Day 01 - Sendelingsdrif to Luderitz

Trip Summary:

We had Jackals visiting our camp throughout the night.  I shone my light on them and they were only a couple of meters away and ran off when I got out of the tent.

As a result of the ferry not operating at Sendlingdrif, I headed along the gravel road to to Alexander Bay where you cross over a long single vehicle bridge.  I refueled at Alexander Bay and had to hoot to wake up the petrol attendant - It was 10h30.  The temperature quickly rose to 32C along this section and cooled to about 21C at Alexander Bay.

The road from the border to Luderitz is tar so it is easy going.

The border crossing was a breeze and was not busy.  All you pay is R188 road insurance. The road through to Rosh Pinah is "private" and you pass through 2 security control gates.  Diamond mining occurs all along this section.  This is diamond country.  At Rosh Pinah I stopped at the petrol station to get a a mobile SIM card, airtime, toasted sandwich and an ice cream.  The temperature along this section had risen to 36C and I was feeling it.

I cannot imagine working here in mid summer where temperatures go to 50C.

I stopped at Bahnhof Hotel  in Aus to get out of the heat and have a cup of coffee.  There was a busload of German tourists staying at the hotel.  Two R1200 GS riders stopped and we chatted.  One guy was from Bellville and his friend was from the USA. The American's comment was "I have the same GS at home but cannot enjoy it for the purpose for which it was built because of the strict speed limit enforcement in the USA.  I come out once a year to do high speed riding in Namibia.  The roads are long, straight and there is nothing to hit". 

I was running behind time so I picked up some speed to Luderitz.  You drive through kilometers of "nothing" except for one section that is reknown for the wild horses.  I saw some and I saw Orynx.

The temperature peeked at 37C along this section.

I went to Shark Rock caravan camp in Luderitz.  Apparently accommodation is fully booked due to the crayfish festival that ends this weekend.  Shark Rock is a fantastic site if the weather is good.  There were a lot of tourists camping here.  During my last visit with Lynne, a gale force wind blew us into a Hotel where we slept and it was cold. 

I went to Ritzi's Restaurant for Wi Fi connectivity and fish & chips.