light (yes, that one on the dashboard that immediately humbles you) came on.

Panic? Small. Controlled. But palpable.

We drove slowly until we found a safe place to stop. Checked the oil, looked fine. Tried to open the coolant tank and that thing said not today, bo babes. Refused completely.

We called mechanics back in Harare… but explaining car problems over the phone without actual information? Stress.

Then came the funniest part which was trying to stop passing cars.

Because tell me… who is stopping for three girls in sorta kinda short shorts on the side of the road? Suspicious activity 😭

No one stopped. And now as an after thought, why weren’t we scared of the person who’d stop for us. What if they did something to damsels in distress? 

One car passed us… and then came back.

Two women inside. Angels, honestly.

They didn’t get out of the car (fair), but they spoke to us, helped us think through options, and suggested we drive slowly to Banket which was the next town.

We got back into the car… and because we are God’s girls… the engine light was gone.

Just like that.

No explanation. No closure. Just Holy Spirit vibes.

Anywayyyyy… we made it to Chinhoyi.

First order of business? Food.

Small town, unfamiliar territory finding a proper breakfast spot was a struggle, so we settled for takeaways and kept it moving.

Then the main event. Enter Chinhoyi Caves. 

Entrance fee: $5 for locals (very reasonable). There’s also an optional $15 tour guide fee… which we debated… and then paid.

Best decision we made.

Because honestly, without the guide, we would’ve just taken pictures and left with vibes but no substance. The stories, the history, the mystery, that’s what made it all come alive.

There’s the light cave, with that unreal famous blue water.

And then… the dark cave. Scaryyyyy! Gotta give it to our ancestors who apparently hid there during the war. 

After the caves, we went to what they call the lion enclosure, and guys… we really thought we were about to walk with lions. Like fully living our soft-life safari dreams.

Instead?

Two lions. Sitting. Existing. Unimpressed.

Dingane and Lucy (I think).

We were not impressed either.

$5 to see two unbothered lions? We complained. Loudly.

But then the tour guide, either out of pity or just to make us quiet, he got a piece of meat to get the lion’s attention. 

Dingane said, “say less.”

Lucy? Absolutely not. That girl stood on business, didn’t give us any chance. Just slept in her corner the whole time. 

But Dingane? Performance of the day. Came closer, gave us a little roar… suddenly the $5 made sense.

After all that excitement, it was time to feed ourselves.

Kelvin, the tour guide from the caves recommended a spot called Pa Car Wash.

And guys…

That was a ‘death by meat’ situation.

Affordable. Generous portions. The kind where you are like but this is meat for 2 days back home. 

And the mocktails? Elite! I had the blue lagoon and it slapped.

The place itself is airy, the music is good, the vibe is easy and it exceeded expectations in every way.

10/10. Highly recommend.

And honestly? That’s the point.

We might not be flying to Cape Town (yet), but there is so much beauty around us. So many experiences waiting only if we just decide to go.

Take the trip.

Call your friends.

Plan in advance.

Show up for your life.

‘Soft’ life doesn’t always mean expensive… sometimes it just means intentional.