NAMIBIA 090912 More Tok Tokkie

Hello from the Nubuamis Equestrian Center at Brakwater, just north of Windhoek

We are here for a day of resting and reorganizing before we fly to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, tomorrow to meet Paula's daughter Titia. We have been in WiFi-free areas of western and northern Namibia, so I'll try to catch you up on what we have been doing.

I'll start with a little more about the Tok Tokkie trek. The best part of the hike over dunes and a mountain pass was to be outdoors and to sleep under the stars. OF course, dealing with sand was a feature of the two days, and to illustrate, I've included a picture of me dumping some of the red stuff out of my shoe and a picture of the terrain to remind you where we were walking.

We slept on cots in a heavy canvas bag with a duvet into which we snuggled with our hot water bottle and, on the second night, the poncho that was provided at dinner. Since our campsite was messier, I've included a picture of Roy and Charlotte in their "bedroom." We also ate al fresco, but we did not have to sit on a rock to eat or make our own meal. Two assistants to Chris took down our campsite after we left, drove to the next camping place and set up the camp, then cooked and served our meals, a bit like our teahouse trek inNepal. The "dining" picture is breakfast at out first camping site. Dick is on the right at the end of the table in the green T-shirt.

Along the way Chris explained the features that allow animals and plants to flourish in the intense desert environment, a place I found challenging to hike in = the temperature at our midday rest stop was 36 centigrade or 95-96 Fahrenheit, generally a temperature that sends me to the swimming pool rather than for a hike. In the picture you can see Chris in the foreground and on the other side of the shade tent Roy, Charlotte, and Dick at our afternoon siesta stop.

OUr last stop on this hike was at an environmental education camp where young people can learn about such basics as how much water they use to take a shower or flush the toilet and how much waste they create. They also demonstrated two kinds of solar cookers and how they make "firewood" out of old newspapers. Good knowledge for anyone.

We are all well and had an especially fabulous 3 days at national Park, the best wildlife viewing venue Dick and I have experienced.

I'll try sending this and if I succeed, 'll try another post after lunch.

Lots of love to all, Marian and Dick and Charlotte and Roy