The Great Africa Balloon Adventure - ATLANTIC OCEAN!

We have at last arrived at the Atlantic Ocean after a not uneventful drive from Windhoek!
And since we arrived at sunset Adam drove straight to the TUG bar on the beach and ordered drinks. The town is Swakopmund and offers further architectural surprises, and a simply magnificent opportunity to clean up, listen to the Atlantic breakers and ponder over why the brakes failed in the middle of a dramatic bit of rocky terrain where the road meandered alarmingly. After watching the brake fluid slowly emerge from the reservoir with the engine running, and then retreat when the engine was switched off, we applied our minds to the brake servo. That didn't get us anywhere, so we closed the bonnet, and set off gingerly only to feel the brakes reappear shortly afterwards. The other episode which livened up our departure from Windhoek was when we stopped for diesel on the outskirts of town. Adam monitored the man pouring in the precious fluid and Jess went off to buy supplies in the service station shop.
The loud music emerging from some loudspeaker drowned her cries for help and we understood why she reappeared very shaken and ashen faced as she told us how she successfully fought off not 1 but 3 muggers who grabbed her purse. One of the guys was the security guard! Jess is the one responsible for 'holding the folding' so we were relieved - and mightily impressed - at her diligence in regaining possession of all that loot!
It was the only example of violence we have witnessed in the whole trip so we were glad to leave that town behind. Hindsight tells me it would be wrong to tar the whole town with that brush - I do look forward to re-visiting Windhoek on our final leg, but we shall avoid the suburbs. On we went through ever changing terrain as we headed west towards the Atalntic. Adam's music all the time matching the mood generated by the surroundings. As we arrived at our destination I seem to remember some good classic '50s rock'n'roll!
The endless flat sand which eventually replaced the interesting rocky passes was beautiful in it's own unique way. But I'm glad we had music to fend off the monotony.
The temperature rose noticably and then dropped as we got to within about 50km of the ocean.I shall end this post with a happy positive mood as the Atlantic Ocean dominates this town, and I look forward to the next drive south to Sossusvlei which enjoys enormous sand dunes with which I associate Namibia. I am very much looking forward to these next 3 flights - I do hope the weather is kind. The end of the rainy season is playing games with the winds here.

Click images to view large version.

PS. I cannot end this description of our arrival in Swalkopmund with telling you about the swarm of American students in town. 750 of them - all on a 6 month tour of the world on a ship, financed by their universities. (ie from their fees). 70% girls 30% boys.

Comments

Lorna said…
Well done team. Jess is amazing, I agree... I would love to know how she did that!
Mum and Lindy are safely there, in South of France, cuddling baby Vita and playing princess games with Emma.
The Atlantic shots are beautiful.
16 February 2009 at 23:33
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