Day 6: Sossusvlei to Swakopmund
While braaing last night we were blessed with the most beautiful sunset. The sun sets at around 7:30, later than what we are used to for this time of the year.
During the night a howling wind blew up, I’m pretty relieved we weren’t camping last night. The wind was still in full gale force this morning, forcing us to have our coffee and rusks indoors. Again we were fortunate to have visited the dunes yesterday. Hiking to Deadvlei would have been miserable with the wind blasting sand into out faces.
As we were about to set off Gray heard a hissing in the engine. Upon investigation he discovered that a mouse or some such rodent had been nibbling on some of the pipes. Fortunately he is very handy with fixing things and soon had us on the road, sad to leave this beautiful area.
Today’s journey was 340km to Swakopmund, along gravel roads. The wide road started off bumpy and rutted. This is unusual as the roads are usually really well maintained. No sooner had we voiced this, when we came across a familiar site on the roads of Namibia, a big yellow grader. The grader drivers spend weeks out on the gravel roads, grading them. They take their accommodation and provisions with them in a yellow caravan.
From then on it was an easy drive to Solitaire. Solitaire is a tiny settlement that features the only gas station, restaurant, bakery and general dealer between Sossusvlei and Walvis Bay. It is a quirky place with old car wrecks strategically littering the area. Seeing the old cars always reminds me of my dad and his love of vintage cars. It is worth a stop if you are in the area, the treats from the bakery are fresh and delicious.
The road, which passes over the Tropic of Capricorn and goes through the Gaub Pass, was particularly busy. No doubt because it is the main route to Sossus from Windhoek and Swakopmund. The terrain was again varied, ranging from wheaten grass to mountains and white desert sands.
The drive into Walvis Bay and along the coastal road to Swakopmund is not particularly pretty. It’s is, however, always a pleasure to see the flamingoes in the pans upon entering Walvis. We were surprised or see that a huge mall had been built and obviously we saw the oil rigs just off shore.
We are staying at the Hansa Hotel for the next 3 nights, while we explore and prepare for the next leg of our journey north.
This coastal city was established by German colonists in 1892 and still, like most old southern Namibia, has a very German influence, as is evident in the language and architecture.
Obviously no trip to Swakop is complete without a visit to the Brauhaus to explore the delicious tastes of Germany.
Pandas in Africa 