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Thursday, August 31st, Hobas, Southern Namibia
This is Hobas, a small campground about 10Km from the Northern entry point for the stream of hikers who head off down the Fish River Canyon in this desolate Southern end of Namibia. After Ai-Ais, this is really a welcomed change, and a very pleasant place to simply chill out and maybe read a book, an Economist or catch up on some schoolwork (?!)
There are two overland outfits here, one going North, the other South. This seems to be quite a central location for dropping in at. This is the starting point for the Fish Valley hike, and apart from a few interested bystanders, we saw no one actually starting the hike, or even looking seriously at contemplating it. There are also a lot of other overlanding types here, but mainly local Namib registrations, fly in and explore types. Serious stars here, and just off to the North, a few stone statues, reminiscent of Inuit Inucshoucs spot the desert. Arty stuff?
This town appears to survive solely as a trans tourist place. At the tourist office, the guy was good enough to phone Windhoek to book for us at Ai-Ais "fully booked" we are told. In Springbok there are lots of guesthouses - we got a really good one with 3 bedrooms, 2 TV's, 1 bath, large kitchen and dining room ($CAN 62.00 including taxes), and allowed Ilge to have pasta ("I've had enough meat!"). 29th August, and we finalise our camping and evening braiing bits, try the internet office in town (line
down), and arrive at the border at 12:00AM. Once again, easy passage, and surprise, here at this border
post with a population of 20, is a VAT (GST anyone?) refund office! Well, get out the receipts, and
one hour later we have an electronic refund for everything from salt ($CAN0.15) to the roof box
($CAN800.00). Namibia is one hour behind SA - we make an extra hour. Onward to Ai-Ais, only 150KM away. Fairly serious desert roads, but we still travel at 90KPH. We expect to camp, but are told there is a lot of accommodation in flats. We'll take one, it's got air - it's not really necessary yet, but what the hell!, and a fridge - this is the luxury. After South Africa, this is definitely, half a star accommodation at 3 star prices, the guest book is full of praises from hikers, and complaints from non hikers. We move in and head off to the spa pool. 
Dinner is from a set menu that looks as if it's been there for 20 years. We eat and I am pleasantly surprised. Finally off to the pool, me to study the stars, kids splashing around again, then the jacuzzi in the spa and by 8:45PM local, we are all out like a light. August 30th. And we take in the pool, more or less all day. We probably deserve it! A few shots from the hills across the river, and we veg out. Just for a change, we braii our Springbok bits and off to bed again. This morning was a simple 100Km jaunt (Cruiser not liking being ignored for a day, had a farting start up again), and after a quick detour to the top of the Fish River Canyon trek start, and another one at the sulphur springs, we decide to take the day off. Distance travelled this entry: 900 Km. Distance moved on trip this entry: 875 Km |
The sun is setting as 
This is the first time we have actually camped since arriving in Africa. Apart from the (once again)
incessant dust, this is a great place to try out all of our camping equipment.
Our trip from Cape Town to Springbok on Aug 27th., passed pleasantly into a long cruise. We started
out at 8:00AM in totally 100% productive wine land, headed through country side that could have
been Sussex or Holland Landing, steadily downgrading the fecundity index, 
Springbok suddenly appears at 3:30PM - 550KM in 7.5 hours. With gas and lunch stops, not bad. 
