We cross into Namibia

 

May 1^st

Last night's Braai was cooked by team 1, Kathy, Helen, Annette and Tracy. They fed us burgers, sausages, jacket spuds and salad stuff, and there was even a huge bowl of grated cheese. Gosh someones arm must have ached doing all that grating! Anyway, not all the coals or firewood had been used last night, so this morning, early, both of us headed down to the bar with a wheelbarrow which we had found behind the facility block, to bring what was left back to the motorhome for when it's team 2’s turn. I'm included in that as well as Gill, Maureen, and Karen. Not sure what we will be cooking, but kababs have been mentioned.

We would leave Botswana today and cross the border into Namibia. Once again Kobus advised us to hide any fresh meat or dairy as the fridges would be searched. Only three vans would travel in convoy to the border, as the majority of our party was going out on a dugout canoe on the Okavango River. Both of us had thought about it, but decided we were not subtle enough to get in and out! So Kobus and Deidre, our host guides, Andy and Karen and us were the only ones to leave.

 

The border was only about 40 km away, and adding the 30km to the campsite, this was to be one of the shortest drives on the whole trip. At the Botswana border, we had to have tyres sprayed, and all shoes dipped. Then an official asked to look in the fridge. Nothing was found, of course, because we had once again utilised the hidey hole under the sink. A short drive across no man's land, and we reached the Namibian border post. Here, passports were shown and paperwork completed. A fee had to be paid for road tax, and it all depended on weight. Would you believe we were 100 kilograms over the limit for this size vehicle, and so had to go into the next weight costing heaps more cash! Anyway, after about an hour, we were free to go.

I keep moaning about the roads, but for 20km, we had nothing but dirt and ridges to contend with. Talk about being shaken, and I really expected something to break inside the van. We found out later from our fellow travellers that three of the vans had cupboard doors fall off, including Ryan, the accompanying mechanic!

Next stop was Popa Falls campsite, which is near Divundu. Instead of turning into the campsite, we continued to the town, where a supermarket to stock up on meat, etc. was found. But, shock horror, no liquor store open. May 1^st was a public holiday, so Saturday was the only time we could buy booze. Sundays, the stores also don’t open, it's a good job tomorrow is ‘do your own thing’ day. My plan was to handwash the bedding and other bits and pieces, and to give the floor of the motorhome a darn good wash! It really needs it, but now we have to go shopping again! Anyway, back at the campsite, we could choose our site. A lovely one was found in the shade with electric for the AC. 

 

The falls beckoned, and we set off to find them after lunch. The Falls was more like a white water rapids, but it really mattered not as the location was just idyllic. 

 

We were offered drinks at the reception and decided on fruit juice called quava. OMG, it was heaven, cold and very thirst-quenching. A bar was mentioned a bit further along the river, so we had to go and find that. A bit of a walk, and I don’t know if it’s a place to walk to in the dark, but here both Ian and I had a beer.

 

The rest of the day was for chilling and enjoying the peace and quiet of this place. I think we might even get the card game 5 crowns out tonight, with a glass or two of veno, of course.

And today's photos,

The Kavanga River