‘The thing about Namibia is that it makes you feel small'

The Overlanders' Handbook (one of our best buys before the trip) suggests that once on the road, it is common to want to rush ahead and try to cover excessive mileage. Instead, "make a conscious effort to start slow, park up somewhere sunny and warm, or visit friends after a few days on the road to catch your breath." Windhoek was our warm and sunny place - thanks to the Louws. We got to know Windhoek front to back and every camping shop inside out. Also managed to have coffee with the Dieners who did a year long sabbatical (South America and South East Asia) to chat about life on the road. Their best advice; be adaptable. And spend that extra cash even if you don't think you can afford it at the time.
After a small 'shakedown camping trip' with cousin Ria-Leen we finally hit the road for the long run.
Traveling South a bit (the locals conviced us...), we chose Kolmanskop as our Southermost point and will travel northwards from here. Only a few days in and we've had stunning sunsets and desert views, gemsbok and zebra along the road, warm Namibian hospitality and many small laughs (Bovril leaking, wrong size wheelspanner, someone who knows someone in Namibia).
With only childhood memories of Kolmanskop and Lüderitz, it is great to visit these places anew. It is clear that tourism isn't doing great and one wonders about the times we live in. But if a random stranger shows you a photograph of their farm 'that year when it rained' you realise people here are used to waiting and taking their time. The landscape asks it of you. Namibia is teaching me so much already.

Photographs:

South West of Windhoek: Namib-Naukluft area, Kolmanskop, Diaz point
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