Camping just outside of Windhoek

Camping in the shadows of one of Windhoek's dormitory suburbs.

Paradise

Paradise is a place with trees (shade!) and clouds.

Oh sweet Windhoek! Fresh nectarines (from Spain) and grapes (Egypt). Cheese & butter (South Africa).

We'll be gorging ourselves on perishables until the Jimny gets it's suspension upgrade and then head back out into the wasteland.

Out with the old...

And in with the new! Orion got new shooshoos today. His old loyal shoes have served him well: running, clambering, scrambling, dust,  sand, rocks, water, mud, thornes and spikes... they've been through it all.

Parts

The parts for the Jimny (suspension upgrade) are still in South Africa. 

We'll do a quick provision run in Windhoek and try again on Monday...

An hour away from Windhoek

Tomorrow we hit up the first big city since Cape Town.

One last night in our sweet, sweet tent.

That is, unless our parts aren't there, in which case we just drop in for provisions.

Somewhere cool and shady

Sun, sand and wind has taken it's toll. We are tired and need a rest.

We're hiding away in a rare shady spot in Namibia. The Nauklift Mountain Zebra park. There are mountains, clear steams and trees (there is also an aggressive and sexist baboon that keeps trying to steal our food).

Solitaire

We emerge from the wilderness just long enough to eat some apple pie, fill up the petrol tank, and experience more of Namibia's painfully slow internet.

We're close to Windhoek now. The big city. Can we handle it?

Sossusvlei

Ten decades later (almost to the day) and this spot is a little different than we remembered: more tourists, more tar, more greenery, alot more wildlife, a more comfortable day for the frogs amongst us. Altogether a spectacular day.

Sossusvlei picnic

We spent a night in a most uninspiring campsite. The wind also lifted our tent and threw it against a most uninspiring ugly metal structure in the campsite. Many many patches used to cover long horrible gashes.

Today, a much better day with picnics under big trees surrounded by Namib sand dunes and Oryx. Much climbing and clambering of dunes and general fun had.

Tourist attraction

We became the tourist attraction at the Wild Horse viewing platform when the Jimny was surrounded by german tourists off a tour bus who started snapping pix. 

Glamping

We've been camping (glamping) in some very nice places. 

We're getting close to Sossusvlei, so nice big dunes tomorrow. 

There's a new suspension on it's way to Windhoek for us. Jimny upgrade!

Namtib biosphere reserve

Reception...

It's been a while since we've blogged. Very slown connections when we have signal.

Activities: hiking, luxury camping (glamping?) and trying to survive heat. Also still trying to organize suspension upgrade, looks like we'll be stopping over in Windhoek...

3000km

1 1/2 months, 3000km. Neisipvlakte Plains, north of Aus.

Quest for Food

We are questing for a good restaurant in Lüderitz before we head back out into into the wild.

No luck yet.

In other news, we're lining up some upgrades for the Jimny in Walvis Bay. Our suspension is suffering with all the extra fuel and water we're lugging around.

Falling apart and booming at the same time

Luderitz is quite a place. A small German town where everyone speaks Afrikaans in the Namib desert.

It's tiny, but doesn't feel sleepy. There's a hustle and (German?) efficiency to the place. Things are well looked after and abandoned. Things are being built and falling apart.

There are shipwrecks and new shiny boats in the harbor. The sand is claiming back the land here, and being pushed away there.

It's also windy and cold.

I think we're in the Namib

I'm no expert, but I think we've transitioned from Nama Karoo to Namib Desert.

Wild horses

I went for a jog in the Fish River Canyon. There's a surprising amount of wildlife, and I got to see one of the wild horses up close.

Lüderitz

Drove across a martian landscape in a sandstorm to get to the end of the road: a very german frontier-feeling town in pastel colours.

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Migrant labour

This is a giant migrant labour informal settlement, likely forming the majority of the Aussenkeher population. The amazing thing about it is that it's neat and clean. Most structures are beautifully constructed out of reeds in the traditional style. 

A guide to surviving the harsh desert climate.

Self sufficiency is key. Always drive with spare water, food, and a spare spare tyre. Chicken schnitzel and WiFi are also a good idea.

DeHoop campsite

At sunrise...

Morning walk...

...and foxish contemplations

Namibia

After 2000km, and just over a month, we're crossing over into Namibia on a pontoon at Sendelingsdrif

Desert frog day

After many stupendously hot days...

Can you spot the Jimny?

Richtersveld

Amazing landscapes