Kruger and Southern Africa

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Dinner at "The Jetty":

 

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And, of course, the sunset; from the restaurant...

 

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Next day we headed south towards Walvis Bay...

 

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Walvis Bay


Most towns have a government housing project (or a shanty town); Walvis Bay is no different:




Along the waterfront...

 

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The Lagoon, Salt Works and Nature Reserve

This chap provides a map, directions and general information in return for a small donation:



Flamingos (Fluffy Mangoes):





Salt (obviously):

 

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More Fluffy Mangoes:







No wonder they end up pink:




The road continues towards the Atlantic...



And here it is:

 

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So after a quick cruise around Walvis Bay, the Lagoon and nature reserve, and the Salt Works, we are back on the C14 heading towards Solitaire...



through the Namib Desert.




Quite an amazing journey; if someone had told us we were on the moon, we would have accepted that.


There's the occasional hill...




After 25 mins at 100km we come to our first creek (well, it used to be a creek):

 

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We come to a lookout:




worth the stop:



Back on the road...





After 2 hours driving we enter some hilly country...

 

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The hills turn out to be the start of Kuiseb Pass...








This is the first fresh water we have seen since arriving in Namibia...

 

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More of the Kuiseb Pass...

 

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An interesting formation just off the C14:



A few drops of rain have given the desert a green tinge:




But not for long...






Then we head downhill again:

 

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This time it's the Gaub Pass...






This time we actually drive along the river valley for a km or two, but there's only a hint of water in this one...

 

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We pass a familiar landmark:



And on into the desert, again:




What's this? I seem to remember seeing something like this a long time ago.




A nice place to visit, but would you really want to live here...?





Apparently someone does:

 

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And so, three and a half hours and hundreds of photos after leaving Walvis Bay, we make it to Solitaire...




While filling up with fuel I spotted this guy repairing the roof on an adjacent building:





When I asked the bowser attendant what the building was used for, he looked me straight in the eye and without the hint of a smile said: "Fine Dining".

Of course, we visited the famous bakery:



As we arrived late in the day the range available was not extensive and past its best but we bought a slice or two before leaving.


We are told that the guy who started the bakery, and made it famous, passed away a couple of years ago:

 

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Then it's back to the desert (with a tinge of green):




And soon there are the first signs of life for hours (except for that tree):

 

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Our digs for tonight; the Namib Desert Lodge, Gondwana Collection:



We are met as we arrive at the parking area in front of reception by 'Romaine', the duty manager, with a frozen towel; very refreshing and a lovely touch. The rooms are two & a half star, possibly three:








Rooms are a little tired, but comfortable. Biggest issue is the air conditioner, which is on a timer - between certain hours it only runs for around twenty minuets before turning off. Power is an issue in Namibia but our room is uncomfortably hot. And there is no fridge to allow us to chill our own wine.....


Not really a problem because wine, beer and spirits are cheap, but something to keep in mind...

 

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The "public" areas, on the other hand, are very nice; a lovely ambiance all around...












While breakfast is included, dinner is optional. We are here for two nights and both nights is a Buffet for 300 Namibian Dollars per person. Excellent food and very tasty.

 

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The second evening we take the option of a Dune Drive; we will head up into the dunes and have sundowners watching from the top of the dunes:





It all started well...






Then there a few drops of rain and a little wind. Someone must have complained; +1 and I were fine but our guide decided to end the drive only 45 mins into a two and a half hour drive. Very disappointing.



So back to the lodge.


We didn't actually complain but when the manager came around asking how we were enjoying our stay, we took the opportunity to say how disappointed we were. They waived the charges - I would have been happy if they had charged 50%, but no, they refunded the whole fee. Very fair.

 

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Next day we drive a short one and a half hours south to Le Mirage, about 30 km south of Sesriem.






Le Mirage...

 

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More of Le Mirage...

There are two types of rooms, Camelthorn rooms are a little less expensive than the Oasis rooms which we are in...




We have a small balcony:






The bath/toilet facilities are at the other end of the room, way over there somewhere: