Unfortunately I woke up at 4.30am (my usual time) and couldn't fall asleep again.
The air was icy and we had to wear lots of layers. Our tent was wet so we had to wait for some sun before we could zip it closed.
Today we need to find a memory card!
The sun was warm and we needed sunblock but the air was still very chilly. The landscape is dull and lifeless (no people). Some interesting mountains with flat ridged edges. We had a lunch break just outside of Keetmanshoop.
Aneekah was our personal concierge today ! (Thanks sis!) She googled info on the towns we were approaching. Option 1 was Mariental, but it turned out to be 'dood'. Though considered a big town, it really wasn't. This would have been the point we turn towards Gobabis, but we'd have to detour to Windhoek.
On route we excitedly awaited crossing the Tropic of Capricorn. The map we had didn't state the exact degrees and I reckoned it was around 23.5 – to confirm we sms'd the Harris' and they agreed. Marwaan followed the degrees on the GPS and as we approached he did a countdown (it was so sweet). At 23.5 degrees, we were on a single carriage way behind a truck and we couldn't stop. Overall it was a non-event besides my cry of “woohoo”. Soon after we decided to stop to make afternoon salaah and Masha'Allah what a beautiful spot, it was perfectly shaded by a huge tree. And then ? A couple of degrees further, 0.2 to be exact, we see a sign “TROPIC OF CAPRICORN” ! (oops ;-) ) A quick pullover and a cellphone photo of the kids at the sign and then onwards to Windhoek.
Throughout the drive we saw birds, but it was very difficult trying to figure out what they were – either we were driving to fast or they were too high – so we just guessed and made things up ! ;-)
Note to self : Do not look through binoculars while car is doing 100km/hr, you will feel dizzy. And certainly do NOT focus on the road no matter how bored you are !
The kids were reasonably well-behaved in the car and had plenty of activities, but the last 50km to Windhoek Muhammad got cranky.
We wanted to go the masjid and got a bit lost and couldn't find the one. Jamiela and Shakier sms'd us names of places we could overnight at (Shukran!) As we made our way towards one, we found the Islamic Center, Alhamdulillah. We were too late for Magrieb salaah. We made our salaah on our own – I had to go upstairs to a class room as the ladies section was locked. It was a lovely place and has great programs on (Marwaan took notes). We made our way to Arebbush lodge as it was reasonably close. On arrival I saw a hijaabi and while Marwaan got us a place, I went to chat. Turns out they are an Egyptian family who live in Namibia. Initially Marwaan got us a campsite, but when we drove around, we couldn't find an open spot so we took a self-catering room. It was perfect after an 11hour-long-drive-day! Not to mention the TV option for the 3 addicts! We had hoped for a shower, but there wasn't any hot water.
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