Noob in Namibia - Page 2

Three Dawg · 04-09-2009, 10:41 AM

Dune 45 is the famous one- 45k from the main gate, but they are all beautiful. I took more pix of the other ones 'cos they hadn't been walked on.

A short walk took us to Deadvlei. The river sort of got squashed by the dunes, diverting it and leaving the trees without water.

We did a 'sundowner' drive later on in the day, On the way we came across a 6 foot long black mamba. You can perhaps see its head poking up looking at us. Our driver/guide Cliff wasn't going to risk going anywhere near it; they are very agressive and are not to be messed with.

And another African susnset. That thing is based on a Landcruiser. Crude, but effective.

Three Dawg · 04-09-2009, 11:18 AM

Back to the biking. We had to head north again because The Bear had to drop his bike at the BMW dealer in Windhoek and fly back to London for work. Me and 'er indoors would ride back to Capetown.

This is more like it...

Met this little fellow in Rietoog, a no horse town in the middle of nowhere. His mum ran a shop which had the essential cold drinks, some oil lamps, tin mugs and not much else. They were very friendly and we chatted for a while.

Not much to say about Windhoek, although we did find a funky bar called Joe's Beer House (I think) just around the corner from where we stayed. It was full of gigantic Germans. We dumped The Bear's bike at the BMW dealership in town and he flew out the following morning. We got back on and did the return trip properly. This next about 160km or so south of Windhoek. Another exciting sign!

Kids at a gas station on the edge of the Kalahari.

More to follow...

Three Dawg · 04-09-2009, 11:57 AM

Next stop, a lodge on the edge of the Kalahari. By now we were back on tarmac so cruising speeds were upped considerably, but I was also gassing up twice as often. The lodge, near Mariental had a 2km sandy road leading to it which was bloody difficult. I didn't drop it, but more by luck than judgement.

This fella dropped in for lunch. EEK!

Went out for another game drive in the afternoon. Rain in the Kalahari desert? What?

I haven't mentioned the wildlife- apart from the scorpions, deadly snakes and scarily big bugs that is. There was plenty to be seen, springbok, gemsbok, zebras, baboons, jackals and later on cheetahs, warthogs and meerkats were all spotted (and sometimes eaten) Some of these beasties were on the large side and equipped with armour piercing horns. If I'd had my Jota at least they'd have heard me coming...

OK, one last one. Sunset over the Kalahari. Man, this place gets under your skin.

Silver King · 04-09-2009, 12:39 PM

Fack! I miss being in southern Africa. Great pics!

Three Dawg · 04-09-2009, 01:43 PM

Me too! Can't wait to get back, love to see more but have to avoid the wet season.

Last few. Last stop in Namibia was Quiver Tree Forest near Keetmanshoop. These guys had three tame-ish cheetahs (one would tolerate a scratch on the head), warthogs and meerkats. Is there a more entertaining creature than the meerkat? I think not.

After Keets it was a straightforward run back town the B1 to the border and then the N7 to Cape Town via Springbok, Clanwilliam with a quick detour back to Tulbagh to retrieve my copy of Sam Manicom's Africa book from the guest house there.

I developed a grudging respect for the BMW during the trip. I don't think the engine is particularly inspiring (but then my 180 Laverda has a very charismatic mill) but as the advertising says, it did feel unstoppable and I had absolutely no complaints from my pillion, worth the price of admission alone. Namibia is so easy, it's safe and the people are amazing. And we had no problems at all in 4261 km over two weeks.

Cheers

Three Dawg

Frgich · 04-09-2009, 05:22 PM

Great stuuf, keep the picies coming. These meerkats are simply so cute. I like when they stand above the one of the holes to their underground maze, and then they swiwel as the wind blowes, outstanding

Dr LC8 · 04-09-2009, 06:13 PM

Great

Nic

windburn · 04-09-2009, 06:52 PM

This report should help to make South African adventure riding a possibility with Rentals available. This has been a nice report.

tenderfoot · 04-09-2009, 09:38 PM

Short, sweet and excellent photography.!

Thanks.

Three Dawg · 04-10-2009, 05:02 AM

Quote:

This report should help to make South African adventure riding a possibility with Rentals available

Definitely. OK, we had to drive from Inverness to Edinburgh and then fly EDI-LHR-CPT but of course there is no jet lag, so we were on the ground at eight and on the bikes before noon. Helps maximise valuable time off..

Cheers

Three Dawg

Vicks · 04-10-2009, 06:15 AM

thanks for a very sweet, interesting and well paced RR

nice pics too

sandgroper · 04-11-2009, 04:58 PM

Great pictures and story, thank you.

cheers, ed

robblack · 04-12-2009, 03:15 AM

Very nice!

dickosaurus · 04-12-2009, 07:19 AM

Quote:

If I'd had my Jota at least they'd have heard me coming...

Loved that. And what a melodoius sound they do make.

Thanks for posting- good pics, good write up, interesting part of the world- looked like a fun trip for the both of you.

dave6253 · 04-12-2009, 11:39 PM

Thanks for sharing! Excellent photos of another place I would love to see.

04-09-2009, 10:41 AM	#16
Three Dawg ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Bonnie Scotland Oddometer: 310	Dune 45 is the famous one- 45k from the main gate, but they are all beautiful. I took more pix of the other ones 'cos they hadn't been walked on. A short walk took us to Deadvlei. The river sort of got squashed by the dunes, diverting it and leaving the trees without water. We did a 'sundowner' drive later on in the day, On the way we came across a 6 foot long black mamba. You can perhaps see its head poking up looking at us. Our driver/guide Cliff wasn't going to risk going anywhere near it; they are very agressive and are not to be messed with. And another African susnset. That thing is based on a Landcruiser. Crude, but effective. Three Dawg screwed with this post 12-10-2011 at 10:05 AM

04-09-2009, 11:18 AM	#17
Three Dawg ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Bonnie Scotland Oddometer: 310	Back to the biking. We had to head north again because The Bear had to drop his bike at the BMW dealer in Windhoek and fly back to London for work. Me and 'er indoors would ride back to Capetown. This is more like it... Met this little fellow in Rietoog, a no horse town in the middle of nowhere. His mum ran a shop which had the essential cold drinks, some oil lamps, tin mugs and not much else. They were very friendly and we chatted for a while. Not much to say about Windhoek, although we did find a funky bar called Joe's Beer House (I think) just around the corner from where we stayed. It was full of gigantic Germans. We dumped The Bear's bike at the BMW dealership in town and he flew out the following morning. We got back on and did the return trip properly. This next about 160km or so south of Windhoek. Another exciting sign! Kids at a gas station on the edge of the Kalahari. More to follow... Three Dawg screwed with this post 12-10-2011 at 10:07 AM

04-09-2009, 11:57 AM	#18
Three Dawg ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Bonnie Scotland Oddometer: 310	Next stop, a lodge on the edge of the Kalahari. By now we were back on tarmac so cruising speeds were upped considerably, but I was also gassing up twice as often. The lodge, near Mariental had a 2km sandy road leading to it which was bloody difficult. I didn't drop it, but more by luck than judgement. This fella dropped in for lunch. EEK! Went out for another game drive in the afternoon. Rain in the Kalahari desert? What? I haven't mentioned the wildlife- apart from the scorpions, deadly snakes and scarily big bugs that is. There was plenty to be seen, springbok, gemsbok, zebras, baboons, jackals and later on cheetahs, warthogs and meerkats were all spotted (and sometimes eaten) Some of these beasties were on the large side and equipped with armour piercing horns. If I'd had my Jota at least they'd have heard me coming... OK, one last one. Sunset over the Kalahari. Man, this place gets under your skin. Three Dawg screwed with this post 12-10-2011 at 10:13 AM

04-09-2009, 05:22 PM	#21
Frgich Studly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2007 Location: Europe-Croatia-Zagreb Oddometer: 728	Great stuuf, keep the picies coming. These meerkats are simply so cute. I like when they stand above the one of the holes to their underground maze, and then they swiwel as the wind blowes, outstanding __________________ If You wish to be out front, Then act as if you were behind Lao Tzu

04-09-2009, 06:13 PM	#22
Dr LC8 ...soon or later Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Manchester...but from Rome! Oddometer: 588	Great Nic __________________ Explore Alps Off Road: www.over2000riders.com Road 2012 Ducati Multistrada 1200 2008 KTM LC8 ADV 2010 KTM 690R Trips:Europe,Africa,Asia

04-09-2009, 12:39 PM	#19
Silver King Maita'i roa ae! Joined: Apr 2007 Location: Saint Rosie, California Oddometer: 1,801	Fack! I miss being in southern Africa. Great pics!

04-09-2009, 01:43 PM	#20
Three Dawg ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2009 Location: Bonnie Scotland Oddometer: 310	Me too! Can't wait to get back, love to see more but have to avoid the wet season. Last few. Last stop in Namibia was Quiver Tree Forest near Keetmanshoop. These guys had three tame-ish cheetahs (one would tolerate a scratch on the head), warthogs and meerkats. Is there a more entertaining creature than the meerkat? I think not. After Keets it was a straightforward run back town the B1 to the border and then the N7 to Cape Town via Springbok, Clanwilliam with a quick detour back to Tulbagh to retrieve my copy of Sam Manicom's Africa book from the guest house there. I developed a grudging respect for the BMW during the trip. I don't think the engine is particularly inspiring (but then my 180 Laverda has a very charismatic mill) but as the advertising says, it did feel unstoppable and I had absolutely no complaints from my pillion, worth the price of admission alone. Namibia is so easy, it's safe and the people are amazing. And we had no problems at all in 4261 km over two weeks. Cheers Three Dawg

04-09-2009, 06:52 PM	#23
windburn Beastly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2007 Location: A Corn Field in Enon. Ohio Oddometer: 1,135	Very Nice report and Photgraphy This report should help to make South African adventure riding a possibility with Rentals available. This has been a nice report.

04-09-2009, 09:38 PM	#24
tenderfoot PRJ Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Gauteng, RSA Oddometer: 1,409	Short, sweet and excellent photography.! Thanks.

04-10-2009, 06:15 AM	#26
Vicks I love sand !!! Joined: Oct 2006 Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE Oddometer: 2,574	thanks for a very sweet, interesting and well paced RR nice pics too __________________ '07 KTM Adv990S No myriad hues of laser lights no bottles that are oozing with nectars from heaven, no beautiful body soft and warm to the touch but, i have a very small desire.. Give me a dark.. long.. winding road, three gears to go and my Hellas on fire.. 950Rally picture thread

04-11-2009, 04:58 PM	#27
sandgroper Beastly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Wanneroo, Western Australia Oddometer: 4,255	Great pictures and story, thank you. cheers, ed

04-12-2009, 03:15 AM	#28
robblack keep riding Joined: Feb 2009 Oddometer: 19	Very nice!

04-12-2009, 11:39 PM	#30
dave6253 ad-ven-cher-uhs Joined: May 2006 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Oddometer: 2,537	Thanks for sharing! Excellent photos of another place I would love to see. __________________ My 25 Ride Reports! dave6253.smugmug.com

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: .
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode