August 16
Our last full
day in Namibia. Cañon Roadhouse is our accommodation for one last night. What a
wonderful place it was to stay as well. So much character with décor made from
old cars, signs, number plates and all things motor.
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| This beautiful oyster catcher was pottering about outside our window this morning |
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| Now this is where we will be heading before crossing the border |
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| Even a German influence in the road signs - Lion River |
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| So many unusual signs - this one with an additional warning - Caution, no fences! |
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| Comfortably accommodated at this amazingly quirky motel |
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| The restaurant/bar/souvenir shop/reception area is all in the one massive barn area |
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| Hell yeah!!! |
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| More wonderful landscapes |
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| Our new found friends enjoying a pre-dinner drink |
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| Dinner was a fun affair |
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| Ian went for one of the walks from the lodge. I could not make it. |
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| A pity there were some lovely views |
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| The walks are identified by different labels |
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| And you follow the footprints |
August 17
Cañon Roadhouse is
located adjacent to the Fish River Canyon NP. This was our major stop for the
day. This canyon is the 2
nd largest in the world and has been on my
bucket list for a long time. Not many tour companies travel this far south in
Namibia so I was delighted to find one which included this natural wonder. Then
it was a final stretch of dirt road before heading for the border.
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| One of the main attractions is for walkers who undertake the 5-day hike |
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| This place is so isolated. |
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| Really? |
Some facts about
Namibia:
The Portuguese
landed in1480. The Germans laid claim in 1884 and South West Africa was
re-named German South West Africa. So it remained until after WWI when South
African troops were sent in by the British and the country was administered by
South Africa until SWAPO (South West Africa People's Organisation) rose up in
1966. After years of unrest independence was finally granted in1989.
Population
approx. 2m. Many unique tribes including the bare breasted Himba and uniquely
dressed Herero. 825,000 sq km with over 1500km of coast. Namibia shares a
border with Angola to the north, South Africa to the south and Botswana and
Zambia to the east. Much of the country is desert with 45,400km road network of
which only 6400km is tarred.
After border
formalities we pushed on to Springbok for our overnight stop. We passed through
Namaqualand where the wild flowers were already in evidence with a profusion of
purple, yellow, white and orange scattered between shrubs of various shades of
green. A stark contrast to the desert country of its northern neighbour.
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| Well I suppose they tried!!! |
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| The Orange River marks the border between Namibia and South Africa |
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| It is a big river and, at least on the South Africa Side, there is a huge industry in agriculture |
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| The wildflowers were just emerging |
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