Day 10: (…of Germans with surfboards)
Friday 8 September 2006
We left Hardap in our wake after crossing the dam wall just for the hell of it. A short distance before Keetmanshoop we turned off and made our way to the famed Kokerb oom forest.
But first we stopped at a farm to pet their animals
We must have impressed the farmer’s daughter because after playing with their tame warthog, gemsbok, springbok and many other creatures she slyly told us of the cheetah enclosure just beyond the aircraft hanger. Tourists were not generally allowed in…especially not before feeding time.
(Completely unawa re that Lord Vader was sitting right behind him, the unfortunate stormtrooper joked about the emperor’s poorly camouflaged Death Star)
You may be able to see the cats on the far right of the picture. I wanted to ride closer to them but Zanie suggest I don’t.
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Quiver Tree forest
S26 28.888 E18 14.274
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SHE who must be obeyed
After spending some time at the Kokerboom forest we rode 5km to Giant’s Playground to look at their piles of rock. Please excuse my lack of enthusiasm. I had by this stage become quite used to stones, rocks and stuff that I merely followed the group from one watering hole to the next.
(Everyone laughed at Akira’s strange moped not realising it was in fact a deadly transformer battle robot)
Outside Keetmanshoop (another charmless town) we took the B4 East and turned off on the C12 South towards the Fish River Canyon. It is here where we met Martin.
Martin had been riding for 9months all the way from Munich via the West coast of Africa on his way to Cape Town. He was an amicable guy and we found him instantly likeable.
Yes, those are surfboards on his bike. Yes, it’s all the way from Germany.
(Under extreme magnification, Lyle Lovett’s skin looked eerily like the Grand Canyon)
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Together we rode to Hobas and the viewpoint over the Canyon. Unfortunately the shop at the campsite was already closed and we were in desperate want of an ice cold Tafel lager (again), so we decided to make for Ai-Ais. The road was great with long swooping sandy curves just solid enough not to disturb the front wheel.
We got to Ai-Ais in record time as the light failed but the staff closed the shop doors in our faces. Zanie used her charm again and they grudgingly opened up for us. We bought nearly all their supplies and erected our camp.
(Modern day witches prefer Lager and chops over wolfbane and tanis root)
In exchange for us paying for his camping, Martin told us of his travels through Africa. It was riveting stuff and we were truly mesmerised. The amber fluid flowed freely and soon we were hugging and speaking German to each other (or at least trying to).
(Government regulations regarding emissions became ridiculous when they intr oduced the exhaust fumo-collector)
Martin was amazed by the AT’s ability to prepare my bed and desperately ran for his camera. It’s good to know that we holiday makers could find at least something to impress a hardcore bike overlander.
The hot water springs was a welcome relaxant but I think the others took exception to me washing out all my underwear and socks in the pool.
Route of the Day - Click on the GoogleEarth image for an enlarged view