SWAKOPMUND Day 4

29 Nov 18

I had forgotten my shoes and only short pants I have in the reception of Soususvlei Lodge, cause I was talking tak to the only other guy that hiked the dune , I beat by the way, and damn foreigners will bend your ear off. So I called them and they gave it to  group the headed up here but I had to walk around the town in my cycling shorts the whole day. Bought some supplies, well actually raisins, peanuts and Ouma Rusks and some Simba chips and had some wide foot pegs fitted on my bike. Walked town flat and had a lekka stik cake at Anton's with a real good cup of coffee, something the Germans can do without screwing it up. The whole town is owned by Germans and tons of German tourists here.
Went back to Tiger Fish for some Hake and chips and a Winhoek Draught.

Sesriem - Swakopmund 348km Day 3

28th Nov. 18

I rose even before the sparrows farted today, at 4:50am. Asked up in the dark and ws gone by5:30 as I had booked a Dune and Deadvlei Tour (R 775). To Soususvlei is 62km and Big Daddy, one of the tallest dunes there (380 m) which is alongside Dooievlei and provides panaromic views from the top.
We stopped and had breakfast t Soususvlei and then I hiked up Big Daddy which was quite the hike in the sand along the crest and made it up in 66 minutes. The views were spectacular of the vlei and surrounding dunes. It only took 5minutes 10 seconds to run down the entire fce of the dune onto Deadvlei, more tiring than I had anticipated. It's a photographers paradise with the colors of the dunes, sky and white bleu, unfortunately my lame pictures don't capture the stunning surroundings.

Yet again I met a Korean just like the last time I was here, he had no selfie stick which was strange but I did get some pictures for him, Namibi was his 70th country he had visited. Headed back to Sesriem under the baking sun and saw some Orynx and Blue Wildebeest.
Changed into my riding gear in the hotel bathroom only to forget my wallet and phone on the toilet , luckily a lady went in and brought it out to me. My brain was melting it was so hot.

Headed north to Swakopmund and the gravel road was  little rough in some areas,  but 348 km liter I was at Alte Bruck Campsite at 19 deg C on the coast as opposed to the 37 deg C inland . Went to Tiger Fish for Calamari and chips, after two nights of lamb rolls was nice to have a decent meal and a Windhoek draught overlooking the Atlantic.

Ai-Ais - Sesriem 673 km. Day 2

27 Nov. 18

Got up at sparrow fart and packed up and left for Sesriem. Stopped just past Fish River Canyon for a bite and fuel. A poor tourist came back from breakfast only to have a pap wiel, then as I was talking to the petrol attendant he a car came by and he said the guy had a pap wiel and as I looked I saw the tyre come off the rim and roll off the road.

Dirt roads are in good shape and am only doing 100 kmph , siding on caution and when I hit sand and the pebble it's not to bad. Was uneventful except for the Ostrich, Springbok and Orynx that crossed in front of me.
Camped at the Engen campsite (R150). Another bloody hot day riding but the scenery is spectacular and just nobody around.

Cape Town - Ai-Ais 710km

Turns out I ws not able to leave Sunday as my wife begged me to stay with her another day and like my good husband I stayed and spoilt her,again, with a lovely lunch at the Brass Bell.

Day 1   26 Nov.18
Up t five am n departed at 5:54 and breezed through Cape Town, no traffic and made good progress and ws in Springbok just after noon. Crossed border at Vioolsdrift headed for Fish River Canyon. Then 40km from Ai- Ais the bike wobbled and I just knew it, a puncture on the back, one day old brand new Heidenau tyre (tire) . Got the wheel off and then  bakkie came buy and stopped and he was heading to Ai-Ais. Took us every bit of muscle to load it up , without the rear wheel was a battle, in 36 deg.C !
Unloading the bike was just as hard but he  few more hands, then they retired it, off and on 3 times !!!!  Had my lamb bun for dinner that my wife made for me then pitched my tent and then went for a lekka cold beer x 2. I was here 6 years ago with Jeff (RIP) and Rocky doing a trip. Great memories.