06 January 2013

Notes from the Road v.2

Hello everyone!

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year!  I'm back again to share a few instalife photos from the second leg of our Namibian road trip.  We travelled into the southern area of the country and visited both Sesriem and Sossusvlei, which are renowned for their beautiful red sand dunes.


On the way to Sesriem // Trusty transport // Perfect desert rest stop // Old abandoned car - wonder how long he's been there? // Nothing like an ice cold Savannah to take the edge off the heat // Our cute little air conditioned room at Namib Desert Lodge north of Sesriem // View from our room at NDL // Sunrise on the dunes in Sossusvlei - magical! // Top of the dunes // Dune feet // Tips of the chalets at Sossus Dune Lodge // Morning stroll through Deadvlei

We decided to take the scenic route to Sossusvlei and headed south from Windhoek {the capital city} via Spreetshoogte Pass off the C26.  We had heard that the pass offered magnificent desert views, but my {!!!} we weren't prepared for the beautiful natural brown landscapes that sprawled out in all directions from the top of the mountains.  I think I took about a million pictures.  At the bottom of the pass we happened upon the most adorable little lodge // rest stop in Solitaire and had fun admiring all of the old broken down tractors and cars in the area as well as enjoying an ice cold Savannah to take the edge of the heat... by this stage it was probably around 100 degrees {38 degrees Celsius}.

From Solitaire, we hopped in the car and drove the remaining hour or so to our first accommodation, Namib Desert Lodge, about 60km north of Sesriem.  We were so ecstatic to discover that our room had air con {huge necessity!} and the most lovely view of the fossilised dunes from our porch.  We spent two nights here and enjoyed a {terribly hot} death trek through Sesriem Canyon, lots of time reading next to the pool, two delicious dinners outside next to the water hole with lots of antelopes passing through for a drink, and the most wonderful guided Sundowner Drive up the fossilised dunes for sunset.  It was a stunning few days that we will never forget.

After our time around Sesriem, we drove even further south to Sossusvlei and checked in at Sossus Dune Lodge, which is the only lodge located within the park itself {meaning that you can reach the dunes in time for sunrise}.  We spent another two nights here and enjoyed spectacular sunsets, smouldering hot weather, and a beautiful sunrise trip {when it's still relatively cool outside} to the dunes and Deadvlei.  One of the days we were there it reached 49 degrees Celsius {!!!} in the park, which equates to 120 degrees Fahrenheit... to put it shortly... we almost died.  Our rooms didn't have air con since we were staying at an eco lodge and it's the only time ever, that Jurgen and I have actually gotten in the car and driven around for several hours just to cool off.  The trip was definitely worth it due to the stunning landscapes... but if we ever go again I think we will make sure it's during winter when the temperatures are more bearable.

As for now... we're on the coast in Hentiesbaai {Henties Bay} and enjoying the most beautiful, cool beach weather.  We've been fishing the last couple of days and just taking it easy, but soon we'll be heading down to the popular German coastal town of Swakopmund.  I'll share more photos from this segment next week!  Hope everyone is doing well!

If you'd like, you can follow along on instagram here!

9 comments:

  1. Wow looks like a fun trip despite those absolutely insane temperatures. I might just stop complaining about the cold in Germany now. Might...

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  2. Fossilized sand dunes. Never heard of such a thing! I had never had a ton of interest in Africa, but your blog is making me want to go kind of bad :)

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  3. so much fun!! i probably should be taking notes because, since reading your blog i have added south africa to my "must see" list!

    happy 2013 friend!

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  4. I've always wanted to travel to Africa! Loved seeing it through your pictures :-)

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  5. I love Namibia - my bestie lives in Windhoek and has a flat in Swakop where we have visited a few times. Stunning country but you are right, winter is more bearable!
    Enjoy!

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  6. I love Namibia - my bestie lives in Windhoek and has a flat in Swakop where we have visited a few times. Stunning country but you are right, winter is more bearable!
    Enjoy!

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  7. As usual - loving the pics! Miss ya girl! xxx

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  8. I didn't know you had instagram! I will be following your stunning photos ASAP!!

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  9. Wow! Great pictures! And I'm glad you're having a great time! I'm a bit jealous! I want to go traveling now (even if I just got home from a skiing trip) :)

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Thanks for the love!