Transfer to Windhoek, Independence Museum -- 3/8

Today we got another African Massage as we drove to Windhoek, for our last night on the OAT part of the trip. We made a couple stops on the way and got to Windhoek mid afternoon. 

Solar Oven at pit stop

After we checked into our hotel, we explored the area and ventured to the nearby Independence Museum. They are normally closed on Sunday, but Abraham got it opened and gave us a comprehensive tour, sharing the Namibian's fight for their independence. From being taken over by Germany, they went to being controlled by South Africa and there was little freedom for the original inhabitants. In the 1970s, with backing from China, Cuba, and Angola, they started the fight for independence as SWAPO: South West Africa People's Organzation. They were finally successful in 1990. Despite the backing of Communist countries, their leaders were dedicated to establishing a democracy, which they did successfully. 

The Museum

Enslaved natives

Freedom fighters

Above and below: views of Windhoek 
from the Museum restaurant at the
top of the building.

Afterwards, we had our farewell-from-the-trip dinner. While most people were getting ready to fly home, Sandy and I were focused on our 2-day adventure at the Cheetah Conservation Foundation reserve. 

Explore the Area Around the Lodge, Magical Dinner -- 3/7

 Today was less intense activity than usual. We walked to a nearby settlement and a camp ground, and met some of the local people. We looked around a souvenir shop in the village, pictured below. 

In the late afternoon we went on a 'game drive' and had a happy hour, then dinner in the bush. The area here is pretty flat with a small mountain range. The scenery was pretty interesting, but there really weren't many animals. 

The rocks in the foreground made me think 'Aha! 
dinosaur poop!,

We stopped for what I thought was our bush dinner, but actually only the appetizers. We enjoyed them and watched the sunset before proceeding to dinner, which was the big surprise.

An elaborate setting greeted us at dinner....there were lanterns leading the way and our formal table with fabulous lighting really set the stage for an impressive sendoff from the desert.

Explore Sossusvlei Dunes and Sesriem Canyon: 3/6

 Today we went out to the dunes, with the possibility of walking to the top of one called Big Daddy. Sandy and I came prepared with hiking poles fitted out with large sand baskets, which proved very useful. The rule of thumb is to walk in someone else's steps because the sand is more compressed there, but that was really tough to do. 

Next to Big Daddy is an area called the Deadvlei. Vlei means marsh. A long time ago, there was a lot of water in a sand depression and trees started to grow for many years. Eventually, the water evaporated and the trees died and got scorched in the desert heat. It now looks like kind of a petrified forest, and it was our first objective. I had this (crazy!) idea of trying to climb Big Daddy, but boy is it BIG up close and personal! I quickly found that my fitness level, even with my hiking poles, was barely enough to get me to the crest of a small dune that allowed me to see the Deadvlei. I stood at the top for a while, and then walked down some, but not all the way. Trying to summit Big Daddy might have killed me. 

Springbok

Big Daddy. You walk up the crest 
on the side the wind formed (right,
in this case) and sort of slide down
the softer side. The lower area
behind the fence(?) is about the height
of the dune leading to the Deadvlei.

View of the Deadvlei

My friend Sandy was the only one in our group of 16, including at least 3 people who had a legitimate capability to make it to the top, who actually did it. She said the scary part was coming down, where you sort of slid and because of the angles, you couldn't see the entire hill.

I made it back to the picnic area and waited with a few others for the more adventurous folks to return.

Oryx

Springbok

Magpies

Later that afternoon, we visited a small section of Sesriem Canyon. It was carved out by a river and was an important source of water for natives. The name means 6 belts, referring to the length of the rope needed to draw water.

Guinea hens. Not the smartest birds

Above and below: Ostrich