THIRST
It was sweltering hot. Looking at the horizon of the harsh Kgalagadi landscape one could see the mirages in the distance. The hood of the vehicle burnt me as I put my hand down on it. I swallowed, but the throbbing thirst was embedded in my throat. I got new respect for the San people [...]
That first time
By PG Jonker Having visited the Epupa falls with our Toyota Venture many years ago, we liked the taste of the remote travel. However, I then decided that, for my own peace of mind, I should rather do such trips in a four wheel drive vehicle. So I started looking for a 4×4. Finding one is a [...]
Namaqualand National Park – Easter 2012: Part 1
By PG Jonker PART 1 “Koringkorrelbaai? You mean there’s really a place like that?” “Ja, man. That’s where the Germans dropped Robey Leibbrandt off with the submarine.” “Genuine? Wow! Who’s Robey Leibbrandt again?” Sigh. “Aag, never mind, just get your camping gear ready for Easter weekend, ok? And by the way, Leibbrandt was actually [...]
Namaqualand National Park – Part 2
Friday, 6 April Departure from Boulderbaai Unfortunately we were not able to book Boulderbaai for the full duration of our stay. We only had it for one night. So, on day two we have to pack up and move camp to Varswaterbaai. We awoke to a wet Namakwaland. A few showers fell during the night [...]
Namaqualand National Park – Part 3
Leaving Boulderbaai Departing from the caves we still short one member of our group. Thomas has not arrived. Maybe we have to get used to not travelling along with Thomas. It sounds a bit like that song of the chap that had to get used to not living next door to Alice anymore. [Thomas! Where the [...]
Namaqualand National Park – Part 4
Thomas’ story By the time we get to the coffee we got Thomas and Marienka to give us a more detailed version of their story. Thomas made it to “Soft Sand 4×4 Only”. The first part went fine. Then he got to the second part where we let our tyres down. At that time Thomas [...]
Namaqualand National Park – Part 5
Sunday, 7 April To Lambertsbaai After two nights at Varswaterbaai we had to pack up. Now we are heading for Malkopbaai, Lambertsbaai. Past Kwassebaai is another stretch of pretty thick sand. At places the tracks have become fairly deep, to the extent that it would be difficult to just hop out of the spoor should [...]
The Luggage Monster
One of the ladies in the Golden Girls TV Sitcom series always used to say: “Picture this, Sicily 1943,” before going on to relate a story. Nou ja, picture this, Namibia 1999. We’re on a 5800km trip with our Venture, then with a family of four. It was great. The Venture had lots of space, [...]
The case for bull bars
I have often wondered about the frontal accessories on off-roading vehicles. There seems to be quite a variation of these. Nudge bars, bull bars, whole rebuilt frontal areas, bull bars with cradles for whinches. It seems like a science on its own. Visiting websites that specialises in 4×4 accessories I found that you get custom made [...]
Doing the Canca Fynbos 4×4 Eco trail – well, almost…
By PG Jonker Having previously done the Vleesbaai 4×4 route (and in the process causing substantial damage to his vehicle), brother Johnie decided this year’s visit to Gouritsmond calls for a different 4×4 route. After consulting publications on the issue it turned out that the Canca Fynbos Echo 4×4 route is just around the corner [...]