Namibia, a latent feeling of being in some part of Europe arose. It was 22nd of February. Unlike most of the part in Africa, Namibia portrays itself as a well planned, sophisticated and a developed nation. After entering from Gobabis, I had some time to spend at Windhoek-the capital.

The splendid time at Backpacker Unite started with a warm welcome and a warm coffee. Regular work of visa processing and preparation continued before 1th of March.

1st was friday when Herman took me to the Namib desert and Bay harbor to feel the magnificence of the ‘Land of Endless Horizons’. For the precious moments of life, I dont have any words to thank him.

The Namib Desert is often referred to as the world’s oldest desert and has been in existence for some 43 million years, remaining unchanged in its present form for the last 2 million years. The Namib is an immense expanse of relentlessly moving gravel plains and dunes of all shapes and sizes that stretch along the entire coastline.

The surprising presence of flora and fauna in the desert is fascinating. It is made possible with the unique natural phenomenon like river flowing unexpectedly across the desert, and foggy coast. Evidence of humans living in the Namib through time extends back to the early stone age era. A range of animals like black backed jackal, brown hyena and spotted hyena, cape fur seal pups, breeding birds, mountain zebra, capefox, gerbils, steenbok and a healthy population of leapord are also resident. Other reptiles include lizards and geckos, sand snake, scorpions, spiders, fishmoths and beetles that have adapted over centuries to survive in the dune dynamics of the desert.

Vegetation and wildlife are seemingly scarce in any desert and this is one of the most harshest environments in Namibia. Over the harsh topographic and climatic constraints, fascinatingly the southern Namib is home to over 600 species of plants, the central Namib 400 species and some 1,000 species in the northern Namib.

When we reach The Namib desert the time was near the noon. The temperature did not affect our enthusiasm and since it was also difficult to enter the desert with shoes on, we were bare footed. Despite the hot sand felt like it would burn our feet, it was a rewarding experience to feel the unique desert.

I had my bags packed ready on 5th of March, Tuesday. On wednesday (6th) I woke up early in the morning at 5. It was a great support of Nathan that he helped lighten by bicycle by taking my tailor and some belongings to Angola with him. I had only my bicycle with few belongings.

The first day, I pedaled 71 Kms to Okahandja. It was a difficult route to take in the middle of the desolate jungle with numbers of wild animals to accompany. Most of the time, I cycled peacefully with the smooth tides and the spectacular Natural beauty of Namibia. It would have been much smoother if the automobiles could have some caution to other things than themselves on the road. Most of the time when a vehicle passed by I felt like I almost get blewed by the wind they pass to me. In the huge country with so few population as 2 million, I also felt as if the automobiles are equal the number of people. Also, a lot of wildlives were seen dead and badly hit by those automobiles. I request for all the drivers to have caution on the road to protect the wildlife of one of the world’s most nature loving country.

Thursday, the 7th, sizzling heat was one of the key problem of the road. The second day of leaving windhoek, I had to travel 180 KM of desolate land. At 1-30 in the afternoon, I got sort of water. I was thirsty and needed some water. So, one empty bottle on my hand and another in my mouth, I was waiting someone to help me. I had no option too. A vehicle stopped some meter ahead of me and reversed. I was suddenly happy to know that he has stopped to give me some water. As I have wrote about the benevolence and friendliness of Namibian people, this incident bought upon a deep respect and intimacy to Namibian. After Windhoek, I got the most friendly and closest company in Helao Neifidi. Pieter Ferreira helped me a lot to stay in his Namgola Truck Park. Each moment with him was pleasureble and it was a very good time spent with him. I am grateful to everyone for the wonderful friendship and cooperation during my whole trip. Thanks a lot.

Among the good things in Namibia, one of the very good one is, on the road we -could easily find some place to take some rest and have some water on it. The next day was no different. After I left Tsumeb, the problem of water was there too. In the hot weather, I felt the water as if it is boiling. Drinking the hot water did not reduce my thirst but increased the temperature of my body more. Luckily before I would get very exhausted, I found a place to rest where I was able to cool down the water to a drinkable level.

On adventurous tour from Windhoek to Helao Nafidi I travelled through Okahandja, Otiwarongo, Tsumeb, Oshivelo, Onyati all of which were wonderful places. Meeting wildlives in their home environment was the most wonderful experiences. A lot of animals like baboons, warthogs greeted me welcome. Pedaling in Namibia is completely like pedaling inside a national park so every moment was worth the tour, I enjoyed every second on the journey.

Peace and Harmony

Furtemba Sherpa