It was North we headed from Swakop, up the Skeleton Coast - so named for all the shipwrecks along the shore. Apparently there is a reef out there, that so many ships fail to see!! Cape Cross, up the coast, is not only famous for being the place where the Portuguese first set foot in Namibia, but also for it's colony of seals! About 80000 of the smelly mammals in low season, and up to 260000 in breeding season. Luckily we hit low 'smell' season, as I can't imagine how bad it would be with 260000 of them. Lots of "barking" and moaning as they clambered all over each other.
Next stop, the formation known as Spitzkoppe, which reminded me of Uluru (Ayer's Rock) in central Australia. A bizarre chunk of rock in the middle of the plains, that towers sky high. It is nicknamed the Matterhorn of Africa, because of it's shape. It is a granite inselberg, and there are other massif's in the area. It's pretty hot and dry here, but a walk to the top of our little rock 'massif' was enough. Very steep, flowing rounded sides, and fingers that seem to reach into the ground. We were set to camp beneath one of the rocks, and hopefully watch the stars as there is very little light pollution here. The bush camp sites are run by the local community, a nice change
The other interesting sights here are some bushman art, and a large natural arch, that we all posed under in various ways. Nick's 'porn star' pose was probably the most thought provoking!!
Before dinner, we had a great interaction with one of the locals, Stephen (and his little brother Rian). Stephen lived with his grandparents, and went to school up North. He was trying to help out by making some crafts and selling to the tourists. He was a super nice character, and Michelle really liked him. She bought a nice necklace from him, created simply from seed. We wished him luck in his future.
That night, we attempted to sleep out under the stars, but just past midnight came the winds, then the rain. We had to hurriedly erect a tent, and of course the rains stopped shortly after that. I think we were now committed to the tent, just in case. I thought this was supposed to be a desert, what's with the rain!! * Stub
Next stop, the formation known as Spitzkoppe, which reminded me of Uluru (Ayer's Rock) in central Australia. A bizarre chunk of rock in the middle of the plains, that towers sky high. It is nicknamed the Matterhorn of Africa, because of it's shape. It is a granite inselberg, and there are other massif's in the area. It's pretty hot and dry here, but a walk to the top of our little rock 'massif' was enough. Very steep, flowing rounded sides, and fingers that seem to reach into the ground. We were set to camp beneath one of the rocks, and hopefully watch the stars as there is very little light pollution here. The bush camp sites are run by the local community, a nice change
The other interesting sights here are some bushman art, and a large natural arch, that we all posed under in various ways. Nick's 'porn star' pose was probably the most thought provoking!!
Before dinner, we had a great interaction with one of the locals, Stephen (and his little brother Rian). Stephen lived with his grandparents, and went to school up North. He was trying to help out by making some crafts and selling to the tourists. He was a super nice character, and Michelle really liked him. She bought a nice necklace from him, created simply from seed. We wished him luck in his future.
That night, we attempted to sleep out under the stars, but just past midnight came the winds, then the rain. We had to hurriedly erect a tent, and of course the rains stopped shortly after that. I think we were now committed to the tent, just in case. I thought this was supposed to be a desert, what's with the rain!! * Stub
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| Martin in Spitzkoppe |
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| The Matterhorn of Africa - and our overland truck |
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