Ai-Ais Resort And Camping

At the end of Fish River Canyon is Ai-Ais Resort, a wonderful hot water spa and fitting end to our long Namibian odyssey. The hot waters have never felt so soothing. September 24th.

Near the end of the canyon

There's the original spring, 65 degrees C, an outdoor pool at
about 27 degrees C (tepid; for Germans), and the two indoor
luxury pools, both at 37 degrees C, just about body temperature,
just about right

Two of these in the nice hotel building; I should have taken
more pix, especially of the woman in the gold thong bathing suit

Our encampment, right on the river; separated from us by gabions

How others travel Africa

The original hot water spring at Ai-Ais: no entry: 65 degrees C

Fish River Canyon

The canyon of the Fish River is said to be the third largest in the world, after the Grand Canyon in Arizona and Colca Canyon in Peru. It is indeed very deep and very long, supporting a major multi-day trek, which, I suspect, we will never do. Fish River is nonetheless one of those things you must see in southern Africa. We had seen both the Grand Canyon and Colca in the past year or so and we were not as impressed with it as others. Fish River Canyon could use more ochre, more reds and yellows, if you ask me. Plus you don't get the never-ending-but-colorful-abyss sensation from just the one viewpoint. FWIW. September 24th.

One of our better selfies

Thanks, Dave

We never traveled together, but we often got to the same places together

The trek: not a casual undertaking

The dreaded symbol for washboard roads returns

As we drive on to the major oasis at the end of the canyon: Ai-Ais: the Place of
the Burning Waters

En Route To Fish River Canyon

Another early start

Shards of our severed hand-brake, which Donnie had replaced by 7AM

Fine road...bliss

"Moving right along..."

Wild passenger trains

But the pavement gives out...at this point, however, with much increased
confidence, we are throwing caution to the wind and are relatively blasting
down the gravel roads

The Canon General Store, a lunch stop of note

The usual decor of rusting wrecks

But inside a bit of an automotive museum

To Luderitz And Back Again

I wanted to see the sea again, and Vicki had a suspicion that the art nouveau architecture we missed in Swakopmund might actually be in Luderitz. If nothing else, the drive, a 200k round trip, afforded us an opportunity to stay in air conditioned comfort and also see a real desert storm.

There are herds of wild horses in the area...interestingly adapted
to the conditions

Also the usual

Stay in you car! All this land is owned by De Beers, and they
don't want you out hunting for diamonds on their property!

Ghastly scenery

One of the more stark picnic sites in Namibia; fenced in, too

Wind really blowing, visibility decreasing

Approaching Luderitz, here's a town that has been abandoned
due to the engulfing winds and dunes

In Luderitz now

The architecture is sort of German

Next harbor south

Luderitz harbor

Mostly fishing, containers

After an hour, we were ready to return to scenic Aus

Same sign, different direction

Abandoned town again