Next stop...The Skeleton Coast (German: Skelettküste), the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean coast of Namibia and south of Angola from the Kunene River south to the Swakop River.
The Bushmen of the Namibian interior called the region "The Land God Made in Anger", while Portuguese sailors once referred to it as "The Gates of Hell".
The Skeleton Coast seems to be in a world of its own. Whatever the reason, this piece of land was created to be so entirely different from anywhere else that comparisons are invalid.
It is difficult to visualise a greater contrast than a desert alongside an ocean. Such a meeting of opposites occurs at Namibia's northern seaboard where the edge of the Namib Desert pushes a sea of hot sand into the frigid waters of the South Atlantic.
The
The attraction of this remote area lies in the colour, changing moods and untouched profile of its landscape. Its aura of mystery and mightiness is largely due to the dense coastal fog and cold sea breezes caused by the cold Benguela ocean current from the
The landscape ranges from sweeping vistas of wind swept dunes to rugged canyons with walls of richly coloured volcanic rock and extensive mountain ranges.
Most of the plant and insect species depends for their moisture on the thick for that envelopes the coast and hinterland, and in the northern edges of the wilderness, where there are rivers of sorts as well as underground water, birds and animals manage to survive and even flourish.
Adjoining the northern section of the
Wow! It is absolutely magnificent and breathtaking in its immensity. Rock stratas of purples, pinks and greys stretch along a 100-mile (161km) course. According to the San Bushmen the twists and curves were carved by the serpent, Kouteign Kooru, in an attempt to escape capture.
However, geologists say it was initially created by a fracture in the earth's crust 650 million years ago. Erosion and the action of glaciers then further deepened the canyon.
Absolutely breathtaking amazing view:-))
None of us felt fit enough to attempt the famous "Fish River Hiking Trail". The hike covers a distance of 54 miles (86km) over 5 days in the base of the canyon, with absolutely no facilities whatsoever. You have only what youcarry on your back and whatever water you can find in semi-permanent pools. Because of its arduous nature, the National Park's office insists on a
certificate of fitness before you are allowed to commence the walk.
Do you know what Namibia's national tree is?
It's the Aloe dichotoma or Quiver Tree and we saw several beautiful examples of these here. The trees can reach an age of about 300 years, and flowering occurs during wintertime from May to July.
Did you know that the figures at Twyfelfontein were created over the course of two thousand years, before 1000 AD
Most of these well-preserved engravings represent rhinoceros,elephant, ostrich and giraffe, as well as drawings of human and animal footprints and 6 rock shelters with motifs of human figures in red ochre.
The objects excavated from two sections, date from the Late Stone Age. The site forms a coherent, extensive and high-quality record of ritual practices relating to hunter-gatherer communities in this part of southern Africa over at least 2,000 years, and eloquently illustrates the links between the ritual and economic practices of hunter-gatherers.
Some of the figures notably the "Lion Man" depict the transformation of humans into animals.
Archaeologists have dug objects from two parts of the site including stone artefacts, pendants and beads.
Walking here gives is like travelling in a time machine.......
Durban Time
