browsinaboutonabike.com
  • Armenia 18/4/2016
  • Baku, Azerbaijan
  • Georgia
  • 2-3/4/2016 Trabzon to Batumi, Georgia
    • 21-27/3/2016 Atakent to Trabzon >
      • 12-21/3/2016 Cide to Akakent >
        • 6-11/3/2016 Eregli to Cide
  • 26/2-4/3/2016 Istanbul to Eregli
    • Istanbul 15-25/2/2016 >
      • London 30/1-15/2/2016 >
        • Istanbul 19-30/1/2016
  • Proposed Journey East from Istanbul, March 2016
  • Sth Africa 6-19/1/2016
    • South Africa 6/12/2015 to 6/1/2016
  • Namibia 24/10-5/12/2015
    • Namibia 1/10/2015 to 23/10/2015
  • Zambia 7-30/9/2015
  • 21/8/2015 Malawi
  • 30/7-20/8/2015 Kigoma to Malawi Border
    • 21-30/7/2015 Tanzanian border to Kigoma, Lake Tanganyika >
      • 18-20/7/2015 Kigali to Tanzanian border >
        • 12-15/7/2015 Gisenyi to Kigali >
          • 10-11/7/2015 Rwandan border to Gisenyi
          • 15th June to 8th July Uganda
  • Last days in Kenya
    • 1-6/6/2015 Meru to Nyahururu >
      • 28-31/05/2015 Kenol to Meru >
        • 2011-16 Map >
          • 12-18/10/2014 Beausejour to St Laurent do Maroni >
            • 7-11/10/2014 St Georges to Beausejour, French Guiana >
              • 3-7/10/2014 Amapá, Brazil to St Georges, French Guiana >
                • 1-2/10/2014 Porto Grande to Amapá, AP >
                  • 26-29/9/2014 Macapá to Porto Grande >
                    • 16-23/9/2014 Almeirim to Macapá >
                      • 11-16/9/2014 Rurópolis to Almeirim, PA,BR >
                        • New Page
                        • 13/8-10/9/2014 Rurópolis, BR to Christchurch, NZ, return >
                          • 2-12/8/2014 Altamira to Ruropolis >
                            • 1-4/8/2014 Pacajá to Altamira, PA >
                              • 29/7-1/8/2014 Marabá to Pacajá, PA, BR230
        • 21-28/5/2015 Ongata to Kenol >
          • 5-21/5/2015 Iten to Ongata Rongai, Nairobi >
            • 2-6/5/2015 Kitale to Iten >
              • 1-2/5/2015 Lodwar to Kitale, Kenya >
                • Kenya: Omorate to Lodwar 20/04- 1/05/2015
  • 12-18/4/2015 Abra Minche to Omorate, Ethiopia
    • 3-10/4/2015 Waliso to Abra Minch >
      • 16-30/3/2015 Dese to Waliso, Ethiopia >
        • Ethiopia 9-16/3/2015 Me'kele to Dese >
          • 19/2-8/3/2015 Ethiopia
  • 25/1-18/2/2015 Sudan
  • 16-17 Luxor to Aswan
    • 8-15/1/2015 Asyut to Luxor >
      • 7-10/1/2015 Giza to Asyut
  • 1-6/1/2015 Cairo
    • Proposed passage Cairo to Cape Town Jan 2015 >
      • 21/10-12/11/2014 Suriname and Guyana
  • Updated Gear List
  • Rodovia Transamazônica
  • 21- 25/7/2014 Redencáo to Marabá, PA
    • Pará: 17-22/7/2014 Confresa, MT to Redencao, PA >
      • 9-13/7/2014 Nova Xavantina to Confreza, MT >
        • 3-4/7/2014 Barra do Garcas to Nova Xavantina >
          • 26-31/6/2014 Rondonópolis to Barra Do Garcas, MT >
            • 20-23/6/2014 Rio Verde, MS to Rondonópolis, MT >
              • 13-17/6/2014 Bonito to Rio Verde de Mato Grosso >
                • 9-11/6/2014 Jardim to Bonito MS, BR >
                  • 7-9/6/2014 Pedro Juan Caballero, PY to Jardim,BR >
                    • 9,10,11/5/2014 Remanso to Concepción onboard MV Osmar >
                      • 6-7/5/2014 Remanso,PY >
                        • 6/5/2014 Asunción to Remanso, PY >
                          • 27/4-2/5/2014 Foz do Iguaco, BR to Asunción, PY >
                            • 24-26/4/2014 Andresito to Puerto Iguazu >
                              • 19-21/4/2014 El Soberbio to San Antonio, AR >
                                • 16-17/4/2014 El Progreso to El Soberbio, AR >
                                  • 13-15/4/2014 Apóstoles to El Progreso >
                                    • 28/3-1/4/2014 Buenos Aires,AR to Paysandu, UY >
                                      • Profile Paysandu to Brazil
                                    • 9-12/4/2014 Tapebicuá to Apóstoles, AR >
                                      • 8/4/2013 Sawmill, north of Bonpland to 3km sth of Tapebicuá
                    • 28-30/5/2014 Concepción to Pedro Juan Caballero PY >
                      • 23-25/5/2014 Aquidaban back to Concepción >
                        • 16-20/5/2014 Tres Gigantes Estación Biologica >
                          • 14-16/5/2014 Vallemi to Bahia Negra on the Aquidaban >
                            • 13/5/2014 Bus trip Concepción to Vallemi
                    • 1-6/6/2014, Pedro Juan Caballero
  • 25/1/2014 USHUAIA
    • 23-24/1/2014 Rio Grande to Rio Lasifashaj >
      • 22-23/1/2013 Punta Arenas, CL to Rio Grande, AR >
        • 16-19/1/2014 Puerto Natales to Punta Arenas >
          • 14-15/1/2014 Torres Del Paine National Park, CL >
            • 8-12/1/2014 El Calafate to Puerto Natales >
              • 1-7/1/2013 Villa O'Higgins, CL to El Calafate, AR >
                • 27-31/12/2013 Cochrane to Villa O'Higgins >
                  • 19-26/12/2013 Coyhaique to Cochrane >
                    • 12-18/12/2013 Rio Santiago Bastia to Coyhaique >
                      • 6-12/12/2013 La Piedra del Gato to Mañihuales >
                        • 5-9/12/2013 Quellón to La Junta, CL >
                          • 29/11/2013 5/12/2013 Castro to Quellón, Chiloe, CL >
                            • 24/11/2013 Puerto Montt to Castro >
                              • 16-23/11/2013, San Martín, AR to Puerto Montt, CL >
                                • 9-14/11/2013 Temuco, CL to San Martín de los Andes, AR
                                • Cunco to Temuco and Santiago by bus
                                • Untitled
                                • 20,21/10/2013 Malargue to Los Frisos,AR
                                • 22-29/10/2013 Las Frisas, AR to Cunco,CL
  • 13/3/2012 Penonomé to Playa Gorgona
    • 14/3/2011 Playa Gorgona to Panama City
    • 15,16/3/2011 Panama City >
      • 14/4/2012, Shelter bay & Gatun Locks >
        • 15,16/4/2012 Canal transit >
          • 17/4/2012 Shelter Bay Marina onboard SV Bijou >
            • Feb 2014, An account of a road trip in New Zealand
          • 18,19/4/2012 Shelter Bay Marina
      • 17.../3/2012 Onboard SV Moondance, Brisas de Amador >
        • 25 March to 9 April, Gorgona, PC,Las Bresas >
          • 11/4/2012, Shelter Bay Marina,SV Bijou
          • 12/4/2012, Shelter Bay, and a bit of exploring
        • 11/3/2012 Las Lajas to Santiago >
          • 12/3/2012, Santiago to Penonomé
  • 7/4/2013 Bella Unión, UY to north of Bonpland, AR
    • 4-6/4/2014 Salto to Bella Unión, UY >
      • 2-3/4/2014 Termas de Guaviyú to Salto
  • Overnight Stop Map
    • 20-27/4/2012 Passage Portobelo to Santa Marta, Colombia
    • 28-29/2012 Santa Marta
  • Chile to Argentina (click on this header for an entry)
    • 6/9/2013 59km up the road camping
    • 7/9/2013 the corner to Paso Jama, Argentina
    • 8/9/2013 Paso Jama to adobe ruins on Salar de Olaroz
    • 9/9/2013 Ruins to south of Susques
    • 10/9/2013 Sth of Susques to bottom of range, camping >
      • 11/9/2013 bottom of the range to Purmamarca
      • 12/9/2013 Purmamarca to Lake campground near Salta >
        • 13,14/9/2013 Dique Cobre Corral to Salta,AR >
          • Salta south >
            • 17/9/2013 Quebrada De Las Conchas to Cafayate
      • 19/9/2013 Cafayate to 15km to Rio El Tesaro, camping >
        • 20/9/2013 Rio El Tesaro to Rio Belén, sth of Hualfin
      • 21/9/2013 Rio Belén to Belén >
        • 22/9/2013 Belén to a creek bed 42km sth
        • 23/9/2013 creek bed to 10km nth of Pituil
        • 25/9/2013 north of Pituil to Chilecito
        • 25-30/9/2013 Chilecito, AR
        • 1-7/10/2013 Chilecito to Caucete, AR >
          • 9-12/10/2013 Caucete to Tunuyán, AR
      • 13-15/10/2013 Caucete to San Rafael, AR >
        • 17/10/2013 San Rafael to Malargue, AR
  • Chile from 28/8/2013
    • 29/8/2013 Ascotán to Chiu Chiu
    • 30/8/2013 Chiu Chiu to Calama, CL
    • 31/8,1/9/2013 Calama to San Pedro de Atacama, CL
  • 20/7/2013 Titicaca area to Bolivian border
    • 20/7/2013 Sicuani to Santa Rosa >
      • 21/7/2013 Santa Rosa to Juliaca >
        • 22/7/2013 Juliaca to 6km past Huancané >
          • 23/2013 Huancané to Conima, camping >
            • 24/7/2013 near Conima, Peru to Puerto Acosta, Bolivia >
              • 25/7/2013 Puerto Acosta to Nth of Ancoraimes
  • 26/7/2013 Nth of Ancoraimes to Achacachi
    • 27/7/2013 Achacachi to Copacabana >
      • 28,29/7/2013 Copacabana BO, Kasani PE, Copa. BO
      • 30/7/2013 Copacabana, BO to Desaguadero, PE
      • 31/7/2013 Desaguadero, PE to El Alto, BO
      • 1,2/8/2013 El Alto to La Paz
      • 3,4,5/8/2013 La Paz
      • 8/08/2103 La Paz to Nth of Ayo Ayo, Camping
      • 9/8/2013 Nth of Ayo Ayo to south of Villa, camping >
        • 10/8/2013 Sth of Villa to just sth of Oruro, camping >
          • 11/8/2013 Sth of Ororo to Sth of Pazna, camping >
            • 12/8/2013 Sth of Poopo to Challapata >
              • 13,to17/8/2013 Challapata to Jirira 18-26/8 to Ollague,Chile
  • Peru 20/4/2013.....
    • 20-22/4/2013, Macará to Olmos, PE
    • 23-27/4/2013 Olmos to Chachapoyas,PE
    • 27/4/2013, Chachapoyas, PE
    • Chachapoyas to Cajamarca, PE >
      • 1/5/2013 Lejmebamba to Cerros de Calla-Calla >
        • 2/5/2013 Cerros de Calla-Calla to Balsas >
          • 3/4/2013 Balsas to a farm house overlooking Limon >
            • 4/5/2013 farm house campsite to south of Celendin >
              • 5,6/5/2013 Sth of Celendin to Cajamarca
    • 7/5/2013 Cajamarca to 9km before Cajabamba >
      • 8/5/2013, 9 km north of Cajabamba to Laguna Sousacocha >
        • 11/5/2013 Haumachuco to Trujillo
        • 9,10/5/2013 Laguna Sausacocha to Huamachuco
      • 18/5/2013 Lima
      • 23-25/5/2013 Trujillo to Caraz, PE >
        • 26,27/5/2013 Caraz to Huaraz, PE >
          • 28/5/2013 Huaraz to 34km south of Pachocoto,PE >
            • 29/5/2013 Farm 25km past Chacapoto to 12km on Huánuco Rd >
              • 30/5/2013,12km up Huanuco road to camp at 4600m >
                • 31/5/2013 near summit to La Union
    • 1/6/2013 Huánaco to camp near Acobamba >
      • 2,3/6/2013 Camping near Acobamba to Huánuco
    • 16/6/2013 Huancayo to Cuzco and Machu Picchu >
      • 16/6/2013 Huancayo to south of Mariscal Cáceres, camping >
        • 17/6/2013 sth Mariscal Cáceres 4km sthLa Esmeralda,camping >
          • 18/6/2013 Sth of La Esmaralda to Huanta >
            • 19/6/2013 Huanta to Ayacucho
  • 22/6/2013 Ayaucucho to top of pass before Ocros, 4200m
    • 23/6/2013 cerca la cumbre a 5km sur de Puente Pampas >
      • 23/6/2013 Sur de Puente Pampas a 5km este de Uripa >
        • 24/6/2013 above Uripa to Andahualas >
          • 25/6/2013 Andahuaylas to 10km below the summit >
            • 26/6/2013 near the summit to Puente Pachachaca >
              • 29/6/2013 Abancay to Curahuasi >
                • 30/6/2013 Curahuasi to a camp on the Rio Apurimac >
                  • 1/7/2013 Rio Apurimac to Izcuchaca >
                    • 2/7/2013 Izcuchaca and Cuzco >
                      • 4,5/7/2013 Izcuchaca to Cuzco >
                        • 9,10,11/7/2013 Cuzco to Machu Picchu >
                          • 11-16/7/2013 Cuzco >
                            • 17/7/2013 Cuzco to Quiquijana camping on el Rio Vilcanota
              • 27,28/6/2013 Puente Pachachaca to Abancay
  • 4/6/2013 Huánuco to just south of Huariaca
    • 5/6/2013 Huariaco to Cerro De Pasco >
      • 7,8/5/2013 Cerro De Pasco >
        • 8/6/2013 Cerro De Pasco to Junín >
          • 9/6/2013 Junín to 20km south of La Aroya, camping >
            • 10/6/2013 Sth of La Aroya to Huancayo
  • Medellín to Ushuaia, 2013 (april 2013 here,)
    • 31/1/13 Riosucio to Anserma >
      • 1/2/2013 Anserma to Cartago >
        • 6/12/2015 to 4/1/2016 South Africa
        • 2/2/2013 Cartago to Buga >
          • 3/2/2013 Buga all day >
            • 4,5/2/2013 Buga to Cali >
              • 6/2/2013 Cali to Piendamo
    • 27/1 Medellín to Bolombolo
    • 28/1 Bolombolo to La Pintada >
      • 29/1/13 La Pintada to Supia >
        • 30/1/13 Supía to Riosucio
      • 8/2/2013 Timbio to El Bordo >
        • 6/3/2013, San Clemente to Manta, EC >
          • 7/3/2013 Manta,EC all day >
            • 9/3/2013, Manta to Tena by bus >
              • 12,13,14,15 Tena to Limoncocha >
                • 16,17/3/2013 Manta >
                  • 18-23 Manta, Galapagos, Manta >
                    • 24,25/3/2013 Manta to Machalilla NP, EC >
                      • 26/3/2013 Machalillo NP to Machalillo >
                        • 27/3/2013 Machalilla to Puerto Lopez >
                          • 228,29,30/3/2013 Puerto Lopez, EC >
                            • Untitled
                            • 31/3/2013, Puerto Lopez to Ayungue, EC
      • 19/2/2013 Otavalo, Ecuador all day >
        • 20/2/2013 Otavalo to Sth of Otón, Ecuador >
          • 21/2/2013 Otón to Quito >
            • 22,23/2/2013 Quito, Hotel Húngaro >
              • 26/2/2013 Quito to Tandapi, EC
      • 27/2/2013 Tandapi to El Carmen, EC >
        • 28/2/2013, El Carmen to Pedernales, EC >
          • 2/3/2013 Pedernales to Tabuga >
            • 3/3/2013 Tabuga to Canoa >
              • 30/4/2012 Last day Santa Marta >
                • 1/5/2012 Santa Marta to Barranquilla
                • 2/5/2012 Barranquilla to Santa Veronica
                • 3/5/2012 Santa Veronica all day >
                  • 4-5/5/2012 Santa Veronica
              • 6-7/5/2012 Santa Veronica >
                • 8,9 &10/5/2012 Santa Veronica
              • 11/5/2012 Santa Veronica to Cartagena >
                • 12/5/2012 Cartagena all day >
                  • 13/5/2012 Cartagena to San Jacinto >
                    • 14/5/2012 San Jacinto to Sincelejo >
                      • 15/5/2012 Sincelejo to San Bernado >
                        • 16/5/2012 San Bernado to Puerto Escondido >
                          • 17,18/ 5 /2012, Puerto Escondido >
                            • 19/5/2012, Puerto Escondido to Planeta Rico >
                              • 20/5/2012 Planeta Rica to Caucasia >
                                • Untitled
                                • Untitled
                                • 21/5/2012, Caucasia to Tarazá >
                                  • 22/5/2012, Tarazá to Valdivia >
                                    • 23/5/2012, Valdivia to Yarumal >
                                      • 24/5/2012, Yarumal for the day >
                                        • 25/5/2012 Yarumal to Santa Rosa de Osos >
                                          • 26/5/2012, Santa Rosa de Osos >
                                            • 27/5/2012, Santa Rosa de Osos to Medellin >
                                              • 28/7 2011, Hannibal to Grafton
              • 5/3/2013, Canoa to San Clemente,EC
      • 9/2/2013 El Bordo to Tablon (April 2013 here) >
        • 1/4/2013 Ayungue to Salinas, EC >
          • 2/4/2013 Salinas to Posorjas,EC >
            • 3/4/2013 Posorja to San Carlos,EC >
              • 4/4/2013, San Carlos to Angas,EC >
                • 5/4/2013, Angas to Soldados, EC >
                  • 6/4/2013, Soldados to Cuenca >
                    • 7-9/4/2013, Cuenca, EC >
                      • 10-14/4/2013 Cuenca to Loja >
                        • 14-18/4/2013 Loja to Macará, EC >
                          • 7/2/2013 Piendamo to Timbio
      • 10,11/2/2013 Tablon to Chacahgui
      • 12/2/2013 Chachagui to Yucuanquer
      • 13,14,15/2/2013 Yucuanquer to Ipiales >
        • 16/2/2013 Ipiales to Bolivar, Ecuador >
          • 17/2/2013 Bolivar to nth of Ibarra, Ecuador >
            • 18/2/2013 Nth of Ibarra to Otavalo, Ecuador
    • Colombia 2012
  • Terrain Profiles
  • Nicaragua
  • Blog
  • Memphis to Venice, LA
  • Home and August entries
    • 8/8/2011 Sweetwater to Salida >
      • 9/8/2011 Salida to 3m North of Cripple Creek, CO >
        • 10/8/2011 Cripple Creek to Phantom Canyon >
          • 11/8/2011 Phantom Canyon to Pueblo >
            • 12/8/2011 Kansa to Warrensberg, MO >
              • 13/8/2011 Warrensberg to Clinton, MO >
                • 14/8/2011 Clinton to Sedalia >
                  • 15/8/2011 Sedalia to Tipton >
                    • 16/8/2011 Tipton all day >
                      • 17/8/2011 Tipton to Red Oak Park ,Lake of the Ozarks >
                        • 18/8/2011 Lake of the Ozarks all Day >
                          • 19/8/2011 Red Oak all day >
                            • 20/8/2011 Red Oak Park to Boonville >
                              • 21/8/2011 Boonville to Columbia >
                                • 22/8/2011 Columbia all day >
                                  • Untitled
                                  • 22/8/2011 Columbia to Portland >
                                    • 24/8/2011 Portland to Defiance >
                                      • 25/8/2011 Machens to Portage Des Sioux >
                                        • 26,27,28/8/2011Portage Des Sioux to Alton >
                                          • 29/8/2011 Alton to Columbia >
                                            • 30/8/2011 Columbia to Chester >
                                              • 31/8/2011 Chester to Grand Tower >
                                                • 1/9/2011 Grand Tower, IL to Wickliffe, KY >
                                                  • 2/9/2011 Wickliffe to Columbia, KY >
                                                    • 5/9/2011Tiptonville TN to Ripley TN
                                                    • Untitled
                                                    • 3-4/9/2011 Colmbus to Hickman, KY >
                                                      • 6/9/2011 Ripley Meeman- Shelby SP >
                                                        • Untitled
                                                        • 7/9/2011 Meeman-Shelby to Memphis
    • The proposed itinerary
    • A few words about the river
    • My Bike
    • Journal- Intro
    • Journal Entries late July early August >
      • 29/7/11 Grafton all day >
        • 30/7/2011 Grafton To Alton >
          • 31/7/11 Alton all day >
            • 1/8/2011 Alton all day >
              • 2,3/8/2011 Alton to Colarado Springs >
                • 3/8/2011 Colarado Springs >
                  • 4/8/2011, Colarado Springs >
                    • 5/8/2011 Colarado Springs Day 2
                  • 6/8/2011 Pueblo Dakota Springs >
                    • 7/8/2011 Dakota Hot Springs to Texas Creek >
                      • 7/8/2011 Dakota Hot springs to Texas Creek
    • The Gear list
  • Sydney to International Falls
    • IF to Northome >
      • Northome to Three Island Lake >
        • Three Island Lake to Itasca State Park >
          • Itasca Park full day 1 >
            • Itasca Park full day 2
  • Itasca to 4m north of Walker
    • 21/6/11 Walker to dare I say it Park Rapids
    • 22/6/11 Park Rapids all day >
      • 23/6/11 Park Rapids to sth of Walker
    • 24/6/11 Sth of Walker to Oak Haven Resort
    • 25/6/11 Oak Haven to Bena
    • 26/6/11 Bena for the day >
      • 27/6/11 Bena, from my tent to the shop and back
  • 28/6/11 Bena to Grand Rapids
  • 29/06/11 Grand Rapids to Pallisade
    • 30/06/11 Palisade to Crosby
    • 1/07/11 Crosby to Royalton
    • 2/07/2011 Royalton to St Cloud >
      • 3/07/2011 St Cloud to Monticello >
        • 4/7/2011 Monticello to Ham Lake >
          • Ham Lake all day >
            • 6/7/2011 Ham Lake to Prescott, WI >
              • 7/6/2011 Prescott to Pepin
          • 8/7/2011 Pepin to Perrot SP
    • 9/7/2011 Perrot SP to Wabasha, MN
  • 10/7/2011 Wabasha to Hastings
  • 16-17/1/2015 Luxor to Aswan
  • Zambia 7-30/9/2015
  • 11/7/2011 Hastings to Wabasha
    • 12/7/2011 Wabasha to Lansing,IA >
      • 13/7/2011 Lansing all day >
        • 14/7/2011 Lansing to Pikes Peak SP >
          • 15/7/2011 Pikes peak SP to Dubuque, IA >
            • 16/7/2011, Dubuque to Bellevue >
              • 17/7/2011, Pleasant Creek CG all day >
                • 18/7/2011, Pleasant Creek CG all day >
                  • 19/7/2011, Bellevue to Silvas, IL
          • 20/7/2011, Moline for the Day >
            • 21/7/2011, Moline to Loud Thunder Park >
              • 22/7/2011, Loud Thunder park to Keithsberg >
                • 23/07/2011, Keithbergs to Fort madison, IA >
                  • 24/7/2011, Fort Madison to Nauvoo
                • 25/7/2011, Nauvoo to Quincy >
                  • 26/7/2011 Quincy all day
    • Granada to Panama, Feb 27 >
      • 9, 10/3/2011 Servo to Playa Las Lajas
  • 8/5/2017 Tehran
Picture
Lunch in Lamberts Bay with Napoleon, Analise and family, such enjoyable company and hospitable people. They made my time in Lamberts Bay so enjoyable.
Picture
Last border crossing
Picture
First night in Sth Africa
South Africa
 
6/12/2015  Amanzi River Camp Henkries turnoff
D75, T6.5, Av11.70, max55,   49,912 14,014
Moderate winds and hot
I got away from the camp about 0800 and said goodbye to Shane, Johann and Colleen had already left for Cape town to have a break before Xmas.
Shane decided to ride the 10km to Noordoewer with me on his mountain bike. He also had a ride on my bike to see what it felt like on a loaded touring bike. He got off to a wobbly start.
We stopped at the basically provisioned store there. Here bread was bought. I still had a good supply of food from Aussenkehr Spar.
We said our goodbyes, I had a lot to thank him for.
A stop was made at the Engen gas station to fill up my fuel bottle. It was then a few km to Namibi immigration where I got stamped out hten across the river to RSA immigration. I got the patrol booth guy to take a pic of me. He was not supposed to but did anyway.
I will never forget my time here in Namibia firstly with Cal and Ben, then with Phil from Belguim.
Our last two weeks in Swakopmund with Rita and Willie was such a great way to finish off our time together.
Then all the farmers and road users who assisted me with places to stay and water along the way will always be remembered.
The desert in Namib desert in Namibia was such a unique place to be on a bicycle. It is so accessible, on minute you are in a town and 3km away you are back in the dryness of the Namib. That it extends all the way to the coast makes it so special. The sight of Oryx on open rocky plantless valleys is a sight to behold, seeing mountain zebra also amongst the barren rocky terrain is also seemingly unreal.
 That this desert had terrain other than flatness makes for such interesting landscapes. The evenings were shrouded in stars in numbers only ever seen near Ayers rock in Australia.
My thanks goes to all those people who shared their lives with me whilst in Namibia.
It was no hassle getting through the RSA immigration, though I did make sure they gave me three months here in their country.
Make sure when entering Namibia they give you three months. They only gave me two and Cal and Ben 1 month each. A bit odd but a good way of raising revenue, it cost $AU43for an extension in Luderitz.
It was great to be cruising along a good asphalt road, there was aslow but steady climb out of the Orange valley water shed, This went on all afternoon. The scenery was still best described as desert country. They had new reat areas along the roadside every 20-30km. A stop was made at one to have sardines and some cereal energy drink.
There wasasteady south west wind blowing as usual, it was cooling and was not really a head wind but did slow down progress/.
 The fencing was very close to the roads edge so the opportunities for camping were limited as there was also little vegetation other than shrubs.
Once nearly out of water I stopped at another rest area and walked back to its entrance and waved down a truck with a water bottle in my hand. The second semi pulled in. The driver and I had a good chat, he was on his way from Angola to pick up hake to haul back there.
He had a water tank on the side of the trailer, all my bottles and the bladder were filled.
He also gave me some oranges. These were eaten on the spot, all six of them.
The main road users were the guys hauling grapes from Aussenkehr .
There were a few cars, all were travelling at fast speeds.
At 1800, a turnoff was found. I headed in here and parked the bike to have a look around a dry creek bed not far up the dirt rod.
It was blowing hard. The need to get out of the wind was important, so was the need not to be seen.
A spot just in the lee of an eroded wall of sand was ideal.
Anyway I got spotted by  passing car. I wandered over to have a chat with the carful of coloured people as they are called. They were happy for me to camp here.
The coloured people here are very different from the other African people encountered in the northern countries. They have in many cases lighter hair end come in all shapes and sizes.
In Southern Africa, the term Coloureds (also known as Bruinmense or Kleurlinge) is an ethnic label for people of mixed ethnic origin who possess ancestry from Europe, Asia, and various Khoisan and Bantu ethnic groups of southern Africa. Not all Coloured people share the same ethnic background. As a result, Coloured people can possess a variety of different features. [3][4] Besides the extensive combining of these diverse heritages in the Western Cape — in which a distinctive Cape Coloured and affiliated Cape Malay culture developed — in other parts of Southern Africa, their development has usually been the result of the meeting of two distinct groups. Genetic studies suggest the group has the highest levels of mixed ancestry in the world. However, the maternal (female) contribution to the Coloured population, measured by mitochondrial DNA studies, was found to come mostly from the Khoisan population. Ref:Wikipedia
As usual the wind died off in the evening.
My back is still giving me a few pains, this is something I need to watch, it is ok whilst riding. Occasionally some Ibuprofen is taken, it is not wanted to allow this to become a habit.
There were almost no animal tracks in the sand so a good nights sleep was assured. I was surprised at the number of vehicles using the road. No others noticed me here.
7/12/2015 Camp Henkries turnoff, N7 to Springbok
D66, T4, Av16.34, max54,   49,978 14,080
Moderate winds and hot
I was up before daylight, and on the road by 0630, no one was about as I pushed the bike back through the sand to the road.
It was lucky I had stopped here as the road now wound through rolling hills some quite long.
There was roadworks at many sections. This was great as they allowed me to ride on the unused half of the road. The countryside is now slightly more vegetated but with few trees. Í arrived in Springbok at 1200.
The main purpose of stopping here was to courier my NZ passport application to Pretoria so as a new one could be collected in Cape Town when I get there.
I booked a room in the Springbok Lodge which was quite expensive but comfortable.
I had filled out all the forms for the renewal in Swakopmund so it was just a matter of ringing Pretoria to check my application was correct. The lodge owner a helpful guy let more use his fax machine.
All was good it would get in the last diplomatic package going to Wellington and iwould receive it in January at Johanns and Colleens house in Cape town who kindly let me have it posted there. I found a courier in Springbok who could get it to Pretoria in two days.
The postage system is not reliable here, so I am told.
I cooked up a great steak and vege dish in the room.
8/12/2015  Springbok to Kamieskop
D71, T5, Av13.74, max46,   50,049 14,151
Moderate winds and hot
This morning I got the documents away with a courier and finally left town about 1200. I also bought a sm card from MTN. Two gig of data for a month cost 160 Rand.
On the way out of town the wind started blowing and I was feeling a little less than motivated.
 I stopped at a caravan a couple of km out of town on the left. In here they were less than interested in my custom and could not even give me a shady sight. I might add that there were no other guests in the place. So I rode on. In hindsight the kms covered today were a bonus.
The hills continued all afternoon. It was just a matter of just plodding long.
There were more road works. It was well organised with good traffic control. The shoulder was really non existent some trucks passed at very close quarters. I am used to this now and just keep my line and hang on.
I got to Kamieskop and turned off into town. Here I bought two icy cold cokes from the general store.
It is great to be able to buy coke in glass again, it tastes so much better. Namibia only had cans and plastic. Needless to say little coke was drunk there.
In town I rode up to a small unmaned caravan park. In here my front tyre was repaired. Sometimes riding on the firm dirt shoulder on the way here, a piece of wire or  thorn must have caused the problem.
This was repaired in the caravan park, which really was just a dirt area inside a fence with a small ablution building and a few taps.
One thing there was here was thousands of vicious ants all over the ground. They soon latched onto my feet and would not leave me alone. Their bites were quite painful. Cream was applied which kept them at bay for awhile. I was committed to changing the tyre.
I left here as no one turned up and went next door to the police station where they kindly let me camp there behind the offices. It was agreat spot out of the wind, on concrete with water close by. A great pasta was prepared. It was easy to fall asleep feeling totally safe. However I locked the bike as I always do. It makes me sleep better!!. I will not book a hotel room unless I can put the bike in the room, for the same reason.
9/12/2015 Kamieskop to Rubbish camp, N7
D88, T5.6, Av14.88, max48,   50,138 14,239
Moderate winds and hot
As expected a great nights sleep was enjoyed. I did use the internet very early in the morning it seems to the only time that it has any speed.
I was on the road by 0730.
Again it was more hills, infact hill after hill. I got to Garies and stopped here at the supermarket for two hours and ate a can of peaches, some chicken and just rested. Leaving here a stop was made at the health clinic to get some Ibuprofen.
I got water in the town, though locals said it tasted bad and they only used it for cooking. Some was taken anyway.
The road was more of the same. All this country now is ablaze with wild flowers in august through to October. There is quite a variety of vegetation. There were some great new rest areas along the road. A stop was made at two of these to get some shade and have a bite to eat. My bread and crunchy peanut butter is a saviour. Sardines as usual are eaten. I had a pear with me also.
The hills had slowly drained me all day. Near 1700, I started looking for water and a camp. A concrete water tank was seen off the road. Here I topped up all my bottles and bladder. The water was quite salty, with my thirst it did not matter.
Some guys were driving out of the property on a track. I wandered over to see them. Asking if I could camp in an old quarry across the paddock they said they to were trespassing but said the owner probably would not care. That was enough fro me I was finished for the day.
Iwheeled the bike over to the dug out area. Here a sleep was enjoyed for an hour in a shady area.
I sleep on the shawl cloth I bought in Zambia that is also layed out to put my kitchen items on when camping. It is very light and handy.
As the sun went down, I moved the bike over to a better area out of sight of the road. In this hollow was a dump of old steel and aluminium rip top cans. They must have been 40 years old or more. It bought back memories of drinking from these.
The water was so bad, I started feeling a bit off. It was decided just to have baked beans for dinner. No water needed!
I was in the tent early. It was a nice cool night to be in the sleeping bag.
10/12/2015 Rubbish camp, N7 to Nuwerus, Hardeveld lodge
D43, T2.6, Av14.33, max41,   50,180 14,282
Calm and mild
On waking, a dew was covering everything, the tent was quite wet on the outside. I t has been a long time since this has been experienced.
 My two coffees hid the salty water flavour a little but it still could be tasted. I moved the bike out of the hollow without the gear on it. My back was still a little sore. It needed to be rested. Ever since pushing on the D707 it has been noticeable.
Out on the road, about 10km on some guys were parked in a rest area. They were from a copper mine nearby. They kindly gave me some decent water. It was so nice to have a good large drink of this.
The road had now levelled out a little and a good shoulder was present. Soon I arrived at Bitterfontein. Here some drinks and food were enjoyed at the gas station. A young guy on a BMW 850 bike pulled in. He said he had dropped his 200 odd kg machine 4 times in sandy back roads near the coast.
I was going to travel some of these roads but pleased now itvwas decided not to. The dirt roads here in Namibia are quite different from those in Namibia.
It was another 20km to Nuwerus. Patrick and Rachel had said the owners of the Hardeveld lodge really liked having cyclists stay. Even though it was early I pulled in to enquire. They were the nicest people. kobus and his wife Fay were so accommodating. I put my tent up under a garage awning. They had a dining room and a great lounge full of interesting books bout Africa and adventure stories. It was one of those places where I felt totally at ease and things did not have to be packed up all the time.
They were keen gardeners, there was an apricot tree full of the sweetest ripe fruit, they said help myself, they were so nice.
I decided to stop here for a couple of days just to rest up and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere here. There was also a small swimming pool.
The internet even worked with some speed.
10-13/12/2015  Nuwerus, Hardeveld lodge Strandfontein Municipal Camp Ground
D85,   50,265 14,367
Sou westers
Before leaving here this morning, I said to Kobus that it would be great to come back should reasonable accommodation not be found in Lamberts Bay.
I took a full load of the sweet rainwater from the tank. The gravel began about 1km from town.
The road was easy riding, though there were some soft patches, in one of these I nearly came off.
At the intersection with the tar, my rear tyre was found to be going down so a repair was made here.
There were little road runner tortoises on the road in quite a few places. I stopped to take them off the road. Some ore trucks were using the road, these little tortoises had no chance.
Another flat tyre was repaired just outside Lutzville, again burs were the cause. Once in Lutzville, a stop was made at the Engen gas station. Here a few pies and drinks were enjoyed. There were coloured children outside the shop who were very annoying asking for money all the time. I said to the guy behind the counter to tell them to leave me alone. He said they were on drugs and alcohol. It was a sad situation.
On leaving some 3km out of town, low and behold my rear tyre was flat again. Luckily I had bought lots of this brand of patches called Tip Top in Windhoek.
They are a German patch and adhere perfectly to the tube.
The road from Lutzville was dead straight and climbed very slowly. By now the afternoon wind had picked up and was head on. The landscape was featureless.
There were absolutely no opportunities for camping. It was quite difficult cycling into the relentless wind. Then surprisingly the coast came into view. A small town could be seen in the distance.
I got here to a tidy line of Chilean date palms leading into the town.
It was the holiday village of Strandfontein. It was easy to see it was a holiday area for white South Africans. The housing was modern and the town very tidy.
Once in the bayside community I went to the municipal campground and spoke to some campers. I stopped and chatted with them and enjoyed a beer. They told me to go down to the foreshore camp area.
 Here a vacant site was found. The people next door said it was fine to camp there.
The campground was so much like NZ campgrounds in summer. People were settled in for xmas with children in groups and everyone in a very relaxed holiday state.
The big difference was that many of the sites had shade cloth fences around them for privacy. The South Africans love their camping and have everything that open and shuts at their campsites. I feel they are even better equipped than Aussies. The camper trailers and off road set ups here are so well designed.
It was the kind of campsite where people had friends here who they saw once a year and enjoyed it immensely.
The woman next door said I could use their ablution room, so a great shower was enjoyed.
I cooked up a great pasta, that a few people mentioned they could smell.
The campsite overlooked a beautiful bay with blue water. There was only one or two people in the water.
The ocean here is very cold due to the Benguela current, this northward flowing current carries very cold upwelled water from 200-300m depths in the Atlantic ocean along the west coast of South Africa. This current plays a huge role in all the weather and landscape in the west of South Africa and Namibia.  
The evening air was even quite cool but very comfortable compared to the hot airs just close by at Nuwerus.
 
14/12/2015  Strandefontein to Lamberts Bay
D51, T3.2, Av14.51, max37,   50,316 14,333
Sou westers
I had the usual breakfast, though before getting out of the tent, a man whom I had briefly met last night from the other camp next door came over to say hi. Napoleon had a 2010 bottle of Cab Sav as a gift. This was very kind of him.
Once I was up we had a chat. I told him I was looking for a flat or some similar accommodation in Lamberts Bay till after the new year.
He gave me the number of his son in laws father in Lamberts Bay.
The road from here took me to Dorinbaai, here was a winery right on the rocks at the waters edge. This is apparently the closest winery in the world to the ocean, I would believe it, any closer and it would be in the water.
Before getting here, a small wounded antelope limped from the bushes on the roadside. It was a beautiful little animal with huge ears for collecting sound.
It went a short distance and stopped. Sadly, it would son become Jackal food. Even sadder is that these animals mate for life. It was a Red Duiker.
 The coast here is lined with kelp along the shores.
From here, the road took me along the gravel road that followed the rail track. It is closed to public cars.
This was great riding along here with very few vehicles. A huge train passed, it must have been 3km long and had empty wagons. It was used for hauling iron ore and was an electric system.
As usual, the sou westers impeded movement somewhat. The good thing about them they are always cool coming off the Atlantic that is so cold due to the Benguela current.
On arrival in Lamberts Bay, a visit was made to the information office. Here, I asked after accommodation that was not really holiday lodging. Sheena the girl there was really helpful. She phoned around and found an elderly lady that had aself contained flat at the back of her house. Sheen guided me there. It was perfect, nice and quiet, fully self contained and ony 15 minutes walk from the Spar supermarket and the beach.
It was unreal to have my own little place and carry on like most other people do around a house. Especially cooking some different food.
 
15/12/2015-5/1/2016 Lamberts Bay
Fine days, windy afternoons and calm mornings
Up to 30°C, cool comfortable evenings
It was great to know that I could rest up here without a worry in the world for a few weeks. When travelling like this, easter and xmas always pose problems finding reasonable safe accommodation.
The town is a seaside resort with a permanent population. There are lovely beaches here and surfers ride a wave known as Yoyos my side of town.
After being here a couple of days, Napoleon rang up to see if I would like to spend a couple of days with him on the vineyard.
This was a great way to fill in a few days. I hitched over. We had a fun and interesting time together. He showed me through the winery and the wine making process. The evening was spent drinking his wine and eating goat off the braai.
I hitched back over without problems. It is about 60km to Vredendal. A visit to the dentist was also made.
There is a large crayfish fishery here. I enjoy being on the water, so wandered down to the docks to see if I could go out with one of the boats.
They safety officer said it was no problems.
On the Sunday at 1200, we headed down to Elands Bay to set the traps off the headland. There was a crew of five guys plus the skipper. It was great to be on the water.
We got in about 1700, it was arranged for me to be back on the docks at 0200 in the morning. I was here then and we headed out to lift the 48 traps. The place was thick with crayfish, all our traps had dozens in them. However, most were small and thrown back.
We ended up getting 600kg. On the way home, we cooked up a few fish and had a great nosh up of crayfish. We were back in the harbour by 0900.
 Ens, the skipper said he could take me down to Cape Town, there were some things I needed to do.
It was a four hour trip in his small ute.
He kindly took me to the airport where I wanted to find the exact cost of putting a bike on a flight to Istanbul.
Turkish Airlines turned out to be the most cost effective. Ben and Cal had to dump gear at Joburg airport because of the ridiculous excess baggage fees charged by Emirates.
A direct flight with Turkish Airlines was booked.
Back in the city, I bought a new camera, my old one has seen better days. It was bought over a year ago in Uruguay and used lmost every day since. So it has done well.
I gave the old one to Cara, Uris daughter. She has been using it relentlessly. This is great as it is worth nothing to sell.
After much research, a Canon G7X was bought. I t has a good sized sensor, a better zoom than its competitors and is still small enough to put in my pocket.
I also needed new thongs. These were bought down at Victoria wharf. Without promoting brands, the plain Crocs have lasted a year walking on some rough surfaces here in Africa and South America. The same style were bought. I also bought some lightweight leather Skechers that can be used cycling and worn-out.
My runners to were nearly worn-out. These were bought in La Paz a long time ago.
I stayed a couple of nights at the Cape Town backpackers.
A bus was caught back to Clan William and then I hitched back to Lamberts Bay.  
The ride in the bukkie from Clan William was hair raisng. The driver had three of us in the covered tray area. He was doing between 160 and 170km/hour.
I dare not look at the road. Though, the small glimpse I had saw straight roads and few cars. This eased my thoughts somewhat. After 40km, I was pleased to get out. A family picked me up from here and delivered me to the door at a much more respectable speed.
The next day Napoleon rang up to see if I would like to spend Xmas day with his family at Strandfontein in the campground. This was so kind of Annalise and him.
Their son in law Uri, was an arborist from the UK. I was looking forward to meeting him.
On Christmas eve about 1200, I headed off with some beer, a load of fresh corn, some wine and a few gifts.
It was nice to be riding with a tail wind for a change.
It took less than three hours to ride along the rail road.
Once over there I set my tent up on their site.
Two days were spent here with everyone. Christmas day was such a great time. Annalise and Omar cooked up such a lovely meal for everyone. Lots of great meats and salads.
It was such an enjoyable day. That afternoon Uri and I walked down to Oliphant River. It was a long walk along the beach north.
We walked along behind the dunes on the way back. It was an 8-10km stroll. It certainly burnt off all our feasting. A couple gave us a lift for the last two kilometres.
The next day I rode back to Lamberts. It had been just like a family xmas at home, such was the hospitality shown to me by Napoleon and everyone.
It was a leisurely ride back to Lamberts, I got a lift for the last 10km.
I took some brandy down to Ems on the James Archer. He was going to sea again on the Tuesday to pick up the traps.
I was down at the docks at 0200, there was quite a swell running. The catch was not so good but it was good way to fill in the day.
I was totally worn out when I got home and slept most of the day.
On the Wednesday before the new year we all had lunch at Isabellas on the water at the docks.. Napoleon had his combi micro bus out it was great cruising around town in this.
It was like we were out from a retirement village for an tour.
It was a long enjoyable seafood lunch. The company of Napoleon, Annalise, Uri, Deone Sean and Anilda with Omar has made my time here so enjoyable and kept any boredom away.
New years afternoon was spent on Bird Island looking at the Gannet colony and taking a few pics.
New Years Eve was spent in my little abode. I was very happy just to be here. There was no need to be with other people. I was very content.
The afternoon had been very still and consequently the next morning, new years day was shrouded in the sea fog.
 
 
 
 
 

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Typical terrain once out of the Orange River valley
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Third night SA, campsites are not always as desired. The road to Springbok offered few secluded sites.
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At Kobus lodge, Nuwerus, a must stop for cyclists. Between the birds, fruit fly and myself, the race to eat the most of these to die for Apricots was won by myself!!
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Strandfontein from Napoleons camp
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South Africans love their camping, here a brilliant foot friendly tent peg design used almost exclusively.
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Vredendahl is a wine producing area, a bottle of Napoleons brew he kindly gave to me. Stranfontein
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home cooked!! I was looking forward to a few weeks of my own cooking and even a bit of house work in my little flat in Lamberts Bay
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Busy tortoises at Napoleons place
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Really interesting that a Kudu can look up through the tunnel in his symmetrical antlers and see the white tip of the antler so he can direct it during sparring.
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This lovely little Red Diuker had been hit by a cayr and hobbled out of the roadside bushes. Sadly they mate for life. A Jackal will end his misery at some point. So many animals that get hit by cars just make it off the road and die in the grasses along side. These fate is revealed by the roadside smells as I travel.
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The iron ore train on the way to Saldanha
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My little mate at Lamberts Bay
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Napoleon and I had a great day just mucking bout at his winery.
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Napoleons Boerbull, incredibly powerful dogs, me a bit hungover from a late night and good wine at Napoleons place
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Heading down to Napoleons and Analises for Xmas day. My panniers were loaded with fresh corn some wine and a few gifts. Dooringbaai
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setting the pots off Elands Bay.
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Talented fishermen. Onboard entertainment for the passage back to port at Lamberts Bay.
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very early morning off Elands Bay with the cray fleet.
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Xmas day at Strandfontein with Napoleon and Analise and their family. Such an enjoyable time in great company.
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my campsite over xmas at Strandfontein.
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The Benguela current casting its spell on a calm Lamberts Bay morning
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Yuri, with his new pooper scooper. No this is what is used to move coals around the braai.
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It was great to have my own kitchen for a time.
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Yoyos , Lamberts Bay.
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Some 560kg of crayfish landed and back at port.
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I'm happy with my new Canon G7X camera. These compacts usually last about a year and a half due to constant vibration and dirt particles causing problems.
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view from my kitchen window, Lamberts bay. The iron ore train would cross the bridge in the background 3 times a day. it was maybe 2-3 km long.
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Gannet colony, aptly named,Bird Island Lamberts Bay
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Marine vacuum cleaners, part of the diamond fleet, Lamberts Bay
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northern beach, Lamberts Bay. The water due to the Benguela Current was freezing. About 10-12 degrees.
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Lamberts Bay new years day.
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Elands Bay, old fish processing facilities
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Bruno and Annick, good company for two days.
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Second to last day on the road after a year out from Cairo.
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