We’ve been on the road for a couple of days and already we have forgotten what day of the week it is – a good sign that we’re enjoying ourselves. After Springbok (Bedrock) we charmed our way out of South Africa despite Oliver’s expired visa and drove across the Namibian border. We drove about three hours looking for a shop in which to buy some meat on the way to Ai-Ais Hot Springs. Nothing. Not a shop. Not a person. Two trucks. Pasta for dinner then. But really beautiful in a desert-like way. We pulled in to Ai-Ais in the late afternoon and as we stepped out of the car were blasted with 42c heat – we’d left Springbok at 12c. Off to the pool immediately then, only to discover that the pool is fed by the 65c hot springs and was about 45c. Ai-Ais perhaps set some false expectations of the remainder of the trip with its spa, sparkling pools, hot baths, restaurants and bar. Ben was obsessed with the hot springs and we found him meditating in one of the pools. When asked what he was doing: “meditating – duh. If I concentrate I can float above myself and see myself sitting here.” Woah. Transcendental meditation.
We are getting a glimpse of why people might have thought we were brave to embark upon this trip. It’s a lot of work! Tents, meals, fires, bruises, cuts, packing, unpacking, roof placement… and no Phosi (nanny) to pick up after us. I’ve been proudly wearing the same shirt since I left and forgot to pack any underwear. The kids are loving it though and having a ball – and it is going to be fantastic to spend so much time with them.
When we figure out how to get our Mac talking to the interwebs we’ll upload some pictures. Off to Kolmanskop this morning to see the town that has been consumed by the dunes and then Duwisib Castle tonight. Soussusvlei tomorrow then Swakopmund for two days.
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Comments
6 responses to “Namibia!”
CTP, this blog is beyond awesome! Best of luck to you and yours on your travels and I’m looking forward to living vicariously through you guys. Except the showering bit. I’m keeping my showers, thx. 🙂
Hey…let me know if there’s still a bathtub sitting in the middle of the street/dune in Kolmanskop. I’ve always wondered if the one I saw was a permanent fixture.
Good luck with the lack of underwear thing…and tell Ben he’s too young to be smoking pot!
just remember – don’t feed the wildlife
But if you do, make sure they get all they want
Don’t forget to visit the Bowling tavern……the one and only time I played ‘skittles'( and knocked them all down!)
Hope you have lots of deodorant with you !
Chris, Ben sounds way cool, I hope to get to meet him some day, or maybe he has heat stroke? (I would still like to meet him some day 🙂