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2 Rest Days in Windhoek

Namibia

Days 103 &104 - Rest Days - Windhoek

Spent two well deserved Rest Day's in Windhoek, Capital of Namibia, at the Urban Rest Camp. Was pleasantly surprised with the facilities and the great reception and friendliness from the Staff at the Camp, will definitely stay there again when next in Windhoek.

Up early to join the Australian and New Zealand Riders and others, at the ANZAC Memorial Service, conducted at dawn at the Commonwealth War Memorial Site, commemorating the Battle of Gallipoli during the First World War. Attended by Australian, New Zealand, Turkish and Namibian Diplomats. Murray got to read the Ode, all very touching and quite emotional for me, as it included a reference to all those who had fallen. Afterwards, enjoyed coffee and snacks with the Dignitaries in attendance.

Then went off to the Mall for more coffee and breakfast, followed by a trip to the Bike Shop to get a new seat for Judith and for her to have a fitting.

Later in the day, I went off to the Windhoek International Airport and fetched Mike van den Berg, my good friend who was joining the Tour to do the last Section with us from Windhoek to Cape Town.

Dinner on the first rest night, was held at Joe's Beer House, which had been recommended and organised by myself, which was attended by the majority of the Riders, and enjoyed by all.

Day two was spent trying to update my Blog's and was generally a very NAFI Day for me. Mike VdB used the day to reassemble his bike and to get ready for the Tour.

Unfortunately, while changing our bike tyres from slicks (for tar roads) to mountain bike tyres (for riding on the dirt) I pulled my umbilical hernia again, and Dr. Helen couldn't get it to pop back into place, so she had to take me off to the local Hospital. There the Doctor in attendance managed to use her magical hands and got it to behave again. I was then read the riot act, if I continued to do heavy lifting and it popped again, I was to be sent home!!

So my last evening in Windhoek didn't end to well for me, although on the bright side of things, I was still allowed to continue cycling, as long as I behaved!

Cheers,
Mike T

The TDA Riders who attended the ANZAC Memorial Service

ANZAC Memorial Service in Windhoek

Thomas displaying his Waiter skills at Urban Camp

A "Metre of Beer" at Joes Beer House

Michael van den Berg arrives in Namibia

Welcome to Windhoek (Windy Corner)

Wise words displayed at Urban Camp

The next three day section - Windhoek to Sesriem

Windhoek to Weissenfels

Rest Day - Lusaka, Zambia

Zambia
Day 85 - Rest Day - Lusaka

Friday: We managed to contact Lemmy Lyirenda, a Zambian whom I first met when I was working at the Kibali Gold Project in the DRC. He is now working for the Government in their Procurement Department. We arranged that he would meet us for supper this evening.

Judith did the laundry, and we hung it out to dry as well as drying out the tent in the Hotel camping grounds, even though it was very overcast and it looked like rain.

Since my late Father had played Golf for Zambia, we decided to walk to the nearest Golf Club, The Chianama Hills Golf Club, to see if we could spot his name on the Club Honours Boards. But we had no luck, theirs was rather incomplete with regards to competition results, but there were some names of friends who had been members there and whom my dad had played golf with.

Then we caught a taxi to the Lusaka Golf Club, but they were busy doing renovations, their Boards were sealed up in plastic (the Zambian Open is scheduled to be played there on the 25th of April) more bad luck ! Well at least we tried, you couldn't fault us for effort!

Took another taxi from the Golf Club to East Park Mall, had a sedate lunch at the Keg & Lion, before doing some shopping, then going back to the Hotel.

Enjoying a relaxed lunch at the Keg & Lion

In the evening, Lemmy fetched us at the Hotel, introduced us to his wife Niaomi, his son Jesse and his daughter Chisomo. They then took us to a popular Zambian haunt, The Buzz Cafe for dinner. A great evening was had by all, it was really special that we could see Lemmy again and meet his family, a highlight of our visit to Lusaka. Niaomi left a gift of a Zambian flag wrap for a very happy Judith.

Great rest day. Cheers,
Mike T

Even the TDA Staff need some quiet time now and again (Chef Errol)

Having dinner with Lemmy and his family

Great time had by all, Jesse, Lemmy and Michael

Judith and Naomi (Lemmy's Wife)

Jehovah School Camp to Lusaka (103km with only 820m of climbing)

Zambia

Day 84 - Apr 6- Stage 59

Thursday: Judith decided to ride the full 103km distance from the School Camp into Lusaka. This suited me, as I was still EFI-Zambia and we could then ride into Lusaka together.
We woke up to a glorious Zambian sunrise, which was a good omen for the coming day's riding. It was a relatively short day of cycling, with the hills becoming less steep and more undulating as we approached Lusaka.

Sunrise at the Jehovah School Camp

Getting ready for the days ride into Lusaka

Jehovah School to Lusaka

Lunch was at the 60km mark, we had a leisurely lunch and departed just ahead of the Sweep Rider.

The ride from lunch to Lusaka became a bit more difficult as we got closer to Lusaka due to the increase in traffic, especially with the increase in trucks and busses, as the verge of the road was not in a good condition, and not conducive to moving over for them either.

Fortunately as we got closer to the metropolis of Lusaka the roads improved considerably (double highway) and we were able to keep out of the way of the heavy vehicles. We (four of us riders and the Sweep) made a stop at the first Mall we came to, and made a mad dash to the nearest ATM, as we were all low on cash.

Judith and I left the Sweep Rider Max with Liz and Marie at the Mall, since they wanted to go and have ice cream, totally acceptable under the circumstances. But we just wanted to get to the finish at the Chainama Hotel (previously the Great Eastern Hotel).

A Local salvaging the steel spring from a bad wreck (Taxi ploughed into a Truck) to make himself an axe.

A Chinese make of Truck not feeling well and broken down at the side of the road

Mike One - What else is there to know!

Dr Mugwagweni can cure all ailments!

The Papparazzi have arrived

Last Coke Stop before Lusaka

Commercial Farming in Zambia

Arrived at the finish only to be caught by a brief downpour, those having ice creams at the Mall missed getting wet!!

We then proceeded to try and get a decent room, which took ages, rejected the first room (no electricity) then moved to the second one (no hot water) finally moved to the third room which was acceptable. All this time moving around and carrying our four luggage bags, riding kit and then our bikes!

The Chainama Hotel has definately seen better days, but then TDA do not choose their Camp sites because of the rooming facilities, but because of the camping needs of the Riders and Staff who do not take rooms on rest days.

After a well deserved shower, it was off to another Mall by taxi, with a group of Riders for supper. We finally ended up at Rhapsody's where we could order either from the Rhapsody's menu or from The Ocean Basket Menu (it was situated next door).

A pleasant meal was had by all, followed by a final round of nightcap drinks, while watching a live band. We are definitely getting closer to civilization and better facilities as we travel further South.

Cheers,
Mike T

The best thing about the Chainama Hotel was their signboard

Marie enjoying her chocolate cocktail at Rhapsody's

Such decadence after five days of cycling!

Enjoying the after dinner drinks at Rhapsody's

The Live Band playing at Rhapsody's

Day 29 - Bus Ride Rest Day (from Border to Khartoum)

Waiting for the bus, that's us! -

Friday: Sudan/Ethiopia Border to Khartoum (8 hr bus ride)

06:00 - Up early, packed up the tent and our holiday bags (no cycling for the next 8 days). Had a cup of coffee and a breakfast, all this while it was still relatively dark. Then walked with our bikes to the bus waiting for us, at the main road. If the bus won't come to us, then we don't have much option, but to walk to the bus with our bikes.

Loaded bags onto bus, then of course not a major surprise, but there was no space for our bikes, so we left them on the side of the road, with Leo the Bike Mechanic in charge.

Bus Company supposed to be sending another Bus/Truck to fetch and transport them to Khartoum for us? I suppose time will tell if they get there before dark.

Took a luxury bus back to Khartoum, very spacey and ultra modern, even got to watch the movie - Fast and Furious 5 nogal - on the on-board tv screen. First time I have sat in front of a T.V screen in nearly 4 weeks.

The bikes can't fit into the bus...

All ready to go back to Khartoum!

Happiness is a luxury bus load of cyclists :)

Arrived at the Grand Hotel Villa, found ourselves a pleasant camp spot on the lawn and pitched the tent. Decided to camp instead of hotel-ing like we did last time. We need only sleep over for one night, and we found the hotel very over-priced the last time we were here. We also have 6 days in Nairobi coming up, and need to conserve our funds.

Took a proper shower for the first time in 7-days (going to miss those donkey washes for a while). A most pleasant experience, having the luxury of hot and cold water at your beckoning.

In the evening, 12 of us went off and walked to the Mall, then had dinner at Layali Al Waha Restaurant just located outside the Mall. It was a most pleasant dinning experience, and all agreed the food had been great.

Then into the Mall, for some of their famous ice cream (Judith had 3 and I had 5 scoops). We followed this up with a very casual cappuccino, lounging around in the Coffee Shop.

Group of us then took a taxi back to the Hotel, to find our bikes waiting patiently for us on the grass camping area. A most pleasant night out in Khartoum.

Cheers,
Mike T

Thirst-Quenching Lemon and Mint drink

One of Khartoum's many statues

A group of us out having dinner at the Mall

Day 22 - Rest Day - Breakfast Buffet's, Ice-Cream & Photobombing

"And then, Michael had finally and suddenly arrived in Soda Heaven..."

Friday: Rest Day in Khartoum

Surprise surprise, we both managed to sleep relatively late this morning, did the necessary, then went to the Hotel Restaurant for a mother of a breakfast buffet.

There is a Barber shop in the Hotel, so I decided to have a Number 0 haircut (shaved my head) as I am tired of trying to keep the sand out from my flowing locks. Yussaf the Barber took his time, and as a result I got my money's worth.

We walked to the Mall with Hanne, met some of the other riders and proceeded to have milk shakes and Ice-cream, and did some shopping for essentials at the Supermarket. Then tea/coffee at a Coffee Shop, followed by more ice-cream to eat while we walked back to Camp/Hotel.

On the way back to the Hotel, we were stopped by a local gentleman who insisted we joined him at his shop for some watermelon. So we sat down and had a pleasant time discussing current affairs with him. His English was good, since he had spent some time working for an American Company. It's the small things like this, that make this trip an eye-opener.

After traveling through Egypt & Sudan, the things we take for granted back in SA (such as visiting the Mall) suddenly take on an Alice in Wonderland experience. Suddenly there is ice-cream, milk shakes and cappuccino's in Khartoum! It feels like I am a child and I just walked into a toy shop!!

Bernd Beigl has rejoined us again, he crashed on one of the early stages, was hospitalized and underwent surgery to his face in Egypt, before flying back to Germany for reconstructive dental work. He flew back to Khartoum, and it is great to have him back with us.

At 5.30 pm we all met up and went off in taxis to the private house of Ed, who is at the Canadian Consulate in Khartoum, where he and a bunch of his selected guests, hosted the full TDA Team (Riders & Management) for dinner.

It was a grand affair, we were entertained by good music and dancing by a group of local Sudanese musicians and dancers. While dinner (starters, main course, and pudding) was out of this world, and appreciated by all concerned.

Back to the Hotel to pack our permanent & daily bags, we also took out our MTB tires from our permanent bags, we will be exchanging our slick tires for knobbly tires sometime during this coming leg (will be riding on dirt/gravel roads soon).

It's been a great rest day for the both of us.

Cheers,

Mike T