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Two weeks was far to short for us to claim we have conquered Namibia, we really just had a taste! In our 4x4 (Honda CRV just qualifies) we headed toward Namibia from CPT, Nige has packed the car, we had fire lighters, mosquito tablets, foil, spuds, pasta, bolognaise, corn etc etc (we were well packed).
This was 3 weeks ago... our first destination was just outside of Clanwilliam, still in the Cape and found us on a river in tents, unfortunately it was wet :( just the reminents of the bad weather mum and dad had brought with them from England!! We ate, slept and walked, preparing ourselves for the long journey over the border and to our first stop in Namibia - the fish river canyon. We were quick quick through the border and after a long day in the car arrived at our lodges in the middle of no where - mum swam, the water was freezing, we walked to see the sunset and walked again in the morning, we also pulled up at the canyon, the 2nd largest in the world where vs the other 4x4's we felt very inadequate!!
Our next step was south of Soussvlei and at the Family Hideout, the remotest placed we had ever stayed in our lives, we had our very own nature reserve, bok and Oryx, open fire and desert! We had a lovely morning walk into the desert, the sand is orange red, lovely and warm and mountainous - lots of photo's from this spot. There were numerous boules tournaments, some feasts prepared by Nige and I think I polished off two books - lovely. We rested here for 2 days before venturing out toward Soussvlei and a very early morning hot air balloon ride (to say the roads were awful is an understatement), our take-off spot was again in the middle of no where. Very strange sitting in the car, in the middle of no where at 5.45am waiting for signs of life! Eventually a convoy of jeeps started to come toward us and before we knew it the balloon was up and we had all piled into the basket. We travelled 3km admiring the most incredible views of the desert and the fairy cirles created by fungi & plant growth. The following champagne breakfast was magical, the sun had risen the food and company were g8 and again the scenery was breath taking.
Following our early morning start we stopped off for the best apple pie in Namibia and then undertook the treatrous road between Soussvlei and Swakupmund - Davo drove, something to be applauded :) Soussvlei was enchanting and a real culture shock after days in the desert. Here we stayed in a b&b, ventured out for dinner in the evening and enjoyed the Living Desert Tour (see macro shots of the little 5) and a Marine Cruise (see dolphin and sealion). Both tours were fantastic and we all enjoyed sealions on our boat, dangerous spiders somersaulting down a dune and salamander's appearing from beneath the sand and disappearing as quickly.
Our next stop was in the Erongo mountains, a stunning location, again tents but this time on stilts and built into the rocks. Mum & dad were up early for a 6am sunrise walk just before the sun came up and burnt us all to ash :) the temperature certainly reached 40 degrees here. Again we ate well, read, lounged by the pool and enjoyed the scenery.
After Erongo, sticking entirely to tar roads :) we headed toward Windhoek. It was quite a shock to be in a city again. We headed here to the NBL brewery where we enjoyed a tour and sampling in the bar, plus mum & me checked out the craft market. I forgot to mention throughout the holiday dad & Nige had numerous chess encounters, I think Nige was the clear champion but I could be wrong. We ate here at a Cameroon restaurant - g8 food!
Finally, back to the Orange River, Namibia side, lovely chalets, g8 food a la Nige, some canoening, mum & me and more boules, reading and swimming in the pool. Our last day of holiday was spent back in the Cederburg Mountains, 1.5 hours from Clanwilliam and again very, very remote. A beautiful spot, housing only 10 guests, fully catered and beside a river. So tranquil, such g8 food and g8 company - 4 other guests and wonderful hosts - Oudrif is certainly a spot we will return to.
Phew, that's it from Namibia, my wrists are aching from typing, it was a fantastic holiday, very varied, hot and enchanting with lots of adventures. Hope all reading this are well, we miss you all, much love Cath & Nige xxx
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