Aus to Solitaire

Sorry for the long wait.. but good things come to those who wait... so here our story continues!

On the gravel road leaving Fish River Canyon to Seheim, Mia at first a bit like Hickup on Night Fury( How to Train your Dragon) suddenly was taking the lead and pointing out all the interesting things she observed along the way. Arriving in Aus some 230km later, we went straight to the campsite to pitch our tent and drove off to go see the wild horses of Aus. One of the theories are that the horses were set free together with all the slaves and workers of a German military official after the second world war.

Wild Desert Horses

Back at Klein Aus Vista (Our camp site) the only other people camping was a young German couple, Markus and Anna. This quickly turned into a friendship and a braai and we shared some good laughs. Thank you Markus and Anna ... Zahelo!

Anna, Markus, Mia & Hennie

The next morning we set off for Luderitz. Arriving with an angry wind our initial impression was not great.

Toothless was almost shipped home! hahahaha

At least the campsite made up for the gray experience. We booked tickets to visit the Ghost town of Kolmanskop for the following morning and enjoyed some Luderitz cultivated oysters!

Shark Island Camp Site - Luderitz

Enjoying Coffee and our camp view

We did the tourist thing and joined a guided tour of Kolmanskop. This town was established because of the diamond rush. It was amazing to see the German innovation and technology in this desert setting. They were even able to make ice from salt water. All the land now belongs to Anglo and the Namibian Government. The photo is an indication of what remains after the diamond rush. Our guide, Christo played the piano and sang to us to demonstrate the acoustic abilities of the entertainment hall... Christo, it's time to enter Idlos.

Kolmanskop Ghost town

On recommendation from Anna and Markus we changed our route to explore the Tiras mountains area. Here the landscape and climate started to change from a baron dry desert to a more green tree filled area. We arrived at the Koiimassis camp site just before a huge thunder storm. Probably the most amazing campsite yet. We got soaked in the storm while doing washing. This camp site was constructed and decorated to blend into the natural colour of the environment. A family of bat-eared foxes and "stokstert meerkats" greeted us on arrival. The farm has over 250 wild horses, leopards, cheetahs and spotted hyenas... and we were alone in the camp!!

Half way there

Hold to nose smell like a rose. Hold to light looks so bright!

Koiimassis Camp

The road into Koiimassis was very challenging. 20km of narrow sandy twin track.

Yet again our skills were tested but we made it! – Thanks again Rony.

Sandy road conquered

 Our next destination was Sesriem. Campsite.. not so great. We were also told that no motorbikes were allowed into the park to view Sossusvlei and the Valley of the dead.

Luckily we met a couple, concerned with our constraint who offered us a lift. The next morning we set off with  Oom Ben and Tannie Ria Scheepers at 5:45 am. And you all thought we are on holiday! Beautiful dunes, amazing colours and bloody hot! (%$#@).

Thank you Oom en Tannie for your friendly help and company. 

Mia on top of a huge dune

Sossusvlei

The dead Valley

Mia, Hennie, Oom Ben and Tannie Ria

After an exhausting morning we packed up camp and left for Solitaire. Only 60km to go we came across a VW polo lying on its side. We were first on the scene….

An elderly German couple (Both professors in psychology) took a bad turn and rolled their car.

Hans and Gisela suffered minor injuries, but Mia’s 1 ton first aid kit came in handy. Hans got given a head bandage to stop the bleeding and Gisela some game as a sugary drink.

A random beer drinking German stopped to help as well as some locals. We all got the car back on its wheels and off the road. We had no other alternative to load the two Professors and their luggage into the beer drinking German’s car. Hope they made it to hospital safely…

The Professors Polo

Job well done Mia!

Solitaire’s lodge was a treat. Wonderful food and lovely people.

Solitaire Lodge

The following morning we left early for Windhoek. This stretch, the last of +-800 km of gravel road presented even more changes as the lust green completely covered up the last remains of desert. We stopped for a break under a tree and were attacked by what the local people call, Tampas, a type of tick. These boys wasted no time and it reminded us of an attacking Spartan army.  So our break was cut short..

Road to Windhoek

 

We arrived in Windhoek.

Staying with Suane and Nico and looking forward to explore the city of Windhoek and our weekend in Ethosha.