Blogs from Namibia, Africa - page 121

Namibia Part II - Botswana Part I May 16 - 28, 2006 Namibia Part II Note: You can click on the photos to enlarge them - particularly helpful with the route map. At the end of Namibia Part I we were leaving Twyfelfontain (where we had been viewing fabulous rock art) and were heading to Etosha National Park, the premier game park in Namibia. We had been used to being in remote Namibia seeing few if any other tourists, but that was to end in Etosha National Park (May 16 - 21, 2006), as it is the major highlight of the area. A large portion of Etosha is actually a huge saltpan around which the three tourist compounds are situated. As in South Africa, the compounds are fenced in and tourists are not allowed out ... read more

Sesriem and Sossusvlei We awoke early in the morning in order to get to the desert gates by 5:45AM. I had a hard time getting my contacts in and almost missed the truck but hoped on right as David was starting to drive off. As we raced down the road chasing the rising sun, the desert was black bathed in the dim glow of an almost full moon about to set. There was a slightly perceptible glow of the sun rising in the east. It was barely light when we arrived at the Sesriem entrance and had breakfast while the sun rose. It was amazing to watch the colors of the dunes change in the light; first black, then blue to pale rose and finally to brick red. We headed out to hike the 5k to ... read more

Part I Namibia (formerly German South West Africa) April 30 - May 15 2006 NOTE: You can click on the photos to enlarge them - particularly helpful with route map. After a month of traveling in South Africa (see previous journal: South Africa - April, 2006) we headed north for Namibia, land of diamonds on the beach, great sand dunes, the Skeleton Coast, Etosha National Park, Cape Cross seal colony, among other wonders. Since Germany was the colonial power, German is still spoken by many folks in Namibia, but Afrikaans and English are more prevalent. German-style restaurants abound and lots of Germans vacation there - it has a very different feel from South Africa, especially Swakopmund on the coast. Some of you might remember that at the very time we were there, Brad Pitt and Angelina ... read more

Look After Your Man. The truck spluttered once, twice and finally turned over. “Its just the morning, it doesn’t do it any other time,” Derick reassured. “I checked it last night and it turned over just fine, hey?” We lurched out of Fort Namutomi and said goodbye to Etosha. “Could you do me a favour?” I racked my brain to what the favour could possibly be. Coming up with nothing that would require me to walk into the men’s toilet, I figure I could make it out with my dignity intact. “I need you to get the gas bottle refilled. There is a hardware shop, just go in and ask for a refill and a receipt. You should have time to get all the things that you need to do,” he asked. “Mm, hmm,” I agreed. ... read more

Did You See the Cheetah? Carl and Harald were ready first and sitting in their seats looking blankly ahead as the rest of us crammed our tents back into the truck. “I can’t believe it, we’re actually on time. Early even!” Derick marvelled. “Yes, can you believe it?” I replied, feeling a lot better for my momentous outburst. Turning the key into the ignition, the truck spluttered over into life. Derick looked at me. It didn’t sound healthy. Two guards sporting berets stood at the rest camp’s barrier. Idly they leaned against the wall, looking at their watch and the ever growing line of vehicles anxious to start their morning drive. The Spanish couple in front had raided an army surplus store for their outfits and the French looking lady behind us had a thermal of ... read more