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Date Time Start: 2018/05/07 08:35
Date Time End: 2018/05/07 14:45
Travel Time: 06h10
Odometer Start: 84669
Odometer End: 85073
Total Distance (km): 598.33
Weather:
Windhoek: Clear skies at 18C
Swakopmund: Clear skies at 24C
Trip Summary:
The plan is/was to sleep in Windhoek.
I Googled a place to find bolts for the rear wheel guard. Bolts & Nuts, Fastener & Tools popped up. The guys were very helpful in finding the bolts. (They are situated in Copper Street and provided stainless steel bolts - wierd) Now I needed the sleeves that were lost and the one sheared bolt to be removed. The guys directed me to Tig and Turn Engineering down the road. The guys were vey helpful and even gave me an office to work in while I waited. They created new stainless steel sleeves and fitted the guard to the bike. They quoted twice the amount than what they charged as the skilled lathesman did the job within an hour.
Landscape around Windhoek - View from Camp Site
It was 10h30 and that left me the rest of the day in Windhoek. The problem with Windhoek, the camp sites do not have lock-up facilities and you have to drive to get somewhere and you cannot attend to something and keep an eye on the bike at the same time. As I finished earlier than expected, I decided to head to Swakopmund. I called Alte Brucke and secured the bookings. I punched in the GPS location and pressed GO. "&*#&^!93@" I had 598km to go, more than I thought.
I was committed and headed to Swakopmund as you cannot get enough of the place.
It is amazing how the scenary changes between Windhoek and Swakopmund (See the images below).
I had been following Namibian vehicles who were exceeding the speed limit so I was making good progress. I stopped about 120km from Swakopmund to take a photo and when I started my bike, it showed I only had 107km fuel left. I reduced speed to under 120km/hr and continued cautiously. By the time I got to Swakopmund and refuelled, I still had 8 litres in the tank (vehicle computers!!??).
Landscape 134km from Swakopmund
Landscape 70km from Swakopmund
My office at Tig & Turn
BMW Rear Guard repaired
A visitor at my camp in Monteiro (mouse)
Not sure why this was at this location
About 10km prior to entering Swakopmund, I noticed new housing development along the dry Swakop river. It looked like Swakopmund was still growing.
If you want good location and 5 star caravan sites, Alte Brucke Holiday Resort is the only place to stay.
I arrived at Alte Brucke and setup camp after which I did some shopping. I stopped at Lynne's and my favourite coffee shop, Slow Town, and enjoyed their version of a chocolate brownie (wow) and their own roasted coffee (wow). The shop was in the same location but had expanded without losing their special appeal. I popped into an optometrist to replace the one lug on my glasses as the constant squeezing the glasses into my helmut had caused my glasses to disintegrate. My glasses would hang at a strange angle accross my face, but at least I could still read the GPS, map and dashboard.
My favourite bar, the Tiger Reef Beach Bar, was closed as it was Monday so I walked to the Tug Restaurant and enjoyed a Salad and Beer before returning to the camp site.
After I had spoken to Lynne about the bike repairs and glasses repairs, she wittingly stated that today was a "bike and face" repairs day.
Accommodation: Camping
Alte Brucke Holiday Resort is a 5 star place to stay.
They are close to the beach and town centre to walk to.
They provide chalets or caravan sites with private ablusions, electricity, lights, water and grass.
There is good security and they also offer dinner and breakfast at premium rates.
Lynne & I stayed in Swakopmund on previous trips in 2011 & 2014. It is a "must visit" place with lots of activities, pubs and restaurant to keep you busy.
The following are only a few.
Alte Brucke Park Camp Site
Slow Town in Swakopmund
Pizzeria
Tug Restaurant - The Deck
Tiger Beach Bar
Kucki's Pub & Grill
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