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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

Day 49 - Lake Bunyonyi Overland Resort (Rest Day)

Leo the Bike Mechanic retro fitting the replacement rear wheel to my bike.

Thursday, 2 March: The Resort is situated in the most picturesque of places, among the vibrant vegetation surrounding the shore of Lake Bunyonyi. The amenities are great. An observation deck overlooking the Lake, two bars, and two dining areas. The perfect place for a TDA Rest Day.

Generally the quality of the food was great, although it often involved a long wait while being prepared in the kitchen. Unfortunately... the only real gripe, a breakfast at the Restaurant that was one of the worst I have had this entire trip, and at a self-paying establishment.

I took the opportunity and handed in our laundry, we were told, due to the inclement weather, we had a 50% chance that it wouldn't be dry - not the most ideal of situations.

Travelling with wet clothes in your bags is a big no-no! Fortunately, our clothes were returned relatively dry.

Spent some quality time with Leo at today's Bike Clinic, he managed to retro-fit Sharita's rear wheel to my bike, so I am up and running again for the immediate stages. Hopefully it will last until I can make alternative arrangements for another rear wheel.

I promptly suggested to the other heavier riders that they check their rear rims for damage, Murray found two minor cracks on his rear rim, he will monitor them to see if they propagate or remain stable.

Murray carefully examining his rear rim for cracks

We ordered some print to order T-Shirts from a couple of enterprising locals, depicting the Mountain Gorillas (didn't get any the last time we visited the area on our Gorilla Trip) so it was rather fortuitous for us. It was a one day service, and we collected them at 5pm.

Choosing the desired motifs for our T-Shirts

Our belated Mountain Gorilla T-Shirts
(Gorillas in the mist, Muzungu's in the mud being very appropriate)

Between Liz and Rob, they organised for us to have our 4 000km Achieved photo taken, we had passed the 4 000km mark yesterday while cycling into Bunyonyi. Unfortunately, not all the eligible riders were available for the group photo, as some where out and about doing other things.

Some of the riders pose for the 4 000 km Completed photo

Simon and Anmei out on the Lake enjoying some recreational rowing

Murray organised a late afternoon boat cruise along a portion of the Lake (for 15 of us) which was most enjoyable. We were accompanied by Derrick, our own dedicated Guide, who was most informative. The Lake has numerous Islands, ranging from large to very small.

One of the smallest, Punishment Island, was previously used as a dumping ground for unwed pregnant women, who were banished there to fend for themselves, with many of them perishing a slow death. The only way off the Island, was if a male from another clan, "rescued" her to take her as his free wife (without having to pay Lobola).

Boarding the boat for our late afternoon cruise

Getting ready to cruise on Lake Bunyonyi

View of part of the Resort from the Lake

Small and inhospitable "Punishment Island"

The majority of the riders closed off the day with a buffet dinner, which was combined with a belated birthday celebration for Alex. Who initially wanted no celebrations and no birthday cake, but the riders and staff had other ideas.

A total of three birthday cakes were ordered from the Resort, and it can be said with great authority, that cake baking in Bunyonyi is not one of the Resorts fortes. Come back Chef Errol, your cake baking skills are sorely missed!

Cheers,

Mike T

Liz having some quality time

Late evening Buffet Dinner

Alex celebrates her belated birthday accompanied by Murray and Rupert

Alex's birthday cakes supplied by the Resort

Day 25 - Stage 21 - Senna to Canal Camp (88 km)

Breakfast time is usually quiet time

Monday: It was a shorter day, but not necessary an easier day, but our first on gravel and sand roads, allowing the mountain bikers among us to show off our skills. Muzz won the Stage, beating the younger racing snakes by over an hour.

Left our wooded campsite next to the Blue Nile, climbed on to the bridge and crossed the River, and headed South.

Route markings are now either the orange tape or flour arrows laid out on the ground, unfortunately either the sheep/goats or cattle eat the flour or kids steal or move the tape.

Lunch was at 46km, and we were surrounded by school kids who were totally amused by our lunch time pantomime. It must be quite an experience for them watching us going through our lunch time rituals, which seem quite normal to us.

Then into the nearest village for a Sudanese Soda (a type of raspberry) very sugary and not so nice. But necessary because it was another hot day, highest recorded temperature was 42 degrees C.

Four of us riders and the Lunch Truck, took a wrong turn today, because some juvenile delinquents had moved the orange tape and set it up on a different road, which sent us off in the wrong direction!! Fortunately we hadn't done too many kilo's before the truck came back and informed us we were going the wrong way! When we cycled past the guilty party, I managed to teach them some 'nice' Afrikaans swear words, not that they really paid much attention.

Coke Stop in the village was utter total chaos, we were surrounded by both kids and adults, it was such a suffocating experience, we had to move on, but not before Judith had some retail therapy and bought herself a pashmina.

Because of the heat, the last 20 km was a big grind, I kept stopping at any large available tree which threw up some decent shade, just to cool down our core body temperature.

Judith and I walked the last 2 km into camp, the head wind was just too strong and we were buggered. Didn't put up our tent up until the sun started going down - it was just too hot to do anything.

We had our first Sudanese donkey cart wash today, for a total of 5 Pounds, they will bring borehole water to you in a 44 gallon drum mounted on a cart and pulled by a donkey, tap off about 20 liters for you to use to wash yourself.

After today's ride it was greatly appreciated.

I had a full body wash, lily-white-ass and all, not a pleasant sight for any of the villagers who might have been watching.

Riders Briefing, followed by dinner, followed by an early night to bed. Its getting to be quite a simple routine in the evenings.

Tomorrow is a tough day (so they say) let's see what materializes.

Cheers,

Mike T