Mar. 15 to 18, 2008. Camping at the Alte Bruecke in Swakopmund.

It does not get any more deluxe then this. Each site has its own Bathroom,...

... with power and BBQ. Mike makes his specialty.

We spent an evening with this South African Couple from Durban.

Ruby's Birthday ...

... starts off with German pastry from the German Bakery.

Then we head to the National Marine Aquarium ...

... in Swakopmund.

With Sharks and lots of other ...

... marine life.

The largest Crystal lump in the World is located ...

... at the Swakopmund Crystal Museum.

Various other stones are on display.

Namibia has a huge mining industry.

Sulfur.

Desert Rose.

Swakopmund is a very German town. The Altes Amtsgericht (Old Court).

Baeckerei (Bakery).

Buchhandlung (Bookstore).

Brauhaus (Brewery).

Apotheke (Pharmacy).

These are just a few examples of the German influence on the country.

Mar. 19, 2008. These spiders were all over us and the motorcycles.

Our fist view of SPITZKOPPE.

The 1728m rock mountain is one of Namibia's land marks and ...

... can be seen from far away.

From the Spitzkoppe it is back on the gravel road D1918 to Hentiesbaai.

En-route we stop to check out these stones.

Ruby gave some bread, Nudella and Jam to the local women.

We purchase a couple of stones here.

These stalls are located in a very remote place with no services nearby.

Namibians.

Namibians.

The CAPE CROSS SEAL RESERVE ...

... located within the National West Coast Tourist Recreational Area ...

... and makes up the southern part of the Skeleton Coast.

A very lonely, bleak looking area.

There are thousands of seals swimming,...

...breeding...

...and hanging out on the beach.

It is quite a sight and smell.

At the same place a couple of crosses are erected,...

...indicating navigational aids, which were placed here...

... by the Portuguese when they first set foot on the coast in the late 15th Century.

Not far from there an old cemetery ...

... is located directly on the beach.

A view of the C34 salt road from Hentiesbaai to Ugabmund.

Again not much for civilization can be found here.

We set up camp in this Coca-Cola Tent ...

... at the Mile 108 Campsite to get shelter from the wind.

It does not look very appealing, but it is the only accommodation for a long distance.

Mar. 20, 2008. Our first stop is the gate of the SKELETON COAST PARK.

This park is off-limits to vehicles...

...unless a special permit has been obtained prior to arrival.

Motorcycles are not allowed period.

Another side trip on a sign called "Something" Wreck 4x4 only access.

We could not find the wreck only sea anglers.

On the D2342 with a view of the Brandberg Nature Reserve.

North of Uis on the D2612 we encounter the HERERO PEOPLE.

Native to the area, we purchased a small doll as a souvenir.

We also come across the famous HIMBA PEOPLE.

Their bodies are covered with red mud to protect from the sun.

Even their hair is covered in the red earth.

Giving a native a ride.

On the D2612 close to Twyfelfontein.

We had been dodgeing numerous Thunderstorms all afternoon.

Again an example of a blooming desert.

Camping at the Xaragu Lodge. Mike cooking supper.

Most tourists travel in 4x4 truck with (1) or (2) roof top tents.

It is the way to go.

The road into our campsite.

Mar. 21, 2008. The road to the Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings.

The famous TWYFELFONTEIN ROCK ENGRAVINGS.

These carvings on rock are one of the most extensive in Africa.

A guide is included with the entrance fee and very helpful to find the artwork.

The famous picture of a lion.

The engravings date back 5000 years and ...

... show rhinos, ostriches, giraffes and other animals.

Here a rhino can be seen.

These engravings were completed by bushman who traveled all over Africa.

Another beautiful sight of the blooming desert.

This engraving depicts animal footprints.

10km from the Twyfelfontein Rock Engravings ...

...are the ORGAN PIPES...

...basalt columns.

In close proximity another attraction the ...

... BURNT MOUNTAIN.

Mar. 22, 2008. Along C39 we come upon this rising river.

We waited over (2) hours for the water to recede and Mike carried all the luggage across first.

The crossing was a good 50m wide and ...

... 3m section was strong current which reached above Mike's knee.

A Namibian family who waited with us were the first to cross ...

... Riaan helped us bring each motorcycle across.

The current was too strong to ride it across.

The road before Sesfontein,...

... with more beautiful scenery...

...unfortunately it started to rain ...

...and the road conditions deteriorated to this.

Camping approx. 55km north of Sesfontein at the "Aussicht".

Another unique campsite. Each site had a (2) bucket system shower ...

... and a boiler for hot water.

Our reward after a long day in the saddle was this amazing sunset.

The campsite is located on a hill overlooking the valley below.

What a sky.

Mar. 23, 2008. We are invited to a mine tour on the premises.

This is one of the stones that is extensively mined here.

We are even given a souvenir.

A vein that is being mined.

Our ride out of the campsite was a bit of a challenge and ...

... included a large river bed crossing.

Baobob Trees line the road on the way to Opuwo.

These trees are massive and very old.

Mar. 24, 2008. The RUACANA FALLS.

The size surprised us.

This year Namibia had seen the wettest rainy season in over 20 years.

Mar. 26, 2008. The Northern Bikes & Quads Shop in Grootfontein. Johan, his son & crew mounted new tires on our motorcycles. Great shop.

Mar. 25 to 27, 2008. We stayed at the Sarasunga River Lodge in Rundu while waiting for the Angolan Visa.