DAY 10 – SPITSKOPPE TO ABA HUAB
Today was again not a long haul, 320km, via Uis and then to Twyfelfontein/Aba Huab where we will again pitch tent and head out to explore the area to see the organ pipes and the burnt mountain. The area around Aba Huab/Twyfelfontein is very scenic and we plan to do a trip at a later stage (in 2 or 3 years time) where we will stay in the region for about 7 days and explore it thoroughly.
When we were at Solitaire (Day 6), a tour guide warned us that the road from Spitskoppe to Uis (D1930) was closed due to the Omaruru River flooding the road and damaging the bridge. It was day 10 and we thought that the river would by now be passable. So we said our good bye's to Spitskoppe and hit the road.
Our day started with water....
......and sand
Good bye Spitskoppe
The road was indeed still closed, luckily there was a detour on the D1931 that would lead us to Okombahe and then from there to Uis.
When we reached Okombahe we had to cross the Omaruru River there. This was waiting for us. The road was also washed away.
Some locals informed us that the river was not to deep and even proof it to us by crossing it on foot. The water was indeed about knee height but the current seemed a little strong to me. The alternative was to turn around to Omaruru then to Uis or to cross the river. The latter won.
Approaching the crossing
The surface was a little rocky, but the current almost took me by surprise.
Safe and sound on dry ground (so to speak)
We wasted enough time and off to Uis it was. A lot of sandy patches ahead.
At Uis we filled up and had brunch.
On the way to Aba Huab we crossed the Ugab river.
And the storm clouds were surrounding us.
Turnoff to Twyfelfontein/Aba Huab. Wrong sir, you are heading back to Uis. That I would find out about 30km later, but what a scenic route. Full of water crossings and heavy sand.
Just after the turnoff the 1st river crossing, eish.
This piece of road turned into a river with heavy sand for more than 500m. On the way there, before we became aware that we were on the wrong road, we negotiated this piece with ease. This was on the return to the main road that I asked my wife very nicely to walk and see more, as by now I was exhausted. She humbly obliged and really took her time. She took a gentle stroll while I caught my breath and smoked a siggi.
Eish, more crossings.
And then the heavens opened. Luckily we were on the main road by now.
This is the right turnoff to Twywelfontein. Dom donner.
I was getting very tired and we still had a distance to travel. I made a pit stop and poured us some dutch courage. One whisky and Vodka please Mr. Barman.
Scenery at the pit stop.
Scenery on route to Aba Huab
Last crossing before Aba Huab
Aba Huab
Enjoying a cold one after a long and hard day
The view from our campsite
Our possie for the night
This was a very, very, very long day. We did not get to see the organ pipes or burnt mountain. We did see it previously on a 4X4 trip, so this one was skipped for now. We had a nice shower, a couple of cold ones, braaied a boerrie on buns and hit the shack. I could not recall my head touching the pillow. What an exhausting day, but hey, to be here is a privilege. Tomorrow we will tackle the bull by the horns, but for now, shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Topic: NAMIBIA (AS NEVER SEEN BEFORE) - ON THE ROAD AGAIN (MAPS NOW ATTACHED) (Read 22836 times)