We have stayed in Swakopmund for two days. Day 1 was spent looking around the town visiting all the shops and sights. Some areas were much more expensive than others and there is a huge German influence from buildings to language. Salt is produced and shipped from here and there is a large mining area ( minerals) not too far away. The locals are friendly but when you get near the market you have to ‘fight’ the avalanche of people wanting you to buy but you can ‘just take a look!’
Day 2 was spent on a cultural tour and wow when you get away from the centre it’s a whole different world - shanty houses abound. It was interesting to hear about apartheid here and how the Germans and locals worked together. There are quite a few different tribes and in the early days, because their conditions were different, there was a lot of jealousy and unrest. We visited two schools - one was run by a German lady with a couple of volunteers and was for the children who could not get into the local school. They basically couldn’t get in because there was no room. They rushed up to us and flung their arms around us - they were fascinated by my hair and wanted to touch it. We later visited a year 1 class and saw them working they sang us a song and we had to sing one back to them - difficult with me the lone Aussie plus two Americans so Old MacDonald tStwwas the song! We visited a medicine lady and had to learn how to talk in the clicking language. Later we had a choir sing to us and we were given local food - I only managed to eat half a caterpillar! The local girls were laughing and only a couple of them would eat one!
In the evening the group went to a restaurant called The Tug and it was a tug boat. Our table was up in the wheel house. I have to say the oysters here are the best I’ve ever tasted - so plump and juicy!
Another day another long trip! We travelled through more hilly areas and it’s becoming dustier and dustier. We stopped at the Tropic of Capricorn, took photos, back in the truck and a hundred metres down the road the truck stopped. Not being a mechanic I’m not sure what the exact problem was but a part had to be sent out and we were 4 hours away from there. After much work the driver got the part semi mended with super glue so we were off on a wing and a prayer! We limped into a camp site hours later, put the tents up in the dark, had dinner and then went to bed as we had to get up at 5am to go to view the sunrise from sand dune 45!
A walk up part of the sand dune led to a good sunrise viewpoint. I didn’t make it right to the top and was happy with how far I’d walked. Breakfast was next and then we were off on a to visit other dunes. The colours were really beautiful- I don’t think photos will do it justice. We returned to the camp site to find the tents being blown around and then came the job of putting them down. As I was about to help someone mine took off and it took 3 of us to hold it down and pack it up.
We had the dustiest trip by far to the next camp site - the dust was coming in from everywhere and you just taste grit all the time. We were able to ‘upgrade’ to little wooden rooms for $8 so none of us hesitated - it beat putting up the tent in the dark again. A quick trip to the bar for a G & T ($1.80!) certainly helped.
We’d had a good chat to the owner of the camp site whilst having our drink and he was telling us that he and some others were going out to hunt a leopard which had been killing their animals. Unfortunately when we woke up we found out that there had been a terrible accident which had left one man dead and thee owners son with serious head injuries - the vehicle had rolled!
Another jumpy dusty drive and we arrived at our next camp site. Tents up, lunch and then a drive to the Fish River Canyon. We walked along the rim of the canyon - it was very impressive with a 600m drop to the bottom. It was amazing to see something so untouched by man! We stayed to watch the sunset and the crew had prepared wine and some nibbles for us. A good camp fire and more mulled wine, even marshmallows warmed us up - the night was very cold!
Another day of tents down, breakfast and then on the road but luckily a shorter trip! We arrived at the Orange River and what a difference there was greenery instead of dirt! The camp site has grass for the tents and a swimming pool ( far too cold to get into even though very warm out!). The bar overlooked the pool and down below was the river. In the afternoon four of us went canoeing - it was really peaceful and interesting to see the countryside from the river mind you it was an 11 km stretch that we had to paddle! It took us two hours and we got back just as it was getting dark.
We had to change trucks and for once not take the tents down - they were staying in Namibia. We are a few k’s from the South African border and our original truck is registered in the UK and South Africa won’t allow it in! We now have a new driver but as there is only a day left of the trip all is good. Namibia took it’s time letting our crew leave - they think that this group are taking other peoples jobs - it’s all politics!!
The change in the countryside was very noticeable - so much greener and quite mountainous. Today we arrived at the camp site in the early afternoon but this time we were staying in a vineyard. Up went the tents and a quick shower soon had us ready for our wine tasting! Their sparkling was very good and they had a vermouth infused with rooibos tea - also very good. There was another group there as well and we oldies soon showed them a thing or two on the dance floor! The copious amounts of bubbles we downed - well it was our last night! - might have contributed!
Tents down - last time!! Early breakfast and we were soon on our way to Cape Town. Spectacular views of Table Mountain as we arrived. It was soon time to say ‘goodbye’ and then I headed off to a decent hotel for my last night in Africa. Arrive home Thursday.
Spent the afternoon at the top of Table Mountain - amazing! Am about to go for a massage
Had a fabulous time but all the camping has taught me that I’m NOT going on year 9 camp!
Cape Town from Table Mountain
No comments:
Post a Comment