On Friday, August 5th we finally received with Milady (see Misery with Milady).
Because I (GJ) also still have to see the dentist on Tuesday (see the dentist in Walvis Bay) we changed our original itinerary. So we decided to go to Sossusvlei and back in the weekend, a nice test drive for Milady.
We left early Saturday morning 6-8 at Tiger Reef campsite in Swakopmund. That is, first we had breakfast in town and buy some last things. We have already filled up the car yesterday.
The first leg of the journey is very varied. We start on an asphalt road, but soon it becomes a dirt road, wide enough for a large two way street. We pass a lot of Nissan Patrols and Toyota Hyace bakkies equiped with roof tents, all tourists who have already been in Sossusvlei.
Along the way we spot our first game-animals, zebras, oryx or gemsbok, ostriches and gazelles or impalas, we have not decided yet.
To Solitaire, where we want to camp the road is pretty good, though there is some corrugation-degradation of the road.
The camping where we had thought to camp is full, we actually do not book ahead. Fortunately, there is still place in the Solitaire settlement on the site. We eat the menu of the day in the restaurant, steak and king clipper (fish) with a nice bottle of white wine.
The next day 7-8 we have an early breakfast at the restaurant and ride at 8am. We fill up the tank as the car consumed much yesterday, it was hot and lots of uphill.
The road to Sossusvlei is good to drive, but sometimes severely damaged by corrugation. Also, it is very dry so you already see oncoming trafic from far through the dust clouds.
At the gateway to the Sossusvlei reserve we are referred to the reception where we register ourselves for the ride to the valley and a night at the campsite.
The road to Sossusvlei is paved and easy to ride. At the end is a parking lot where shuttle-cars bring people who cannot continue through the sand with private transport (4×4) to the foot of the dunes. We ride of course.
The dunes are fantastic and remind us strongly of Morocco.
We walk a bit into the dunes and decide to picnic a little further with Milady. A mishap with the jam jar (thanks Lara) provides a feast for the weaver birds.
We drive back and set up our tent, we expect Astrid and Jurjen with daughters and sons will also be camping on this site. When dusk falls, and that is quite fast here, we look at the campsite. We find them and are welcomed dumbfounded. We drink a glass of wine and a beer and Sonja and I go to eat at the restaurant. Later we drink more beer and wine and we exchange experiences. Really nice to meet them here.
The next morning we get up early to make some kilometers. Sonja notes that the car tilts and I check the suspension (see Misère with Milady). I decided to consider the damage while we drive to Solitaire. There we eat the traditional apple pie, that is I eat apple pie and Sonja piece of quiche. We decide to stay here to carry out the necessary repairs.
On Tuesday 9-8 at 7:00 we depart from Solitaire with a fresh Milady. The ride goes smoothly, a small fuel problem solves itself. This incidentally gives a some Italians in a Nissan bakkie the opportunity to share their enthusiasm for the beautiful Land Rover Series, our Milady Landy.
We have plenty of time in Walvis Bay for a coffee at 4ourty-4ours and a final farewell
to Mandy and Nik at Sharaf Shipping. Then off to the dentist.
Ultimately we leave at half past four from Walvis Bay to go to the camp in Swakopmund.