Let’s go climb a rock!

August 25, 2024

Today is going to be a long day on the road we have about 400km to travel and much of it will be on dirt roads. Namibia has many highways, most of which are dirt. 

We were all cold again last night, I gave up and put on socks and my jacket. It made a big difference in my ability to sleep. We had a later start, breakfast at 630, on the road by 730. 

I have finally made it to the front row of the bus. Because I am a solo traveler my adopted Italian family girls are playing musical chairs with me. Today Marghe and I are in the front row. And not only that, we get a foot rest because of the handles. 

The mornings on the bus are quiet. We are all full and trying to warm up. Our first stop is about 90 minutes into the drive – grocery store time! I get some water, biscuits and chocolate for s’mores, and a bar of chocolate. 

Oh the road again we stop at a small little market run by the local women. They sell bags, wood carvings and jewelry. I don’t but anything because I bought some from other locals at our grocery shop. I opt to cross the street and climb a rock. 

We stop again for lunch this time. I’ve been getting salads when I can, even though they are like $10 – it’s nice to have the greens and feta. It will be our only wifi option of the day. We all download games, but mine doesn’t finish. 

Our final stretch of driving today is to the campsite. We are staying right in the little park. Imagine a Red Rock type landscape with HUGE granite boulders. Before we set up camp we go do a tour with a guide (mandated) of the rock/cave paintings. 

They are about 2-4,000 years old. These paintings were used to convey information to migrating clans. It told them of dangers, water, hunting grounds, etc. 

After the cave paintings we head to our campsite. AC and I hop up front to steal James’s seat – Noel finally let us stay in the front (for all of a 5 minute ride). This place is different because we are not assigned a site, it’s a free for all. The first site we pick is cool, right in the book of a boulder foundation. Well another family had set up their camp in a back nook and refused to share the bathroom with us, so we ended up moving because the man was so hostile. 

We end up right at the base of another rock foundation, but this one we can climb! Rene and I take off up the rocks with some hard candy (ya know, in case we get stuck and need calories??), water, our phones, and my drone. 

The Italians are not far behind and soon they catch up when Rene and I are trying to figure out how to get up to the next level of the formation. I had helped Rene up but then we couldn’t figure out how to get me up. Finally we figure it out and AC, Marghe, Rene, Giacomo and I head up to the top. It was like we are on top of the world!! It was a magnificent view and totally worth it. 

It was too windy at the top to use my drone so I decided to use it on the way down where it is not as windy. The views are just amazing. Photos and videos cannot capture it. 

After our hike we all move into our tents that have been set up. It’s such a quick stop, because we all know that we are going to be getting up early, we just don’t know how early. 

It’s nearing sunset so we head over to the natural arch formation. We find many instagramers over waiting so we join in the action. It was cool to watch the sun set through the rock. 

After sunset it’s back to camp for dinner and relaxing. After dinner some of us take pictures of the night sky – it is so insanely clear and there is very little light pollution – really only from our dinner light. You can see the milky Way so clearly it’s crazy!

Since there are no showers or sinks it’s water bottle tooth brushing tonight. I’m glad I brought some washcloths because I can wash my face! 

I set my clothes out for tomorrow and repack my bag. Wake up is 445. We are on the road by 6am. Some of us have a 730am tour and we need to go about 130kms.