I was up early to pack up and to see where I ended up. One idea was Roy’s camp outside Grootfontein, I was not sure yet. The rumblings of the King seemed far away this night, so sleep washed over me and just like that… I was up getting ready for the ride.
Samuel and Isak
I said my goodbyes and thanks. What a great team and what a fantastic host Samuel was, a real gentleman. I was off , the roads nice and quiet, and Victoria was purring along as we headed North . The road was so empty I decided to press on and get to Rundu for the night.
It was an amazing ride, in that the road all the way past Roy’s camp is bush and road – and then suddenly at around a 150 km from Rundu the road comes to life with these little peppered villages that line the road to Rundu. The road just cut into their lives or their lives just poured out on to the road .
Vic resting next to the road
The road has put this age- old way of life on display for those who slow. Time and pace had slowed here and in some instances to my mind, had not changed . Herders with their livestock, up and down , children running and playing, wood being gathered, straw bales carried atop, homes made from what earth provided, corn crushed, fires burning for food and warmth . The only signs of the modern world being some zoot trainers afoot the odd galvanized structure, and the clay pot water carriers replaced by plastic. The rest of life seemed to be as it has always been, before me and before the road. I slowed right down and let this life lived next to a highway delight my senses.
As I rode through this life on display, the children, small in stature and large in smiles, waved me along with excited little moves and arms high in the air. Those old and hardened by this life walked the path past the children single- minded to the task at hand and with years of survival etched into their faces.
Rundu arrived and I stopped to refuel and put my lodging for the night into the GPS. I was but 16km away so we headed off . At the 4km mark I found a sign saying the road was closed and so with help from the locals I found the old Mission from where you are collected by boat and taken down the Okavango river to the Lodge.
Victoria’s first night alone
The luggage to load
Resting next to the Okavango and waiting for the boat, I took in the sights and sounds of this place. Just a delight.
Waiting for my ride
As we motored down river the sun was setting. Angola to my left, Namibia to my right and beauty all around. I was en-route to Hakusembe Lodge on the banks of the Okavango river. Just 15 minutes. What a magical boat ride .
sundowners
I arrived at yet another of Africa’s gems as the last rays of light touched the Okavango. A great ride to a great place. Let us see what the morning brings.
Until we meet again
