Leaving town in a southerly direction to Walvis Bay...did I mention they produce very tasty oysters? we stopped to see the large flocks of flamingos before continuing our day's journey. Heading inland we soon encountered Kuiseb pass, a boulder-strewn wilderness of gravel and sand. Snaking our way up and over the pass left some of our group checking their insurance policies to see if they were covered for rock slides, cliff rollovers or heart failure.
Crossing a very narrow section, with sheer cliffs on the right hand side we were approached by an oncoming bus. Many of us were very thankfull that vehicles in Southern Africa drive on the left side of the road. Continuing around the next corner there was an audible pop and our truck became noticeably less stable. Pulling over, Kembo informed us that we would be stopping to fix a flat tire.
Now this is when Team Canada flew into action, ably assisted by Danish and Australian teammates. Within half an hour the tire was changed, making it a medal worthy accomplishment. Kembo was more than pleased by our ability to dig in and get dirty. As a team, working with skill and brute strength the challenge was successfully completed in the oppressive 40 degree heat. Patting ourselves on the back we have awarded ourselves an Olympic Gold Medal. Controversy has arisen from the fact that the Danes and Ozzie's are "honorary Canadians" so we are presently waiting for a final ruling from the IOC!
Passing scorched landscapes that extended to the horizon we were amazed to see oryx, springbuck and ostrich nibbling on the sparce vegetation . These hardy desert dwellers are capable of meeting their water requirements through the dry grass and scrub vegetation that they eat. The ostrich complement this diet with insects, lizards or fruit, when it is available.
About 5km from our destination we again felt a sway and instability with our truck...another flat! And it was the tire we had just changed. Kembo had originally planned to accept the "team" assistance but on further analysis of the situation he chose to drive to a garage for the required repair. As the truck had dual wheels on the back there was no problem driving for the repair. As this is being composed we are still uncertain as to the availability of tubes for the repair work to be completed. There could be a follow up essay on this subject.
Our adventure today involved a ten km hike into the sand dunes of Sossusviei. This area is within the Nabib Desert, one of the oldest deserts in the world. Besides climbing the huge sand dunes and sliding/running down the other side, we walked to an old oasis. This oasis is now called Deadviei and contains the remains of seven hundred year old dead acacia. The original stream that fed the spring was choked with sand dunes resulting in a slow decline and finally the death of the oasis. These camel thorn acacia have remained standing over all this time because of the support of their 80 metre tap root.
The hike was made more difficult by the fact that walking in sand is challenging and the 40 degree temperature soon wears you out...but we loved it! Kembo also took us for a hike in Sesriem Canyon, a naturally formed canyon that still has a permanent pool of water for the local animals to use. There is even a group of baboons that somehow manage to survive in this rugged dry land with the aid of this pool.
We have now had the opportunity to add warthog and zebra steak to our taste palate. The warthog...and this might surprise you...is the best game meat we have eaten.
Tonight was the last supper for four of our group as they are flying home to Denmark. We have quickly become close and we will miss our Danish friends.
On a closing note, the area we are in has not seen rain for many months. Yesterday afternoon and again this afternoon there has been a torrential downpour. We've brought them rain! Everyone thanks us!
These were just two of the hundreds of greater flamingo at Walvis Bay
Our roads were dusty and the landscape barren. Surprisingly, we saw many springbuck, oryx and ostrich.
A long and winding road. What's around the next corner?
The gang sets to work on the tire change. What a setting!
M&M conquer another one!
This is a BIG land with very little moisture. The acacia have roots that go down 50 to 80 meters.
Sociable weavers build "condos" that may hold up to 300 birds.
Off at 5:30am for breakfast followed by a sunrise walk in the sand dunes. Beautiful!
With the morning sun rising quickly, the landscape took on a reddish hue as our group posed for this photo op. The lady walking by on the right was from a different flock.
Kembo, our leader never lead us astray.
The team toughed it out on a very difficult climb.
The ostrich feather was a recent find. Very fashionable!
Anybody want to play in our sandbox?
Top of the dune...overlooking Dead Flei.
This former oasis is dry and dead, surrounded by sand dunes of tremendous height.
The trees are thought to be in excess of 700 years old.
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