DAY 4 SPRINGBOK TO QUIVER CAMP / KEETSMANSHOOP
This was a special day, Namibia, here we come.
Our aim for the day was to reach Canyon roadhouse. The route would be roughly Vioolsdrift, along the Orange river to Rosh Pinah, halfway back the same route, left on a 4X4 route to Ai-Ais, Fish river Canyon and then Canyon Roadhouse. Things changed a bit, but a little of that later.
The flies at Springbok irritated all kinds of shit out of me, and I was awake from 2:30 that morning. Irritated and on the edge I woke my wife and we started to pack. At around 06:00, still dark outside, we decided to hit the road. Nice surprise, it was raining, no problem, we came prepared, rain suits came out and on. Nothing could damper our spirits, we were heading for Namibia.
Early morning departure
The road were wet
When you start seeing these cuttings, you very close to Vioolsdrift.
RSA border post
Happy days, ready to cross the Orange river
Crossing the Orange
WELCOME NAMIBIA
Approaching Namibia border post. Easy in, normal forms to be completed, be kind to the officials, they stamp your passport with a smile and then you purchase your road permit. Capice, on your way you go, sir.
A quick refreshments and fuel and on the way to Rosh Pinah. No sir, no go, the road is closed, washed away. The Fish river caused major damage and we were advised to take alternative routes. So the next stop will then be Ai-Ais.
On route to Ai-Ais
Heading down to Ai-Ais
The gravel roads started off in a very good condition, but gradually got worse. The zinkplates as we start to name it, (corrugations) became more apparent.
Entering the valley near Ai-Ais
Ai-Ais. Petrol is here available.
The eye
The Fish river were flowing
Car wreck on the way to Fish river canyon
Not too shabby
I’m trying to post a vidieo clip, hope it works
Koringkrieke was volop. My wife is shit scared of the stuff. Although they are cannibals, they harmless
Approaching Fish river canyon
The road to Hobas and the canyon
Fish river canyon
Look out point
On the road to Canyon roadhouse. We were going to cabin there, but it was way too early, so we decided to head for Seeheim and dos there.
Water was everywhere to see
Approaching Canyon roadhouse
On route to Seeheim
Then we hit a detour, the road to Seeheim were closed. Decision time, Seeheim from there were nothing more than 35km, the detour would be at leats 60km further. We took the closed road and hoped for the best.
The Lowen river
Our luck lasted, the road was at places heavily washed away and in some places it looked like a river, but rid able and we reached Seeheim without too much trouble. The road throuhg the Schaap river just before Seeheim were also badly washed away.
Seeheim Hotel
Here we had a couple of toots and inquired about the tariffs for a room as it was raining and we didn’t felt like camping. I almost had a heart attack when I heard what the tariff was and decided to head for Aus instead, another 200 odd km’s further. To give you an idée, a double vodka and tin of coke light cost me 50-00 Namibian dollars. My wife made the remark, “jy sal hom drink en jy sal hom geniet”. Well, I must admit, I did enjoy it, but were not prepared to order another.
It was late but we were in Namibia and I could ride all day long. On enquiring about petrol availability at Goageb, the lady at the Hotel said that Goageb had no petrol and there were no ways that I would reach Aus. We then decided to rather head for Keetmanshoop, 50 km back on tar, fill up there and sleep over.
We heard about Quiver camp accommodation, 20km from Keetmanshoop on the road to Koes that was reasonably priced. And what a nice place it turned out to be.
Come kitty
Some quiver trees
Sunset
Accommodation for the night
Yummy Kalahari chops
Topic: NAMIBIA (AS NEVER SEEN BEFORE) - ON THE ROAD AGAIN (MAPS NOW ATTACHED) (Read 23119 times)