Re union Edit Michelle

20 October 2011

Leaving for Luanda and catching up with our 4 partners.

We set the alarm for 4 0’clock, not realising the power is a generator, so pitch dark and no coffee this morning.  We set off to Nzeto, the road was a beautiful tar road for 132km. Then we hit the VERY BAD ROAD.  By now we should be use to bad roads. Once again, all these bad roads are very much the same yet very different. This one had blind heaps that you couldn’t see and then bumps and more bumps for 212km. It took us 6 hours to drive to Luanda on this road.

As we enter Nzeto there was a Police check point.  As I said previously, there are many of them and they all look for 2 people. They take our papers and check by phoning their superiors to make sure we are not the WANTED PERSONS. Then apologizing and waving us on our way. I suppose they’re just doing their duty, that doesn’t take away the frustration for tourists.  On the other hand, once the Police officer was sure we’re not criminals, Hans asked him the way to Luanda. He couldn’t explain in English, only Portuguese. He showed Hans to follow him. There we were driving at a speed killing kilometres through Nzeto, following the Police Van.  We followed him for 5km. He took a couple of turns in different street, then stopped out of town and showed us to go straight.

Soccer Stadium at Luanda

At Luanda Hans asked a taxi driver the Circle route around Luanda. Usually it takes 6 hours to get through Luanda. We got on the Circle route, which takes you to the Bengeula connection. This is a 40 km road and it took us 40 minutes. The highway is in a perfect condition, without any potholes.

To Bengeula was 400km but the road was a tar road and we could go 100km p/h. After sunset we reach Bengeula, the GPS was set on ZULU RESTUARANT. Koos Moorcroft recommended the place to Hans. He said we can camp there and they have excellent food. He said the owner can speak English. That was the main reason why Hans wanted to sleep there, difficult to speak Portuguese. As always the GPS got lost with all the new roads. This time it was a one way confusing the GPS. Hans asked a man on a motorbike to take us to Zulu Restaurant. He was so thankful for the 500Qautshas Hans gave him. He drove off at a speed and Hans had to do his best to follow. He stopped at Zulu and left. Hans went in and then the Motorbike guy came from the back again. He stopped and asked if we’re okay. He really cared about our well being.

Soon we were parked in the garden with a security guard. We went for a nice Dinner, the owner didn’t want anything for the camping so Hans said then we’ll come and have Supper with them. Hans had a succulent Rump steak and Elisme a toasted tuna sandwich. The food was of a very high standard.

Soon they were showered and into bed. Tomorrow at 4 o’clock they must leave again.

Bengeula was getting busy at 4 o’clock in the morning. Hans was wondering how it will look at 8 o’clock. This time the GPS was not confused, it took us out of Bengeula and safely through Lobito. The road was a tar road and in a good condition for 120 km. Then the bad-to-worse-to-terrible road started up to Lubango.

Stephanus phoned to ask where we were. They were going to leave Lubango now for the Border town Ondigwa. Hans said we’re 200km away from Lubango, they couldn’t believe it.

After Lubango the road was once again in a perfect condition and we could reach a speed of 120km p/h. This is a record speed for Angola and its roads. 13h00 we received a sms from Coen saying they are stopping for tea. He reported that the road is under construction from Cahama and in a very bad state.

Hans and Elisme got to the bad road, this was the worst of all the bad roads we’ve had. Then you were on the tar, POTHOLES, then to the left side, off the road. The roller coaster went on, after 300m to the right side, then to the left again and so it continued. That was a stretch of 150km.

At last we reached a well maintained tar road that took us to ONGDIWA.

Hotel where the 6 members, reunion took place

Koos an Engineer working in Angola

Mariana in front of the hotel, a WHITE ELEPHANT???????

A life time lesson; Sea, Hear and Speak no evil!!!!!!!!!!! That was the the MOTTO for THE 6 MEMBERS
 Shanhaz texted that they were at the first Lodge, on the right side as you enter the town. They were having an ice cold beer on the stoop. We had a nice reunion after 10 days on our own.

For the Boys there was no other option other than a “Braai”, seeing that we can’t take any meat across the border. We had so much to tell, the conversation went on till late that night. Hans said he is going to Ruacana as we cross the border, but Coen asked he must continue to Tsumep. They all want to service their cars there, after the hard drive and bad roads.

 Breakfast was a feast:  fried eggs, sausages and a continental breakfast. Hans said he will go with to Tsumep; he could just as well service the Land Rover there. After all said and done, we left for the border crossing. That was another 55km of terrible road that took us 2 hours.

This was 2 of the easiest border crossing we have done during this trip. All the officers knew what they were doing and after 40 minutes we were in Namibia.

Tea time after Border Crossing, Safe in Namibia
I can’t explain this, but Namibia is just a relaxed country. We all felt as if we were home. No more Police stops and checks. The only check was the RED LINE CHECK for any meat or animal products. This is because of the foot and mouth disease.

The group wanted to sleep on a guest farm close to Tsumep. Hans started to phone, not one had camping available. Elisme couldn’t understand this, now she knows. They’re all close to Etosha Game Park, the accommodation in the park is very expensive and therefore guests stay outside the camp and go in as DAY VISITORS.

Sunset on our way to Tsumep

We got a camping place in Tsumep Kupferquelle. They said we can come if we can live with the BEAR FESTIVAL they’re having. We didn’t know who’s singing the loudest the Artists or the Frogs. That didn’t bother one of us, we all had a wonderful rest.Sunday morning was sorting out for all of us. Stephanus was packing away all the Portuguese wine Mariana bought and Coen was working on his RADIATOR. This was a headache for him the whole trip. Hans went too look for somebody to braise the cover plate he had torn on the bad roads. He got hold of Hannes and Oliver. Hannes did a perfect job and soon both wheels were back in place with their cover plates. Hannes helped Coen with his Radiator and that was fixed to.

Stephanus had a problem with the aircon, the smell was just unbearable. They checked and said it was something about a bearing, they will do it tomorrow.

Hans with his 'NEW PUNK LOOK'

Elisme had a last henna treatment from Mariana, but this time Shanhaz had to cover the strings with beads in her hair, so that they stay the same colour. That was an operation; Liana will be surprised to see how you do it in Africa. The end result was stunning. Hans was next, all his hair was going, he was getting to hot. Now he really looks 40 years old and with all the weight he had lost, Elisme has to look after her belongings.

Barbeque fireplace as a beauty Salon??????????

Stephanus and Mariana took us to the DROS which was on the premises for a late lunch. They really spoilt us rotten. We had so much fun, telling stories of the journey.

Stephanus spoil t us with our last Supper together at the Dros

Is this how a  'STEAK'  must look????????????
After a nice evening of talking and catching up, discussing what was good and what we will change on the trip if we do it again, we had tea and “MOSBOLLETJIE BESKUIT”  and off to bed.

Monday morning we all woke up early, everybody was packing. Stephanus and Mariana had to service the Land Cruiser at 7h45 and after that they will take the long road to Villiersdorp.

Coen and Shanhaz must service their Land Cruiser in Windhoek, they need special oil.

Hans will service the Land Rover after Stephanus, first he must get to the dentist for his broken tooth.

We all said our farewells and then each one left on their own way.

I really think this group of 6 complete strangers can put a feather in their hats. STEPHANUS, Mariana, 

Mariana and Elisme after 5 months together.

Hans and Elisme were together for 5 months doing Spain and Portugal; a total of 30,000km. Coen and Shanhaz joined them in CASABLANCHA for 4 months and a total of 25,000 km. They never had a serious difference and are departing as lifelong friends.

Coen and Elisme his hairdresser and still friends after 4 months
HANDS UP TO ALL OF YOU.  Elisme comments if she must choose partners again for such a complete safari, she will first ask them.

To sum up this 5 MONTH SAFARI will only be good advice for anybody who wants to attempt this voyage.

Next time a summary...

Keep following Hans and Elisme in Namibia, look at this photo. MORE TO COME

Waterhole at Namatoni in the Ethosa