Resolution, Revolution Or Right On From Where We Left Off

The choice is always ours.  New Year has come and gone a few dozen times in my life, some good, some indifferent, and some jolly awful. My New Year's resolutions have been a fickle affair, based on the belief that if we try and don’t succeed this time, we can start all over again in 365 days.  In 2016, I want to finish what I’ve started before starting something new. 

I’m proud to say Precious has all his buttons back on the shirts which have been draped over my chair for 4 months. My latest travel blanket has been stitched together, the ironing basket is empty, and all the single socks have partners. I’ve wrapped and stored the Christmas tree for another year.

Namibia in December isn’t everyone's idea of a Summer Holiday. A novel idea. We did it; we went north when everyone else went south. For future travellers, consider visiting during the cooler months or exploring lesser-known regions for a more authentic experience.

It’s best to set off at first light; roads are quiet, temperatures are reasonable, and watching the sun rise is glorious. Be prepared for long drives and check road conditions beforehand to ensure a smooth journey.

The perfect Afrikaans spoken by the Customs Officials made me realise that one need not make a hullabaloo about the language; it’s very much alive and well in Namibia.

A country of harsh contrasts, much of the land is drought-stricken; for kilometres we didn’t see a blade of grass or a green leaf on a tree, but the landscape remains breathtakingly vast and majestic. This should inspire awe and appreciation for Namibia's unique scenery.

At Goibib Mountain Lodge, we stopped for the night; our host was Andre Lotter—a well-kept, much-loved stock farm just north of Grunau. We witnessed first-hand how passionate one must be not to lose faith when there’s been no rain for years, when there’s no grazing and no water to feed your herds of cattle and antelope. It’s heartbreaking to see a farmer admit defeat and sell his herd out of necessity before they perish.

Oprah Winfrey said, “Everyone has a story to tell”. That’s true. We were spellbound listening to Andre, a very eloquent raconteur. He told us stories of diamond deals, murders, shootings, dodgy deals, family intrigues, and other jaw-dropping tales! We enjoyed two very informative game drives; we saw the sunrise and a magnificent sunset. We photographed the barren landscape, a herd of Nguni cattle and herds of antelope.

Our cool accommodation was very comfortable, and my hair did a final curl before going dead straight under the humidifier. The friendly staff catered to all our meals. Before we left home, I promised myself an afternoon of just reading, which I did beside the refreshing, crystal-clear pool.  We resumed our road trip feeling relaxed, refreshed, and excited to reach our destination.

Instead of lugging all our supplies from home, we decided to stop in Windhoek. An excellent decision indeed. A modern, cosmopolitan city. It's clean, friendly, and efficient, and it hasn't lost its African flair.  From Ackerman’s to Zoom, it’s all there. I got my daily fix at Woolies, stocked up with the freshest vegetables, salads, and the choicest cuts, vacuum-packed, all from the Food Lovers’ Market.  If I could've gotten away with it, I might've fallen for a pair of stilettoes; the shoe stores were an eye-opener.

Unlike Mozambique, Vietnam or India, our quest for a 4G data card failed. After queuing for almost half an hour, I was disappointed by the unenthusiastic salesperson at the Samsung shop. In Outjo, our next attempt, the NTC (Namibia Telecom) had closed! Ultimately a blessing, we loved being out of touch.

We arrived at the Arebbusch Travel Lodge, our accommodation in Windhoek, just in the nick of time. I had travelled enough for one day; our Audible book was almost finished, and I had cabin fever. Plus, I’m sure I had the beginnings of a bedsore on my bottom. A very good pit stop. Clean and spacious. A very comfortable bed with air conditioning (not negotiable in Namibia) and free Wi-Fi, one of the few times we could catch up with loved ones.

When in Windhoek, you shall have at least one meal at the iconic Joe’s Beerhouse. An establishment with a reputation. 400 guests can be seated in various interlinked dining areas. Built haphazardly, almost like the segments of a centipede, the individual dining areas are private and eclectically decorated, sometimes shabbier than chic, always a good talking point. I had the plumpest, fattest, most succulent Namibian oysters in town. The zebra steak, I believe, was excellent, and my steak salad a very healthy portion. This should spark curiosity and excitement about Namibia's local cuisine and culture.

We heard the rumbling thunder while the heavens lit up with flashes of lightning, and then we smelt the rain rolling in on the barren plains before it quenched the parched earth all around us.  This is the Africa I love.

Wilhelm Stal did not disappoint; our order of wors (sausage), droëwors (dried sausage) and biltong (beef jerky) was ready, packed and waiting for us—German efficiency at work. A must-do for anyone en route to Etosha or Swakopmund, it's in the middle somewhere on the highway. Delicious.

Our next stop would be Erindi, but more about that later.

This year I’ll focus on what I can when I can. Life is too short to miss out on a good time, have a nervous breakdown, or get stressed. Embracing travel and new experiences will motivate my audience to enjoy life fully and embark on their own adventures.

My P.S. The Namibian Dollar is linked to the South African Rand, which makes currency exchange straightforward.  However, connectivity can be patchy; consider downloading offline maps and local info before your trip to stay connected and informed. 

Oops, I am running a few minutes late; my previous meeting is running over.

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GOIBIB MOUNTAIN LODGE

AREBBUSCH TRAVEL LODGE–WINDHOEK

JOE’S BEERHOUSE

WILHELM STAL (for boerewors (nat wors), droëwors and biltong)

Tel: +264 62 500124