Tropic of Capricorn & Quad biking

Crossing over Tropic of Capricorn, it is weird to expect more than a sign to differentiate between north and south of the line.  For some reason I expected to see different landscape or geographical differences immediately on either side of the sign.     What was more amazing to me was some people on the tour did not know what the Tropic of Capricorn was in the first place.    My geography lessons memory could only dig up that it was below the equator and the Tropic of Cancer was above as the word Capricorn was longer than Cancer and therefore heavier so it sunk below the equator.

In Swakopmund we spent two hours quad biking through the sand dunes.  Now mother before you worry about if it is safe, I got issued with the hair dryer model quad bike and watched the rest of the group ride off into the sunset while I had my bike on full throttle.  It was a bit like Thomas the tank engine going up hills, "I think I can I think I can"

I even tried sandboarding, which was really like a comedy skit as I tried to climb the sand dune and kept slipping back down as the sand was so soft and then when I went down the dune, my helmet was too big for me so it slid forward over my eyes so I couldn't see a thing.    Maybe that was for the best as I didn't wipeout.  Although I am still getting the sand out of my clothes.

Namib-Naukluft

I was worried when the tour said we  were staying at a bush camp in the desert.   This is my kind of bush camp, flushing toilets, running showers, proper beds, electricity all under the same brick/canvas roof.   

The view from the bar is also not half bad.

Rising at dawn to avoid the heat of the day we climbed Dune 45, named that because it is 45km from the park entrance.  The red colour of the dunes is amazing and it was even worth the torturous climb to the top of the sand dunes before the temperature rose to 46 degrees. Even though you know if you fell off the side of the crest during the climb you will have a soft landing, it is still in unnerving to look at the slide down.  

As the temperature began to soar we visited Sossusvlei which is the end of an ancient riverbed.    By the time we walked through sand dunes to get there I was a little tired, hot and bothered of fully appreciate the place.

Finishing the day at Sesreim gorge for a short walk to see where the occasional flood waters in the desert have created a gorge over thousands of years.

Now where is a day spa when you need one?

Fish River Canyon

We crossed over the border to Namibia in time to reach Fish River
Canyon in time for the sunset.   The canyon is 30km across and 160km in length and as the sun is setting the colours of the canyon changes.  Despite my best attempts it is really not an event that can be accurately captured on camera.

Sipping wine while watching the sun set over the canyon was a great way to end the day after spending most of the day on bus on gravel roads.   A tad sore by the end of the day.

Khwa Ttu

In between long bouts of travelling on bumpy roads with a bus with poor suspension, we did make time to stop to visit the Khwa ttu education centre.

The tractor took us through the bush track to see a sample of what the bushmen huts looked like and how a camp was normally set up for maximum protection.   The tribal men only hunted enough as is required to feed their families and would not waste anything.  An ostrich egg is the equivalent to 24 hens eggs so can make enough omelette to feed a tribe.  The egg is then washed out and filled with water and sealed with bee wax to create a bpa free water bottle for the hunter.

Unless a man can light a fire and hunt without assistance he would not be given permission to marry as he is not seen as being able to provide for his family.   

I saw my first Springbok today at a distance and then a lot closer up later on, on my dinner plate.   Springbok curry was the speciality of the day. 

A springbok has a white rear end and when danger is sensed they will run towards the sun and flash their white rear at the predator to avoid becoming main course.

I failed the tracking test as it is important to know which Animal footprints you see as you don't want to run into a lion when you looking for a springbok.  I wouldn't last an hour with my powers of observation. 

Check out the toilet signs for male/female here:

The Capes

On the drive to the peninsula we stopped to visit the penguin colony.    The penguins were currently going through their annual moulting which involves shedding their feathers and growing new feathers.   They do not eat during the three week period as they have no protection for hyperthermia so they don't enter the water.  so really what I saw was ugly and hungry penguins .  Missed out on the timing for that one.

Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope is national park further than the eye can see with stunning coast lines and the end of Table Mountain can be seen in the sea just off the coast.

Luck was on our side and glad it wasn't wasted on happy feet penguins as there were four zebras at Cape Point which the tour guide says he has not seen in the area for five years.  All was going well until some over zealous tourist wanted a closer photo and scared  them off, not before I filled up my camera memory card though.

The trek up to the lighthouse was worth the shaking legs at the end with panoramic views of the peninsula.

Found a cure for motion sickness on a large coach travelling along winding roads - alcohol.   South African wine pours are "midi" size pours so two wines at lunch was ample to overcome travel sickness.

Tipping is something I am still adjusting to as someone shaking your hand is not them being polite.  There is an expectation of funds transfer during the hand shake.    I am so used to operating with minimal cash and doing everything on credit card or online banking back home having cash is my purse is a bit of a novelty.

Robben Island

The trip across to Robben island was very sobering.   

Ex political prisoners still reside in the island with former guards and is now a community of approximately 200 people.   The dog kennels were more spacious than the prison cells.   

 Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his 27 year incarceration at Robben Island in maximum security.   The swim from the island to the main land would have been harder than any rotto swim I have completed even though the distance is less.   I would struggle to get past the breaking waves which is why it probably made an ideal prison location.

Cape Town (Table Mountain)

Cape Town has not only met my expectations, it has exceeded them.    There is so much to do and see in and around the city centre.  

Starting the day looking out the hotel window with a spectacular view of Table Mountain is a great way to get out of bed and start sight seeing.     Timing the cable car visit to the top of the mountain happened to be pure luck that I got right.  It can often be closed due to weather, especially cloud cover.   Even fluked the timing that I didn't need to rug up like the Michelin Man to cope with the icy winds.     The view was incredible and my head really was in the clouds.   

It is taking some getting used to the security at hotels and properties here with gates, barbed wire fences and security guards.   I have not felt unsafe here and the most danger I have faced is hitting my head on the door of the mini van every time I get out.  Slow learner or fast forgetter?

We were shown the most amazing street filled with colourful houses which is often used for fashion shoots.   It really looks like a Dulux special for the week .

Africa - the journey begins

Welcome to Donna's awesome African adventure which starts in Cape Town ,
Ventures west through Namibia, Botswana , making a brief splash at Victoria Falls and finishing with a few days at Kruger National Park.