Rest Day in Namibia along the Orange River

Namibia,
Felix River Camp
Amanzi River Trails Camp

Day 114 – May 6 – Rest Day

This was our last Rest Day of the Tour, after today it would be a straight seven day push to the finish in Cape Town. Unreal to think that the end is in sight, after such a long trip, I don’t think we fully comprehended the significance of the “Last Rest Day”.

Had a late breakfast at Felix Unite Camp Restaurant, I was very wary of having breakfast there, especially after last night’s pathetic service and experience, however the Camp Management gave us a good breakfast on the house, so they redeemed themselves, and I suppose all’s well that ends well!

I treated the day as an Admin Day, while Judith did some major laundry, to ensure we had enough clean clothes to get us to the finish. Later in the afternoon, Colleen from Amanzi arrived in her Amanzi Cruiser and kindly transported us and a select few to their Camp for the pre-arranged early evening braai (barbeque).

At one of the picturesque camping spots alongside the Orange River, Mike vd Berg and I organised the braai fire and we both braaied the meat, while everyone relaxed and enjoyed the peace and quiet, and contemplated the meaning of life, ably assisted by some liquid refreshments.  A great time was had by all, and the overseas riders agreed that their Southern African “Braai” experience was one to remember.

Our thanks go out to Colleen and Johan who kindly hosted us, supplied the wood, meat, salads and other delights and ensured that we lacked nothing, so ensuring the group had a very relaxing and enjoyable afternoon/evening.  Colleen then dropped us off back at Felix Unite, where it was back to TDA reality again for us all.

The reality sinking in... this was our last Rest Day of the Tour, and only one more 7 Day Section into Cape Town to be cycled, which will not be an easy one.  

Instead of taking the Coastal Road down South, the Organizers have ensured that we will be travelling on the dirt roads of Namaqualand, then climbing up and traversing parts of the Cederberg Mountain Range, before reaching the environs of Malmesbury, then on to Cape Town through the Koeberg Region. The last Section is definitely going to be a difficult ride.

Cheers,

Mike T

Team 'Amanzi Braai' enjoying their Rest Day alongside the Orange River

Mike vd Berg, Johan, Mike T, Liz and Colleen relaxing around the braai

The two Braai Masters (the two Mike's)

Waiting in anticipation for the food to arrive

Happy Campers enjoying the liquid refreshments at Amanzi

Distinctive folding of the sedimentary rock strata

View of the folding on the South African side of the Orange River

Felix Unite (Namibia) to Springbok (South Africa)

The last 7 Day Section before reaching our final destination in Cape Town

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Canon Roadhouse to Felix Unite Camp (171km) - Namibia

Namibia

Day 113 – May 5 – Stage 80

Left the Canon Roadhouse Camp, rode with Judith, we had a good morning’s ride, albeit at rather a slow pace. Cycled the same route as the Desert Knights Tour which we did in April 2016, except this time we did the first two days distance of Desert Knights in a single day, we also did it in the daytime and not in the dark of night.

Sunrise at Canon Roadhouse

Mike vd Berg eager to get going even after last night's celebrations

Peter and his Daughter Catherine making last minute adjustments

Leaving Canon Roadhouse after a great stay

Lunch was at 91km, unfortunately we took our time getting to the lunch position, so decided to climb the Lunch Truck, there was no way we were going to complete another 80km and get to Camp before sunset. We should have known better than to have had so many stops for photo opportunities, rest stops, and exploring the countryside - but it was worth it!

Judith riding the corrugations

Cycling a section of the Desert Knights Tour

Distant rain falling in the Ai Ais Transfronteir Park

Sharing the road with the motorised tourist's

Ingenious rock sculpture " Bobberjaan klim die Berg"

Tom having quality time by himself 

If only the wreck could talk !

Posing with an old wreck

Judith on her way to infinity and beyond

Arriving at the Lunch Truck

Marie helping to pack up after lunch

Climbed the truck, and our first stop was at the Aussenkehr Spar for a Coke Stop, where we did some grocery shopping as well (ice cream, chocolates and Amarula). Aussenkehr is an extensive table grape producing area, where the vines are irrigated from water taken out of the Orange River.

Before we reached the Felix Unite Camp, Wynand off-loaded our bikes from the Lunch Truck and we cycled to the Amanzi River Trails Camp to see our friends Johan & Colleen, owners of Amanzi.  A few years ago we did a 5-day Amanzi River Rafting Trip down the Orange River with them. We have also stayed over at their Camp on numerous occasions when we visited Namibia in the past.

Johan & Colleen were pleased to see us, and since we were having a rest day at nearby Felix Unite tomorrow, invited us to have a braai with them at Amanzi on the rest day; an invitation we could not refuse.  We then cycled the short distance back to the Felix Unite Camp for a well-earned rest day.

As tomorrow will be a rest day at Felix Unite (staying in quite a nice room), we had to organise dinner for ourselves, so we decided to eat at Felix's own Restaurant. However, dinner at Felix was a right royal stuff-up :/

Mike vd Berg’s steak was rotten (had to send it back), Wendy finally received her food an hour late, Paul & Wendy’s drinks orders never arrived. While on my side, I was refused the privilege of opening up a tab at the bar (a first for me) - it seems that I was regarded as a credit risk!

A bitter-sweet arrival to Orange River, but another rest day tomorrow to look forward to.

Cheers,

Mike T

Marie & Judith two of the Lunch Truck Riders

View of the rugged Namibian County Side

Table Grape Vineyard along the Orange River

Judith at Amanzi River Trails Camp

Our little piece of heaven at Felix Unite Camp for the next two nights

Overlooking the Orange River with South Africa on the opposite bank

Wendy and Paul in relax mode

Sunset over the Orange River

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Rest Day - Sesriem, Namibia

Namibia

Day 108 - Sesriem Rest Day

I spent the morning and afternoon at the Namibian Parks Board Restaurant, working on updating the blogs, couldn't stay in Camp as there was no shade or any other facilities available for us campers to use.

Some of the other Riders rode off on their bikes to take a trip down into Sesriem Canyon, while others went to Sossusvlei for either a sunrise or sunset viewing, and others just did the usual washing of dirty laundry, cleaning and checking of their bikes, or like me simply catching up on social media.


In the evening a group of us went out and had a buffet supper at the Sossusvlei Lodge, which was extremely posh, and their selection of starters, main course and desserts was simply outstanding and well worth taking the walk to the Lodge.  My Son & his wife had a buffet breakfast at the very same restaurant while on their Honeymoon & also mentioned it was absolutely worth visiting & a stunning setting.  


Today was our second last rest day, the trip is quickly coming to an end, we only have a five day and a seven day section left, with one rest day at Felix Unite Camp on the Orange River, before reaching Cape Town...


Cheers,
Mike T

Not much shade available for us Campers out in the Desert

Flowering Aloe at Sesriem Camp

Sunset at Sesriem 

The next Five Day Section to the Orange River

Sesriem to Betta Camp

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