Nov 17, 2012 - Ab in die Wüste

Heute mussten wir schon um 4.30Uhr aufstehen und unsere Sachen und Zelte packen. Erst nachdem alles feritg war gab es Frühstück, sodass wir um 6.00Uhr erneut zu einer 10h Fahrt in die Namib Wüste aufbrechen konnten. Je näher wir kamen, desto karger wurde die Landschaft und desto wärmer wurde es. Als wir abends ankamen, waren es 39grad. Wir hätten dann noch einen Ausflug zu einem anderen Canyon machen können aber die meisten waren zu geschafft durch die Hitze ( auch ich). Durch den sandigen Untergrund mussten wir den Abend sehr auf Skorpione...

Jul 13, 2012 - Day 20 Sossusvlei - Namibia

After a small detour of about 50 KM as we missed the turn off to Sossusvlei in the dark - we made it at sunrise - This is one of those places that in a life time you should visit if you have the opportunity - Utterly stunning and amazing scenery. We Climbed Dune 45 the girls and I - Isabel filmed from the ground. We deflated tires to drive in deep sand - which was so much fun I managed to bend a rim. We did all the Vlei's - Super expedition. At night Peter and Rikka caught up with us enabling us to head off together the next day By Thomas

Jul 10, 2012 - Day 19 - Savosnicks to Windhoek and Hansen's to Weltvrede guest farm

OK an update from Namibia on the Trangsrud-Savosnick contingent. We drove in late last night in the dark from the border crossing after Botswana. A long and slow drive because the injector pump was leaking. The car went into a specialist injector pump shop this morning which I eventually found after ten stops and ask for direction. Windhoek is relatively large and down town area has a lot of one way streets. We should get the car in the next hour and be of the way to Souselsvlei reaching there by 8-9 pm according to my estimates. The kids...

Nov 23, 2011 - Sossusvlei

Friday, November 23 - Sossusvlei It was a pretty good sleep with great beds and down comforters, however, at around 1am they turned off the generator (they don't normally but one is broken and they have to). That meant my fan shut off and it got hot in the tent as I had the canvas sides down. So, tonight it will be outside... Its an early rise at 4:45am. Its time to see the dunes of Sossusvlei. After an early breakfast we are off by 6:00am! The guide drives through the private gate of Tsauchab River. The colors once again this morning are...

Nov 22, 2011 - Windhoek, Namibia to Sossusvlei

Thursday, 11-22-12 SA to Windhoek , Namibia to Sossusvlei Happy Turkey day to all!! I wish you all a great day with family and friends. Once again I am so very thankful to be able to see the world and have such good family and friends that support me along the way. Hopefully, one day I will be able to give back even more through a charity that I create! Oh, the night was waay to short, but loved sinking deep into the cloud of clean pillows and fluffy comforter! And, I got to have coffee with real cream as I got ready in the morning AND got...

Nov 17, 2011 - Dune 45, Deadvlei and Sossesvlei

The park permit cost 80 Namibian each. Another sixty kilometers in to get to Sossesvlei but we will stop at kilometer 45 to se the famous dune. Al and I have climbed it on a previous trip and Elaine and Dick had no desire so we took photos admired the dune and headed to the end of the road where we had to park the motor home. From here there is a four wheel drive shuttle to take us the last five kilometers. This portion cost another 100 Namibian each. The heat was already a factor. Trail head signs to Deadvlei take us on 1.1 km walk through...

Oct 5, 2011 - Bl***y "auto correct" strikes again!

I really should know by now to check what I type more closely before hitting the send button. Obviously, the inventors of "auto correct" have never heard of the word "pan" and sneakily changed it to Pam while I wasn't looking! Does this mean, I wonder, that the makers are associated with a cooking oil spray company?!! The mind boggles! Well, hope you all figured out I was referring to a clay pan (as in flat area) and not to a kitchen product OR utensil!!

Oct 5, 2011 - Another bit of "bathroom humour"!

Travel tip #2 for ladies Firstly, thank you to the various (gentle)men who commented that using a bread roll - or any other material for that matter - is not a normal part of their toilet habits!  Yes, I know that!  However, we ladies are built somewhat differently (and aren't you glad about that?!) and we rather prefer a "drying experience"! So, here's another scatological episode (look it up!!!).  There I was, out in the Namib desert, with a significant wind blowing dust around to the point of occasional zero visibility, and we all three...

Oct 5, 2011 - Desert, Dunes and Dirt

Desert, Dunes and Dirt! Today we had a 6:00 a.m. start in order to get further into the Namib Desert to see the fantastic red sand dunes. Although many km inland (about 55 km inland where we were), these enormous sand dunes have blown in from the sea and are continuously moving inland with the prevailing winds. The colours of the sand in the early morning light are fabulous - dark reds, purples, pinks, etc., with dark shadows on the "non-sun" side. We wanted to stop every couple of minutes to photograph the effects but time wasn't on our...

Oct 4, 2011 - One for Muriel A!

This is for you, Muriel! Just wanted to let you know the four knitted dolls have been given to four little girls in Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, and they were all thrilled. I also handed out dozens of ordinary and colour pencils and tennis balls. The kids (and parents) are so grateful for anything. For those who don't travel the world, you can't imagine how incredibly fortunate we are in Canada. We truly do live in the most blessed country. (Here endeth tonight's lesson.......)!!!!!! Dx

Oct 4, 2011 - Keep it to yourself, Buddy!

Quick update --- today we crossed paths with a spitting cobra. Thankfully, his mouth must have been dry and he had no spit to spit! Fine with me! Very early start in the morning (which will be Oct 5) to see the huge, red sand dunes. Hope light is still good by the time we get there! Off to my "hut" for the night! Dx

Oct 4, 2011 - Sorry about no photos

Hi Several people have asked why there are no photos, apart from on one blog entry. Afraid the technical equipment here is SO limited that it is virtually impossible to send them out. I promise to bore everyone to death with pics of fish eagles when I get back! Geez...even I got sick of taking photos of fish eagles!!! Dx