Fish River Canyon
January 19, 2013
The Fish River Canyon is supposedly the 2nd largest canyon in the world at 160 km (100 miles) long and a depth up to 550 meters (1700 feet) deep. Nice but not the Grand Canyon. We watched until sunset.
About Me
- NOMADIC LIFESTYLE, EARTH, United States
- After getting my first passport in 2006 and traveling to climb Kilimanjaro in Tanzania my life changed. I began the process of getting rid of all my possessions and traveling the world. Traveling to over 125 countries and all 7 continents, hostels have been my home. This "new life" has taught me what is important and it was NOT accumulating money or possessions. Traveling is the best education. I hope my blog will encourage others to travel. My World Tattoo was a way for me to express my PASSION FOR TRAVEL.
NAMIBIA, Fish River Canyon
January 19, 2013
The Fish River Canyon is supposedly the 2nd largest canyon in the world at 160 km (100 miles) long and a depth up to 550 meters (1700 feet) deep. Nice but not the Grand Canyon. We watched until sunset.
NAMIBIA, Sossusvlei Sand Dunes
Sossusvlei Sand Dunes
January 18, 2013
Camped at Sesriem, gateway to the sand dunes. After putting up the tents we went the 6 miles to the sand pan that is located between several large sand dunes up to 960 feet tall (96 stories). About once every 3 years the sand pan is flooded and creates a beautiful lake in the midst of the sand dunes. The sand dunes are Namibia's #1 tourist attraction and cover 32,000 square kilometers (20,000 square miles). The dunes reach as high as 325 meters (1000 feet). It was amazing to stand in the middle of the salt pan while surrounded by the sand dunes.
Afterwards we went to Dune 45 (called that because it is 45 kilometers from campsite) and climbed to the top of it and watched the sunset.
Camped at Sesriem, gateway to the sand dunes. After putting up the tents we went the 6 miles to the sand pan that is located between several large sand dunes up to 960 feet tall (96 stories). About once every 3 years the sand pan is flooded and creates a beautiful lake in the midst of the sand dunes. The sand dunes are Namibia's #1 tourist attraction and cover 32,000 square kilometers (20,000 square miles). The dunes reach as high as 325 meters (1000 feet). It was amazing to stand in the middle of the salt pan while surrounded by the sand dunes.
Afterwards we went to Dune 45 (called that because it is 45 kilometers from campsite) and climbed to the top of it and watched the sunset.
NAMIBIA, Himba Tribe and Village
Himba Tribe and Village
January 2013
Tour to visit the Himba Tribe in Namibia. The women only bathe once in their life, at birth. The rest of the time they use a small tepee fire to cause them to sweat which is their bathing. This is due to scarcity of water. The women also cover their bodies and hair in a red clay.
NAMIBIA, Swakopmund
Swakopmund, Namibia
January 15-18th
A welcome break on our safari (journey) in the German town of Swakopmund. Namibia was first claimed by Bismarck and the Germans in the 1890's. There are still many Germans living in Namibia and Swakopmund has been called more German than Germany. The town has between 25,000 and 30,000 residents with a large contingency of Germans visiting during the German winter to take advantage of the more favorable weather in Namibia's summer.There is a really nice beach, though the water is cold, and Swakopmund has been promoted to one of the adventure and adrenalin capitals of Africa along with Cape Town. Lots of sky diving, sand boarding on the sand dunes, quad biking (4-wheelers) and go karting on fast track. 4 of the girls went sky diving the 1st day and had quite a time. Sand boarding was the choice of the day on the 2nd day. I am enjoying my "down time" and ability to use free internet to catch up with uploading of pictures and blogging.
A welcome break on our safari (journey) in the German town of Swakopmund. Namibia was first claimed by Bismarck and the Germans in the 1890's. There are still many Germans living in Namibia and Swakopmund has been called more German than Germany. The town has between 25,000 and 30,000 residents with a large contingency of Germans visiting during the German winter to take advantage of the more favorable weather in Namibia's summer.There is a really nice beach, though the water is cold, and Swakopmund has been promoted to one of the adventure and adrenalin capitals of Africa along with Cape Town. Lots of sky diving, sand boarding on the sand dunes, quad biking (4-wheelers) and go karting on fast track. 4 of the girls went sky diving the 1st day and had quite a time. Sand boarding was the choice of the day on the 2nd day. I am enjoying my "down time" and ability to use free internet to catch up with uploading of pictures and blogging.
BOTSWANA, Okavango Delta
January 5-8th
Everyone on the tour is doing a 2 night/ 3 day camping trip to the Okavango Delta in dugout canoes except for Amy and myself. Amy has been sick and the trip did not appeal to me at all especially since we were not going to see many animals on the trip. The Delta is very similar to our marshes in southern LA. Plus it is the rainy season and being cold and wet with no bathrooms and eating cold food the entire time did not seem like much fun. Decided to make a vacation out of this time and Amy and I laid by the pool and took advantage of the restaurant and bar.
I hope to be able to take a 45 minute plane ride ($90) over the Delta to take pictures and get an overall view but it is the slow season and no groups flying now and 1 person on the plane is $450. Will keep trying
Everyone on the tour is doing a 2 night/ 3 day camping trip to the Okavango Delta in dugout canoes except for Amy and myself. Amy has been sick and the trip did not appeal to me at all especially since we were not going to see many animals on the trip. The Delta is very similar to our marshes in southern LA. Plus it is the rainy season and being cold and wet with no bathrooms and eating cold food the entire time did not seem like much fun. Decided to make a vacation out of this time and Amy and I laid by the pool and took advantage of the restaurant and bar.
I hope to be able to take a 45 minute plane ride ($90) over the Delta to take pictures and get an overall view but it is the slow season and no groups flying now and 1 person on the plane is $450. Will keep trying
BOTSWANA, Chobe National Park,Safari
January 5, 2013
We left Chobe National Park at 6 am and drove until 3 pm nonstop except for 30 minute lunch break to Maun, the staging point for the Okavango Delta. Since the truck is not crowded we were able to stretch out and catch a few winks. Seat belts are necessary because if the truck hits a large bump in the road it could bounce you into the ceiling. I actually saw one of the girls bounce so high that she almost hit the ceiling. Aly is our guide and JB is the truck driver. Everyone on this trip is from England except David who is Canadian, Amy who is Aussie and myself. Most overland truck companies are British for some reason. It is one of the cheapest ways to travel in Africa. Our campsite here for the next 4 days is at Sedia Hotel and we have access to the pool, bar and restaurant.
We left Chobe National Park at 6 am and drove until 3 pm nonstop except for 30 minute lunch break to Maun, the staging point for the Okavango Delta. Since the truck is not crowded we were able to stretch out and catch a few winks. Seat belts are necessary because if the truck hits a large bump in the road it could bounce you into the ceiling. I actually saw one of the girls bounce so high that she almost hit the ceiling. Aly is our guide and JB is the truck driver. Everyone on this trip is from England except David who is Canadian, Amy who is Aussie and myself. Most overland truck companies are British for some reason. It is one of the cheapest ways to travel in Africa. Our campsite here for the next 4 days is at Sedia Hotel and we have access to the pool, bar and restaurant.
CHOBE NATIONAL PARK SAFARI
ZIMBABWAE, Travel Day
January 3, 2013
Will be leaving Fawlty Towers Hostel and Livingstone, Zambia at 10 am on the free shuttle to the Park. From there it is a short walk to the Zambia/Zimbabwae bridge where the bungee jumping is located and where I will enter Zimbabwae. Either a 20 minute walk or short taxi ride depending on the price and I will be in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwae. I will be meeting Absolute Africa overland truck safari at Shoestring Backpackers where I will spend the night and meet all the people already on the tour. No more soft bed for the next 21 days. Not really much of a camper but will endure it due the cost and accessibility one gets by camping in the parks in Botswana and Namimbia. Will not have much internet access for the next 21 days. It is going to be a very special trip I believe with lots of animal sightings.
Little sad saying bye to Fawlty Towers as backpackers get a feeling of home when we stay in one place for a while.
Will be leaving Fawlty Towers Hostel and Livingstone, Zambia at 10 am on the free shuttle to the Park. From there it is a short walk to the Zambia/Zimbabwae bridge where the bungee jumping is located and where I will enter Zimbabwae. Either a 20 minute walk or short taxi ride depending on the price and I will be in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwae. I will be meeting Absolute Africa overland truck safari at Shoestring Backpackers where I will spend the night and meet all the people already on the tour. No more soft bed for the next 21 days. Not really much of a camper but will endure it due the cost and accessibility one gets by camping in the parks in Botswana and Namimbia. Will not have much internet access for the next 21 days. It is going to be a very special trip I believe with lots of animal sightings.
Little sad saying bye to Fawlty Towers as backpackers get a feeling of home when we stay in one place for a while.
ZAMBIA, Victoria Falls, Ultralight flight
Ultralight flight over Victoria Falls
January 2, 2013
Up early at 6 am to get ready for the 7am Ultralight flight over Victoria Falls. I was there today because my Dec. 31st flight had to be rescheduled due to rain. Unfortunately, the price increased by $14 on January 1st. Theflight was really amazing and provided some really great views of the Falls. The flight was only 15 minutes but it seemed very long. I never got completely comfortable but it was not too bad. There was only a single belt over my lap which surprised me. I expected to be totally strapped in. The flight was $170 and the pictures were an additional $22. Two splurges in 2 days of the New Year but 2 AMAZING EXPERIENCES.
Up early at 6 am to get ready for the 7am Ultralight flight over Victoria Falls. I was there today because my Dec. 31st flight had to be rescheduled due to rain. Unfortunately, the price increased by $14 on January 1st. Theflight was really amazing and provided some really great views of the Falls. The flight was only 15 minutes but it seemed very long. I never got completely comfortable but it was not too bad. There was only a single belt over my lap which surprised me. I expected to be totally strapped in. The flight was $170 and the pictures were an additional $22. Two splurges in 2 days of the New Year but 2 AMAZING EXPERIENCES.
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