Day 6

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"Breakfast at 8 leave at 9"

The daily briefing complete, we leave the river lodge. Last night had ended with Jaeger shots, Jenga and a new way of drinking tequila that Charley showed us (with orange segments sprinkled with cinnamon). S today I'm feeling a little slow. Pam missed the late night activities having gone straight to bed after the truck ride.

Today we are headed towards the Fish River Canyon, another short day over mainly gravel roads. Namibia is dryer than a witches t*t, as they say, and away from the river, virtually nothing seems to survive. We gain altitude slowly, the temperature around 17.5, so the vents are all zipped up. Easy going mainly, until after a short visit to the hot springs at Ai Ais (good coffee but otherwise not worth the detour) and 180Km we arrive at our destination, the Canyon Lodge.

Set in a ring of mountains and rocks, this is a curious place. Separate stone villas arranged in a circle, pool (freezing, but experienced), clubhouse for bar and dinner. We lunch, swim and head for the canyon itself around 3 on bikes, a 45Km each way trip on dirt tracks.

The canyon is huge, quite a shock to the system. The river at the bottom is almost non existent, Namibia has had no rain here for a year. Apart form us bikers, there is not a soul about. Completely different to the Grand Canyon in that respect. Incredibly old rocks I am told, a pre-historic monument to a long dead world. Very silent and serene.

Back to the lodge for dinner and bed at 8.

9 hours sleep later, I am up at 5, ready for today's 508Km marathon. No internet tonight I am told so may not be back for a day or two.

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