Finally made it in to Namibia after waiting out the torrential rains in South Africa and being torn away only by my refugee status after overstaying my visa.
Which is payable by a fine that is double what I had though it was.
Oops.
Anyways I am now writing this from Keetmanshoop, Namibia:
It’s the famous home of absolutely nothing, but the heat and humidity are a welcome change from Cape Town’s non-stop pouring rain.
My bike is completely overloaded with three spare off-road tires (2 rear, one front) and absolutely way too much crap.
Seriously.
Every time I stop it’s a herculean effort to keep the bike upright and god forbid I’m stopping in soft sand.
The bike looks like it was packed by a dozen one-armed blind kleptomaniacs, and my ridiculous off-road riding gear makes me look like a stormtrooper from the planet Stupid.
The evidence:
The scenery is beautiful, and at sunset and sunrise almost otherwordly, but long days in the saddle on a bike that keeps on dropping parts (if anyone sees the bolt for my right handguard somewhere, please let know, thanks) is tough.
I’m definitely going to need to toughen up a bit.
More on Namibia shortly - here’s some pics in the meantime:
4 responses so far ↓
1 lois // Jul 15, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Hi Matt,
How much was the fine, and how long did you overstay? When will the So African authorities allow you to return now?
That’s some payload. Good thing it is winter, or you might get heat stroke. I guess you really need that third tire or you would not have taken it.
Don’t be leaving bolts wherever you go—can’t use baggie ties to hold the bike together.
Remember, if the going gets rough, you have nothing to prove to anyone (except yourself), and you will still have quite a tale to tell your grandchildren. “Toughen up” maybe, but toughness is not necessarily a virtue.
Love,
Lois
2 Matt // Jul 17, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Fine was 1000 Rand; payable within three days. But the border folks told me I could pay it on re-entry and I’d be fine. I am in Windhoek now and will pay it tomorrow at the SA embassy or immigration office or whichever of the 27 lines I have to stand in.
3 Corinne // Jul 17, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Hi Matt,
Actually, I thought you were heading north and not returning to SA. Is this still your plan? I looked up Windhoek on Google and found out that Namibia was a German colony for many years, which was news to me. Shows how little I know parts of Africa!
What differences have you found notable between South Africa and Namibia?
Happy trails!
Love,
Aunt Corinne
4 Matt // Jul 18, 2008 at 11:41 am
Namibia is very different than SA - much more rural and less developed, and much more high desert - imagine Namibia as Nevada and Montana and South Africa as California.
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