the red red dunes

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Windhoek, Namibia
Monday, April 14, 2008

The alarm woke us up at 4:15. It was still pitch black out, stars shining brightly. But up we got, folded the tent and got Foxy fired up. We waited in line with the other dozen or so cars for the gate to open and then raced off into the dunes again for sunrise.

We were bracing ourselves for an even bigger dune-climb than yesterday's, but in fact there was none of that at all! We drove on to Dune 45 and when the paved road ended, continued on the sandy tracks. Foxy LOVED that and performed elegantly. We parked her just at Deadvlei lot and walked around, snapping pics of the beautiful dunes and their morning colours.

We left the desert and entered hills and mountain passes. There was still very little traffic. When there was any sign of life, it was often a donkey-cart and families loaded with gear and children.

Entering Windhoek was like being back in civilization. We arrived at the Arebbusch Campsite and Lodge around 14:00, cooked up a late lunch in their sparkling-clean kitchen, hung out our third load of laundry since beginning our trip just 5 days ago and caught up on a bit of email and news with their wireless internet.

Tonight we met up with friend Angela. We first met when we went to see her open house in Cape Town. That was back in the day when we thought purchasing a house in South Africa was a good investment. Lucky we didn't go through with that! She and her husband run a Leadership/Coaching company and from time to time she works in Windhoek. It was lovely to meet again.

Angela took us to Joe's Beer House, a must-do for any tourist here, or local for that matter. It has this old rustic feel to it, with toilet-bar seats, old bicycles and baskets hung everywhere, old wooden picnic tables and camping chairs, and some very tasty game meat on the menu. Matt had the "Fire in the Bush" meal. And when it came, the waitress lit the little shot glass of paraffin which was then poured all over the "bush" (or sliced potatoes). Oh, and there was also a piece of barbed wire with a hot pepper attached to it as décor on the plate. Strange. Very Namibian??!!

Start: Sossusvlei, NAM. 5:00
End: Windhoek, NAM. 14:00
Distance Travelled: 472 km
Road Conditions: gravel sometimes corrugated, then smooth paved highway
Temperature: still a nice dry heat. Evening chilly and breezy. No complaints. But needed extra fleece blankets and sleeping bag to keep warm.

Comments

Love to be there
Bonn and Matt: We had a chance to go there with you when we were in SA. Next time---chalk it up on my list.
Dad From Kam Wong, on Apr 14, 2008 at 06:30PM
Great beginning !
Wonderful pics Bonnie! Looking forward to following you. I'm in Europe for a few weeks but will be in Ottawa when you get there. Bon voyage! Eleanor From eleanorduncan, on Apr 14, 2008 at 07:12PM
WOW again!!
What a fantastic account of your trip so far. We can live every picture and blog with you. Keep it up. Wish we were there. Mum & Dad Jersey xx From sue.thornington, on Apr 14, 2008 at 09:12PM
awesome
So glad that Bon you can write the journal every day. Keep it up. Enjoy to read them and knowing you both are ok. The pictures are awesome, wish I'm there too to appreciate the beauty. Did Matt eat the poured pariffin? love mom From anjulia, on Apr 15, 2008 at 05:19PM
Amazing pictures!!
It looks incredible - like you're on the moon! ;)

I love reading all of this detail... I hope you're able to update this often throughout.

Are you guys picking up fridge magnets or something in every country you're in? If you're not, get on it - think of what an interesting fridge you'd have someday! From renapatel, on Apr 17, 2008 at 01:59AM

Pictures & Video

driving to Dune 45 and Deadvlei at 5 am
driving to Dune 45 and Deadvlei at 5 am
rising sun our WII shadows climbing a little
climbing a little
beauty at the top windy with blowing sand
windy with blowing sand
downhill us this is how far we've come
this is how far we've come
Foxy in her element
Foxy in her element
gorgeous wow YAY Bon and Foxy Matt YAY again smooth on the road back amazing our pride and joy, Foxy
our pride and joy, Foxy
Matt driving on dunes
Matt driving on dunes
Dune 45 and Foxy stunning Bon driving us back
Bon driving us back
Dinner at Joe's Beer House with Angela.
Dinner at Joe's Beer House with Angela.
Matt pours flaming alcohol on his plate.
Matt pours flaming alcohol on his plate.
Arebbusch campsite
Arebbusch campsite
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