Orange River / Augrabies Falls

February 8^th, 2002

In the morning we leave Twee Rivieren and head towards Upington, were we do some shopping. After noon we take the N14 to Augrabies. On our way we have the fifth flat tire of our route which we get repaired for just 10 Rand. In the late afternoon we get to the Augrabies National Park where we rented a bungalow for the night.

In the evening light we explore the fantastic water falls of the Orange River which falls 60 Meters in roaring thunder. Later we relax at the pool before we get us some delicious dinner at the park's restaurant. They serve us Warthog and Ostrich steak and Springbok goulash.

February 9^th, 2002

Unfortunately we have to drive on today as we have to be in Vioolsdrif in the evening. The park offers a lot more than the falls which are worth going there anyway. We follow the N14 westward and have lunch in Springbok. An hour later we get to Vioolsdrif where we cross the border to Namibia again but then - with the border control's approval - return to South African shore of the Orange River to the camp where our canoe trip starts. In the late afternoon our tour guides Craig and Pike do the same with the other 11 people of the canoe trip but then we paddle back to the camp from the Namibian border. In the evening we relax in the camp while Craig and Pike serve us a wonderful braai.

February 10^th, 2002

In the morning we have a quick breakfast, then we load the canoes. We get a cooling box with a block of ice for each canoe for beverages and fruit. We paddle to the middle of the Orange River and let us drift for most of the time. The water level is 1,20 meters above normal and we have to paddle hardly at all. Some kilometres downstream we stop for lunch which means Hotdogs and potato salad. After a siesta we get back onto the river and reach our campsite for the night after 27 km. We enjoy just being here while Craig and Pike prepare a stew with minced meat and pasta. For a digestive they get us a Orange River San Pedro (Whisky, vanilla ice cream, sugar, chocolate sauce and coffee). After sunset we see a lot of shooting stars before we crawl into our tents.

February 11^th, 2002

After French toast for breakfast we pack our stuff and do a little more drifting on the Oranje. Around noon we stop for lunch where this time we have fresh made pasta salad with sardine and pineapples. We rest there for a while before we paddle on. In the early afternoon we already reach our next camp site after about 30 km.

For supper Pike and Craig cook lamb roast with potato puree and garlic bread. We have wine and cider and keep on talking until late this night.

February 12^th, 2002

After toast, eggs and bacon we get onto the river again. We paddle down some rapids an stop right behind them to swim them down again with just our life vests as floating device. Today it's so hot again that we let us drop into the water from time to time just to cool down a bit. In the afternoon we stop and get a ride back to the camp with a big truck that carries all the canoes as well. Back in the camp we all take a refreshing shower a take a sun downer on a nearby rock - with sun set view.

Later back in the camp we have a last but most tasty braai. For desert there is plenty of apple strudel with vanilla ice cream. We spent a hilarious evening und stay up until late.

February 13^th, 2002

We get up early and pack our stuff. We head southwards to Springbok again where we have a breakfast feast. The following hours we drive all the way down to Cape Town again where we stroll around Green Market and do some shopping in the Waterfront. In the evening we drive to Stellenbosch where we want to sty overnight, but all backpackers are booked out already. So we spent some money on staying in the Stellenbosch Lodge, quite a luxury experience. For supper we have fish and calamari at the Fishmonger, a fish restaurant chain.

February 14^th, 2002

After a big breakfast from the lodge's buffet, we do some errands and get the car cleaned up a bit. Around noon we head to the airport where we return the rental car after a total of 7000 km. A last lunch in the airport's restaurant then we have to do the check in. Geraldine will stay another few days to finish her practical work for her diploma thesis. Steffen and Gudi take a different flight to Johannesburg from where we take the same flight back to Frankfurt. 5am on February the 15^th we are back home. Behind lies a wonderful trip that left us with numerous impressions and countless pictures in our heads. Even though we did quite a tour there is so much more to explore in South Africa / Namibia, but there has to be something for the next trip.... ;-))

Steffen	Gudi	Geraldine	Thomas