BACK TO WHERE IT ALL BEGAN…..

We left Swakopmund behind and headed into the heart of the Namib Desert,,,,which surprisingly was really quite cold!!! We arrived in the Namib Naukluft national park and were in bed super early as the next day saw us start the truck at 4.14am so we could reach dune 45 in time for the peeps to negotiate their way to the top for sunrise. I know I’ve probably said this a million times but these dunes NEVER fail to take my breath away. The drive from the main gate to dune 45 coincidently is exactly 45 km’s and with the sun just beginning to peep the dunes are stunning eerie black silhouettes! It was an uncomfortable 7 degrees at that time n the morning so breakfast at the bottom of the dune was an eclectic mix of socks and flip flops and pj bottoms tucked into socks!!

Leaving the sand dunes behind we started our 2 day drive to Fish River Canyon where we stayed at a new camp called Canyon Road House……so ive mentioned this place as it would be a shame for the showers o go un-noticed……my word they’re amazing. We walked along the bleak edge of the second largest canyon in the world with the river bed at the bottom waiting patiently thirsty for the torrent that should arrive in a few months after what promises to be a rainy season to rival that of last year (where half of Namibia washed away……seriously!) The weather was incredible and we had a full shot of the pink sunset over the canyon without 1 single cloud in the sky!

Next day we were South Africa bound and once the boarder was crossed we inched our way on the bumpy mountain pass to our camp on the Orange River for what was the hottest day on tour with our geeky temperature telling apparatus showing temperatures of 52 degC!!!!!

The atmosphere was still pumped as though it was the first day of tour when we arrived at our last camp Highlanders and it was heightened even more by Spark’ys legendary wine tasting. And then…..it was time……..for CAPE TOWN. It was a standard early morning and the peeps coupled by hangovers made their final journey in our beasty truck to one of the most beautiful cities in the world. We stop at Blouberg Strand, which offers amazing views of the city perched precariously below Table Mountain, and the weather was divine! We’d had reports that the Cape had been particularly miserable but as we made our descent to sea level and caught our first glimpse of the mountain we saw that the sun would be shining all day. The guys hopped out of the truck and into a mini bus for their township tour then were returned to us for the last time at Green Point.

Goodbyes were said and promises to keep in touch were made. As I write from our hostel, the truck stands empty and clean (as clean as you’ll ever get an overland truck lol) outside waiting to get to the office and workshop tomorrow for some well-deserved rest. All paperwork is finished and finalised and bags are packed. In 18 days time we will be starting all over again, darting around the continent and taking new adventures. Until then though hope you all have a Merry Christmas and fantastic New Years!!!!

YES IT RAINS IN THE DESERT,,,

I must start with saying that yes it is a very common misconception that the desert sees no rain at all….while I must say that for most of the year this is very true and the Namib is no different, for many months it is exactly what you would think it to be,,,dry arid and dusty (I’ve not put hot on here as in winter it’s ice cold, but that’s a different blog post entirely). However, for a few months every year the clouds role in and the pressure builds and then it comes,,,,,,the rain and believe it or not it’s a welcome relief from the harassing heat that comes a couple of months before the rain arrives.

As we arrived in Etosha National park the sky was black and the anticipation of deafening thunder and blinding lightening was tangible. We drove the 18km’s from the main gate to our camp site hoping to beat the downpour and racing the clouds we just manage it. Having set up camp we headed out for a short afternoon game drive where we spotted elephants, Zebra, Giraffe and Brown Hyena….my first!! The rain eventually came and hammered down but thankfully had decided to vanish as quickly as it came so when we arrived back at camp, although everything was a tad soggy we were able to chill out outside next to the fire without the threat of getting soaked ourselves. The next morning was early and promised sunshine as we headed out for a day of game driving. We were lucky enough to spot 2 white rhino’s giraffes, zebra, blue cranes (another first for me) and heaps of different gazelle. As the sun burned high and hot the animals disappeared deeper into the shade of the bush we headed back to camp to spend the late afternoon chilling out by the swimming pool.

From Etosha we headed deeper into Namibia and spent the night at Spitzkoppe where the pointy heads were climbed and for sunset and slept on under the full moon. Then it was time to hit Swakopmund for 2 whole nights in complete comfort. While some people opted for hurling out of planes (parachute attached ;) ) while others decided to speed down the sand dunes reaching up to 75km’s an hour, whatever the activities it’s safe to say everyone has come away with a huge adrenaline filled smile.

I can’t believe it’s only 6 days until we get to Cape Town and 3 ½ months is nearly up but before we get there we’re headed deeper into this amazing country and tomorrow we’re hitting the Namib Desert where the people will be getting involved in a Namib Desert walk and climbing the most photographed dune sand dune in the world Dune 45.

Until nest time folks J