Einträge mit dem Tag ‘Namibia’

4×4 boffins around southern Africa have a philosophy, or theory (it depends), which goes something like this:

• You can (and many actually did) get to and experience most parts even in a VW Beetle
• You will usually need the 4×4 only for the last 50 meters, which you might as well walk
• Should something go wrong and/or should you encounter seriously challenging terrain somewhere along the route, any ‘ole 4×4 won’t be good enough
• If your vehicle and mainly your driving skills won’t live up to it, you are f***ed

As a desert lover and photographer, who obviously likes to take pictures in and of the desert (duhhh) amongst other subject matters, I want to be able to move in and around the desert, or rather, ANY KIND of desert. Namibia and southern Africa provide plenty of opportunities in that regard and more.

Low level in 210s - unbeatable

UN (WFP) ops in Angola

Having had the pleasure to see a large part of southern Africa from the air, I now want to experience it on the ground and close-up. Namibia, Botswana, Angola, Mozambique, Tanzania, South Africa, and so on and so on, live is too short (*sigh*). Simply crossing those countries and/or areas thereof will not suffice, there are certain locations and routes I have set my mind on going to and I am determined to go there on wheels.

The above mentioned objectives and goals obviously immediately eliminate the likes of any Soft Roaders, Crossover SUVs and whatever else is available on the markey today, which merely make it easier for soccer mom to attack curbs without having to worry about it.

No comment ;)

Yet another very important consideration is self-sufficiency, hence suitable amounts of water, food, electricity and fuel, sometimes for many days and kilometers, presenting a challenge for the vehicle, which has to carry all of the before mentioned - plus - occupants (in our case a family), their clothes, toys, etc. pp. you name it. That ticks off the likes of even most Full-size SUVs and double cab Bakkies, especially for us, who do not like either tents or roof-top tents, nor do we like camping “out-of-the-box”.

No comment ;)

On top of it all we appreciate some sort of comfort and safety together with the option to sleep in a comfy bed and/or to cook a pot of noodles without having to unpack half a ton of boxes, bags and stuff from the back of an SUV or Bakkie. Also, and I actually do understand women in that regard for once in a while, your own hygienic toilet and washing/showering facilities do make a difference, especially if easily accessed. This rules out anything that does not come close to some sort of cabin in the back.

Trailer, you say? I almost forgot to address trailers, and we actually where so close to buying one at some stage, I have to admit that the concept and convenience of a trailer is hard to beat. However, although I have listened to all the stories of off-road trailers having been schlepped up and down and through the bundus, which have done it “nooo problem” and even made it back home, I’m sorry I just cannot see a trailer towing vehicle covering hundreds of kilometers of gravel, rocks and bumps, the likes you encounter in Damaraland, never mind crossing a dry river bed or any other “patches” of heavy sand i.e. the Namib (?) Huh?.

Last but not least, I (yes, me!) get a hissy-fit if I have to look at the back of the same truck or bus for 300 kilometers. Usually in this part of the world, these guys go up the hill with 40km/h and down the hill with 140km/h. Overtaking them asks for good nerves, lots of horses and/or pre-planning of a one kilometer sprint on a 5 kilometer stretch. Yes, the journey is the destination, but every now and then you have to cover some distance and would appreciate arriving before midnight. This rules out all heavies which are usually limited to the same speed as the stinker in front of you together with recent years’ Defenders and their sodding under powered turbo-diesels (sorry guys - you know who ;). At least for now. Mayhap - or even most probably - once I’m old and grey and have too much money and time at hand, I will gladly tinker from Cape to Kairo while on a 17 year sabbatical.

LC70 Concept - deployed

LC70 Concept - closed

Sooo, where does that leave us? Well, for now it leaves us (our family) with exactly what we have chosen - a Toyota Landcruiser Bakkie which will in the very near future piggy-back a cabin and which is being converted to a 4×4 Camper, as we speak.

The decision to buy a new one was a no-brainer, because good second hand ones are a) not easy to come by and b) not that much cheaper then a new one. Plus - the new Landcruiser, amongst other niceties, comes standard with what had to be fitted aftermarket to the old one i.e. long range tanks, aircon, diff-locks, etc.

So far, so good, … so long,

Tommy

Share This

4×4 boffins around southern Africa have a philosophy, or theory (it depends), which goes something like this:

• You can (and many actually did) get to and experience most parts even in a VW Beetle
• You will usually need the 4×4 only for the last 50 meters, which you might as well walk
• Should something go wrong and/or should you encounter seriously challenging terrain somewhere along the route, any ‘ole 4×4 won’t be good enough
• If your vehicle and mainly your driving skills won’t live up to it, you are f***ed

As a desert lover and photographer, who obviously likes to take pictures in and of the desert (duhhh) amongst other subject matters, I want to be able to move in and around the desert, or rather, ANY KIND of desert. Namibia and southern Africa provide plenty of opportunities in that regard and more.

Low level in 210s - unbeatable

UN (WFP) ops in Angola

Having had the pleasure to see a large part of southern Africa from the air, I now want to experience it on the ground and close-up. Namibia, Botswana, Angola, Mozambique, Tanzania, South Africa, and so on and so on, live is too short (*sigh*). Simply crossing those countries and/or areas thereof will not suffice, there are certain locations and routes I have set my mind on going to and I am determined to go there on wheels.

The above mentioned objectives and goals obviously immediately eliminate the likes of any Soft Roaders, Crossover SUVs and whatever else is available on the markey today, which merely make it easier for soccer mom to attack curbs without having to worry about it.

No comment ;)

Yet another very important consideration is self-sufficiency, hence suitable amounts of water, food, electricity and fuel, sometimes for many days and kilometers, presenting a challenge for the vehicle, which has to carry all of the before mentioned - plus - occupants (in our case a family), their clothes, toys, etc. pp. you name it. That ticks off the likes of even most Full-size SUVs and double cab Bakkies, especially for us, who do not like either tents or roof-top tents, nor do we like camping “out-of-the-box”.

No comment ;)

On top of it all we appreciate some sort of comfort and safety together with the option to sleep in a comfy bed and/or to cook a pot of noodles without having to unpack half a ton of boxes, bags and stuff from the back of an SUV or Bakkie. Also, and I actually do understand women in that regard for once in a while, your own hygienic toilet and washing/showering facilities do make a difference, especially if easily accessed. This rules out anything that does not come close to some sort of cabin in the back.

Trailer, you say? I almost forgot to address trailers, and we actually where so close to buying one at some stage, I have to admit that the concept and convenience of a trailer is hard to beat. However, although I have listened to all the stories of off-road trailers having been schlepped up and down and through the bundus, which have done it “nooo problem” and even made it back home, I’m sorry I just cannot see a trailer towing vehicle covering hundreds of kilometers of gravel, rocks and bumps, the likes you encounter in Damaraland, never mind crossing a dry river bed or any other “patches” of heavy sand i.e. the Namib (?) Huh?.

Last but not least, I (yes, me!) get a hissy-fit if I have to look at the back of the same truck or bus for 300 kilometers. Usually in this part of the world, these guys go up the hill with 40km/h and down the hill with 140km/h. Overtaking them asks for good nerves, lots of horses and/or pre-planning of a one kilometer sprint on a 5 kilometer stretch. Yes, the journey is the destination, but every now and then you have to cover some distance and would appreciate arriving before midnight. This rules out all heavies which are usually limited to the same speed as the stinker in front of you together with recent years’ Defenders and their sodding under powered turbo-diesels (sorry guys - you know who ;). At least for now. Mayhap - or even most probably - once I’m old and grey and have too much money and time at hand, I will gladly tinker from Cape to Kairo while on a 17 year sabbatical.

LC70 Concept - deployed

LC70 Concept - closed

Sooo, where does that leave us? Well, for now it leaves us (our family) with exactly what we have chosen - a Toyota Landcruiser Bakkie which will in the very near future piggy-back a cabin and which is being converted to a 4×4 Camper, as we speak.

The decision to buy a new one was a no-brainer, because good second hand ones are a) not easy to come by and b) not that much cheaper then a new one. Plus - the new Landcruiser, amongst other niceties, comes standard with what had to be fitted aftermarket to the old one i.e. long range tanks, aircon, diff-locks, etc.

So far, so good, … so long,

Tommy

Share This

4×4 boffins around southern Africa have a philosophy, or theory (it depends), which goes something like this:

• You can (and many actually did) get to and experience most parts even in a VW Beetle
• You will usually need the 4×4 only for the last 50 meters, which you might as well walk
• Should something go wrong and/or should you encounter seriously challenging terrain somewhere along the route, any ‘ole 4×4 won’t be good enough
• If your vehicle and mainly your driving skills won’t live up to it, you are f***ed

As a desert lover and photographer, who obviously likes to take pictures in and of the desert (duhhh) amongst other subject matters, I want to be able to move in and around the desert, or rather, ANY KIND of desert. Namibia and southern Africa provide plenty of opportunities in that regard and more.

Low level in 210s - unbeatable

UN (WFP) ops in Angola

Having had the pleasure to see a large part of southern Africa from the air, I now want to experience it on the ground and close-up. Namibia, Botswana, Angola, Mozambique, Tanzania, South Africa, and so on and so on, live is too short (*sigh*). Simply crossing those countries and/or areas thereof will not suffice, there are certain locations and routes I have set my mind on going to and I am determined to go there on wheels.

The above mentioned objectives and goals obviously immediately eliminate the likes of any Soft Roaders, Crossover SUVs and whatever else is available on the markey today, which merely make it easier for soccer mom to attack curbs without having to worry about it.

No comment ;)

Yet another very important consideration is self-sufficiency, hence suitable amounts of water, food, electricity and fuel, sometimes for many days and kilometers, presenting a challenge for the vehicle, which has to carry all of the before mentioned - plus - occupants (in our case a family), their clothes, toys, etc. pp. you name it. That ticks off the likes of even most Full-size SUVs and double cab Bakkies, especially for us, who do not like either tents or roof-top tents, nor do we like camping “out-of-the-box”.

No comment ;)

On top of it all we appreciate some sort of comfort and safety together with the option to sleep in a comfy bed and/or to cook a pot of noodles without having to unpack half a ton of boxes, bags and stuff from the back of an SUV or Bakkie. Also, and I actually do understand women in that regard for once in a while, your own hygienic toilet and washing/showering facilities do make a difference, especially if easily accessed. This rules out anything that does not come close to some sort of cabin in the back.

Trailer, you say? I almost forgot to address trailers, and we actually where so close to buying one at some stage, I have to admit that the concept and convenience of a trailer is hard to beat. However, although I have listened to all the stories of off-road trailers having been schlepped up and down and through the bundus, which have done it “nooo problem” and even made it back home, I’m sorry I just cannot see a trailer towing vehicle covering hundreds of kilometers of gravel, rocks and bumps, the likes you encounter in Damaraland, never mind crossing a dry river bed or any other “patches” of heavy sand i.e. the Namib (?) Huh?.

Last but not least, I (yes, me!) get a hissy-fit if I have to look at the back of the same truck or bus for 300 kilometers. Usually in this part of the world, these guys go up the hill with 40km/h and down the hill with 140km/h. Overtaking them asks for good nerves, lots of horses and/or pre-planning of a one kilometer sprint on a 5 kilometer stretch. Yes, the journey is the destination, but every now and then you have to cover some distance and would appreciate arriving before midnight. This rules out all heavies which are usually limited to the same speed as the stinker in front of you together with recent years’ Defenders and their sodding under powered turbo-diesels (sorry guys - you know who ;). At least for now. Mayhap - or even most probably - once I’m old and grey and have too much money and time at hand, I will gladly tinker from Cape to Kairo while on a 17 year sabbatical.

LC70 Concept - deployed

LC70 Concept - closed

Sooo, where does that leave us? Well, for now it leaves us (our family) with exactly what we have chosen - a Toyota Landcruiser Bakkie which will in the very near future piggy-back a cabin and which is being converted to a 4×4 Camper, as we speak.

The decision to buy a new one was a no-brainer, because good second hand ones are a) not easy to come by and b) not that much cheaper then a new one. Plus - the new Landcruiser, amongst other niceties, comes standard with what had to be fitted aftermarket to the old one i.e. long range tanks, aircon, diff-locks, etc.

So far, so good, … so long,

Tommy

Share This

Boys'n Toys

Not sure whether this entry does any justice to the category “Journeys”, but I definitely think it’s worth a post.

Once the elsewhere mentioned planning, researching and negotiations phases where concluded, we purchased the said brand new Landcruiser Bakkie and had it delivered within a few days, thanks to Pupkewitz Toyota in Windhoek, who where more than forthcoming in terms of price and very accommodating with our trade-in (the sodding Renault Scenic we where trying to get rid of since day one almost).

Industrious and organised as usual, I had new rims and tyres fitted, a HiFi and Cruise Corntrol installed and two weeks later was on my way to Schroeder Motorhomes in Jeffreys Bay.

More Boys'n Toys

I would like to mention upfront, that driving a Landcruiser Bakkie, as such and in general, is quite different from anything mere mortals and “normal” passenger type vehicle drivers are used to. Especially a 2000km trip over more often than not quite bad roads, with a close to unladen vehicle, equipped with stiff, truck like, suspension, is no fun at all.

My very first trip, right after I picked up our new progeny, came to an early end about 1.5km later at a fuel station, in order to let down the tyres. Filled to the standard 2.5bar, yet no weight in the back whatsoever, I felt as if being ejected through the roof anytime soon. Furthermore and apart from that, I realised that, if I continue like this I will need a Dentist appointment soonest in order to put fillings, crowns and implants back where they were. The Landcruiser is one stiff customer to say the least. I let the tyres down to 1.5 bar, drove straight to the Garden Centre and loaded half a ton of mulch (which we needed anyway). Now ’sort of’ comfortable to drive, my garden had to wait to be mulched, as I was not willing to abstain from the newly gained ride comfort.

Namibian Main Road - First Rate

This may be a good time and place to quote one of the locals’ favourite sayings: “Africa is not a place for sissies”. True that and similar definitely goes for the preferred work horse utilised by the locally born and bred farmers: “A Toyota Landcruiser Bakkie is not a car for sissies”

For my trip to J-Bay I replaced mulch with everything we own that has anything to do with camping, not only, once again, due to the weight/load issue, but also to have everything down there for Schroeder Motorhomes to fit in and on properly. It turned out I should have engaged in some mulch export to South Africa after all.

First let me say that the Landcruiser with its 4.5l straight six goes like stink and that there was hardly a situation where overtaking caused even a hint of sweat. Also, I cannot remember having been overtaken much. Mind you, I’m not an excessively fast or aggressive driver (au contraire), but I did not plan to make the trip a three day exercise either. So I stepped on it and eventually arrived in Upington, which I had scheduled as the half way point and where I had a room booked for the night, way to early. Why, because Namibia’s main road to the South is first rate and, as it appeared, not much frequented on a Sunday. I would soon realise that it would have been better to continue another third of the distance to J-Bay or so.

Namibia's South - For Desert Lovers Only

I got up before dawn the next day (unusual for me), to fuel up and have an early start, which turned out to be a good thing. I understand there are about two main roads going through Upington, yet I was not able to figure out on which one to continue and funny enough nobody I asked could tell me either. Following the road which made the most sense and which also had gathered the majority of votes from the locals, my GPS kept on pointing towards the co-driver seat’s headrest, constantly pointing out that I was busy driving through the bush or something like that. About 15km out of town I had enough, especially of the overly friendly GPS voice chewing away at my eardrums uninterruptedly.

Back in Upington (again) I spotted a middle aged couple in a Bakkie and decided to ask them for help. What followed is part of the (if not THE) reason, why I decided to stay when I first came to Namibia in 1995. The Afrikaaners must be the most accommodating, hospitable, friendly and at the same time sort of cute in their own way, folks on this planet - and, believe me, I have been around. The couple immediately pointed out a spot on the other side of the road and, causing a minor traffic jam, ushered me to turn around and meet them there. All I asked was: “Is this the road to Port Elizabeth and Jeffreys Bay?”. A simple “yes” or “no” would have sufficed. Not so if you ask for directions in a reasonably remote, smallish town in South Africa, whilst making a concerted effort to ask in Afrikaans. We stopped at the agreed meeting spot, got out of our vehicles … shook hands … engaged in small talk … Where are you from? Namibia? Where are you going? Jeffreys Bay? Really? Hmmm? Why? What are you doing? … And so on and so on … All the while my butt itching to get back on the road, but shear heart warming friendliness making it impossible to get to the point. When we eventually did (come to the point), it became obvious that these folks don’t seem to get out of Upington very much and if so, the road would probably not take them beyond the point of no return of what one fuel tank gives. “Port Elizabeth? Dit is mos Kimberley se wereld, ja?” … Aaahhh, no! That would be a definite no, which I can say without consulting either the map or the GPS. Anyway, back and forth some more, it turns out the Missus must have been further than Britstown sometime around 1954 and that I had most probably taken the right road initially after all (I had).

Shaken, not stirred!

Even if this is slowly but surely becoming a rather longish post, I would like to add two more things in praise of the Afrikaaners’ mentality. Would this meeting have taken place the night before, me being stuck or lost or a combination of both, there is now doubt in my mind whatsoever, that I would have had a meal and a bed at these people’s home. In fact, and I have experienced this before, I would have had a hard time to convince them the next day that I really really had to leave and get on my way. “Ja nee”, truly admirable spirit and a lot to learn from for some other cultures and folks in this world.

Anyhoo, to wrap it up, I just made it in time to J-Bay before close of shop(s), slowed and hampered by rather bad to worse roads throughout the Northern and Eastern Cape. I arrived at Schroeder Motorhomes with pulverised intestines, loose tooth fillings and a rash around my belt area.

Almost there!

Still, and even more so after this trip, I am convinced that this is the perfect vehicle for a 4×4 Camper conversion. Rugged and tough as nails, frame and suspension like a truck, a copious amount of horses under the bonnet, rigid axles, donkey gear, diff-locks, you name it … if this vehicle doesn’t get you there, you cannot go there, full stop.

Once the cabin and its interior, together with all the other bells and whistles, are mounted it will actually be a very comfy ride. In fact, we will most likely need to add some OME (Old Man Emu) shocks to counteract roll, supposedly double shocks at the rear. Apart from that a trailer stacked with fuel drums may be a splendid idea.

I will start posting about the planning and production stages soon. Until then, have a good one.

Tommy

Share This

Boys'n Toys

Not sure whether this entry does any justice to the category “Journeys”, but I definitely think it’s worth a post.

Once the elsewhere mentioned planning, researching and negotiations phases where concluded, we purchased the said brand new Landcruiser Bakkie and had it delivered within a few days, thanks to Pupkewitz Toyota in Windhoek, who where more than forthcoming in terms of price and very accommodating with our trade-in (the sodding Renault Scenic we where trying to get rid of since day one almost).

Industrious and organised as usual, I had new rims and tyres fitted, a HiFi and Cruise Corntrol installed and two weeks later was on my way to Schroeder Motorhomes in Jeffreys Bay.

More Boys'n Toys

I would like to mention upfront, that driving a Landcruiser Bakkie, as such and in general, is quite different from anything mere mortals and “normal” passenger type vehicle drivers are used to. Especially a 2000km trip over more often than not quite bad roads, with a close to unladen vehicle, equipped with stiff, truck like, suspension, is no fun at all.

My very first trip, right after I picked up our new progeny, came to an early end about 1.5km later at a fuel station, in order to let down the tyres. Filled to the standard 2.5bar, yet no weight in the back whatsoever, I felt as if being ejected through the roof anytime soon. Furthermore and apart from that, I realised that, if I continue like this I will need a Dentist appointment soonest in order to put fillings, crowns and implants back where they were. The Landcruiser is one stiff customer to say the least. I let the tyres down to 1.5 bar, drove straight to the Garden Centre and loaded half a ton of mulch (which we needed anyway). Now ’sort of’ comfortable to drive, my garden had to wait to be mulched, as I was not willing to abstain from the newly gained ride comfort.

Namibian Main Road - First Rate

This may be a good time and place to quote one of the locals’ favourite sayings: “Africa is not a place for sissies”. True that and similar definitely goes for the preferred work horse utilised by the locally born and bred farmers: “A Toyota Landcruiser Bakkie is not a car for sissies”

For my trip to J-Bay I replaced mulch with everything we own that has anything to do with camping, not only, once again, due to the weight/load issue, but also to have everything down there for Schroeder Motorhomes to fit in and on properly. It turned out I should have engaged in some mulch export to South Africa after all.

First let me say that the Landcruiser with its 4.5l straight six goes like stink and that there was hardly a situation where overtaking caused even a hint of sweat. Also, I cannot remember having been overtaken much. Mind you, I’m not an excessively fast or aggressive driver (au contraire), but I did not plan to make the trip a three day exercise either. So I stepped on it and eventually arrived in Upington, which I had scheduled as the half way point and where I had a room booked for the night, way to early. Why, because Namibia’s main road to the South is first rate and, as it appeared, not much frequented on a Sunday. I would soon realise that it would have been better to continue another third of the distance to J-Bay or so.

Namibia's South - For Desert Lovers Only

I got up before dawn the next day (unusual for me), to fuel up and have an early start, which turned out to be a good thing. I understand there are about two main roads going through Upington, yet I was not able to figure out on which one to continue and funny enough nobody I asked could tell me either. Following the road which made the most sense and which also had gathered the majority of votes from the locals, my GPS kept on pointing towards the co-driver seat’s headrest, constantly pointing out that I was busy driving through the bush or something like that. About 15km out of town I had enough, especially of the overly friendly GPS voice chewing away at my eardrums uninterruptedly.

Back in Upington (again) I spotted a middle aged couple in a Bakkie and decided to ask them for help. What followed is part of the (if not THE) reason, why I decided to stay when I first came to Namibia in 1995. The Afrikaaners must be the most accommodating, hospitable, friendly and at the same time sort of cute in their own way, folks on this planet - and, believe me, I have been around. The couple immediately pointed out a spot on the other side of the road and, causing a minor traffic jam, ushered me to turn around and meet them there. All I asked was: “Is this the road to Port Elizabeth and Jeffreys Bay?”. A simple “yes” or “no” would have sufficed. Not so if you ask for directions in a reasonably remote, smallish town in South Africa, whilst making a concerted effort to ask in Afrikaans. We stopped at the agreed meeting spot, got out of our vehicles … shook hands … engaged in small talk … Where are you from? Namibia? Where are you going? Jeffreys Bay? Really? Hmmm? Why? What are you doing? … And so on and so on … All the while my butt itching to get back on the road, but shear heart warming friendliness making it impossible to get to the point. When we eventually did (come to the point), it became obvious that these folks don’t seem to get out of Upington very much and if so, the road would probably not take them beyond the point of no return of what one fuel tank gives. “Port Elizabeth? Dit is mos Kimberley se wereld, ja?” … Aaahhh, no! That would be a definite no, which I can say without consulting either the map or the GPS. Anyway, back and forth some more, it turns out the Missus must have been further than Britstown sometime around 1954 and that I had most probably taken the right road initially after all (I had).

Shaken, not stirred!

Even if this is slowly but surely becoming a rather longish post, I would like to add two more things in praise of the Afrikaaners’ mentality. Would this meeting have taken place the night before, me being stuck or lost or a combination of both, there is now doubt in my mind whatsoever, that I would have had a meal and a bed at these people’s home. In fact, and I have experienced this before, I would have had a hard time to convince them the next day that I really really had to leave and get on my way. “Ja nee”, truly admirable spirit and a lot to learn from for some other cultures and folks in this world.

Anyhoo, to wrap it up, I just made it in time to J-Bay before close of shop(s), slowed and hampered by rather bad to worse roads throughout the Northern and Eastern Cape. I arrived at Schroeder Motorhomes with pulverised intestines, loose tooth fillings and a rash around my belt area.

Almost there!

Still, and even more so after this trip, I am convinced that this is the perfect vehicle for a 4×4 Camper conversion. Rugged and tough as nails, frame and suspension like a truck, a copious amount of horses under the bonnet, rigid axles, donkey gear, diff-locks, you name it … if this vehicle doesn’t get you there, you cannot go there, full stop.

Once the cabin and its interior, together with all the other bells and whistles, are mounted it will actually be a very comfy ride. In fact, we will most likely need to add some OME (Old Man Emu) shocks to counteract roll, supposedly double shocks at the rear. Apart from that a trailer stacked with fuel drums may be a splendid idea.

I will start posting about the planning and production stages soon. Until then, have a good one.

Tommy

Share This

Boys'n Toys

Not sure whether this entry does any justice to the category “Journeys”, but I definitely think it’s worth a post.

Once the elsewhere mentioned planning, researching and negotiations phases where concluded, we purchased the said brand new Landcruiser Bakkie and had it delivered within a few days, thanks to Pupkewitz Toyota in Windhoek, who where more than forthcoming in terms of price and very accommodating with our trade-in (the sodding Renault Scenic we where trying to get rid of since day one almost).

Industrious and organised as usual, I had new rims and tyres fitted, a HiFi and Cruise Corntrol installed and two weeks later was on my way to Schroeder Motorhomes in Jeffreys Bay.

More Boys'n Toys

I would like to mention upfront, that driving a Landcruiser Bakkie, as such and in general, is quite different from anything mere mortals and “normal” passenger type vehicle drivers are used to. Especially a 2000km trip over more often than not quite bad roads, with a close to unladen vehicle, equipped with stiff, truck like, suspension, is no fun at all.

My very first trip, right after I picked up our new progeny, came to an early end about 1.5km later at a fuel station, in order to let down the tyres. Filled to the standard 2.5bar, yet no weight in the back whatsoever, I felt as if being ejected through the roof anytime soon. Furthermore and apart from that, I realised that, if I continue like this I will need a Dentist appointment soonest in order to put fillings, crowns and implants back where they were. The Landcruiser is one stiff customer to say the least. I let the tyres down to 1.5 bar, drove straight to the Garden Centre and loaded half a ton of mulch (which we needed anyway). Now ’sort of’ comfortable to drive, my garden had to wait to be mulched, as I was not willing to abstain from the newly gained ride comfort.

Namibian Main Road - First Rate

This may be a good time and place to quote one of the locals’ favourite sayings: “Africa is not a place for sissies”. True that and similar definitely goes for the preferred work horse utilised by the locally born and bred farmers: “A Toyota Landcruiser Bakkie is not a car for sissies”

For my trip to J-Bay I replaced mulch with everything we own that has anything to do with camping, not only, once again, due to the weight/load issue, but also to have everything down there for Schroeder Motorhomes to fit in and on properly. It turned out I should have engaged in some mulch export to South Africa after all.

First let me say that the Landcruiser with its 4.5l straight six goes like stink and that there was hardly a situation where overtaking caused even a hint of sweat. Also, I cannot remember having been overtaken much. Mind you, I’m not an excessively fast or aggressive driver (au contraire), but I did not plan to make the trip a three day exercise either. So I stepped on it and eventually arrived in Upington, which I had scheduled as the half way point and where I had a room booked for the night, way to early. Why, because Namibia’s main road to the South is first rate and, as it appeared, not much frequented on a Sunday. I would soon realise that it would have been better to continue another third of the distance to J-Bay or so.

Namibia's South - For Desert Lovers Only

I got up before dawn the next day (unusual for me), to fuel up and have an early start, which turned out to be a good thing. I understand there are about two main roads going through Upington, yet I was not able to figure out on which one to continue and funny enough nobody I asked could tell me either. Following the road which made the most sense and which also had gathered the majority of votes from the locals, my GPS kept on pointing towards the co-driver seat’s headrest, constantly pointing out that I was busy driving through the bush or something like that. About 15km out of town I had enough, especially of the overly friendly GPS voice chewing away at my eardrums uninterruptedly.

Back in Upington (again) I spotted a middle aged couple in a Bakkie and decided to ask them for help. What followed is part of the (if not THE) reason, why I decided to stay when I first came to Namibia in 1995. The Afrikaaners must be the most accommodating, hospitable, friendly and at the same time sort of cute in their own way, folks on this planet - and, believe me, I have been around. The couple immediately pointed out a spot on the other side of the road and, causing a minor traffic jam, ushered me to turn around and meet them there. All I asked was: “Is this the road to Port Elizabeth and Jeffreys Bay?”. A simple “yes” or “no” would have sufficed. Not so if you ask for directions in a reasonably remote, smallish town in South Africa, whilst making a concerted effort to ask in Afrikaans. We stopped at the agreed meeting spot, got out of our vehicles … shook hands … engaged in small talk … Where are you from? Namibia? Where are you going? Jeffreys Bay? Really? Hmmm? Why? What are you doing? … And so on and so on … All the while my butt itching to get back on the road, but shear heart warming friendliness making it impossible to get to the point. When we eventually did (come to the point), it became obvious that these folks don’t seem to get out of Upington very much and if so, the road would probably not take them beyond the point of no return of what one fuel tank gives. “Port Elizabeth? Dit is mos Kimberley se wereld, ja?” … Aaahhh, no! That would be a definite no, which I can say without consulting either the map or the GPS. Anyway, back and forth some more, it turns out the Missus must have been further than Britstown sometime around 1954 and that I had most probably taken the right road initially after all (I had).

Shaken, not stirred!

Even if this is slowly but surely becoming a rather longish post, I would like to add two more things in praise of the Afrikaaners’ mentality. Would this meeting have taken place the night before, me being stuck or lost or a combination of both, there is now doubt in my mind whatsoever, that I would have had a meal and a bed at these people’s home. In fact, and I have experienced this before, I would have had a hard time to convince them the next day that I really really had to leave and get on my way. “Ja nee”, truly admirable spirit and a lot to learn from for some other cultures and folks in this world.

Anyhoo, to wrap it up, I just made it in time to J-Bay before close of shop(s), slowed and hampered by rather bad to worse roads throughout the Northern and Eastern Cape. I arrived at Schroeder Motorhomes with pulverised intestines, loose tooth fillings and a rash around my belt area.

Almost there!

Still, and even more so after this trip, I am convinced that this is the perfect vehicle for a 4×4 Camper conversion. Rugged and tough as nails, frame and suspension like a truck, a copious amount of horses under the bonnet, rigid axles, donkey gear, diff-locks, you name it … if this vehicle doesn’t get you there, you cannot go there, full stop.

Once the cabin and its interior, together with all the other bells and whistles, are mounted it will actually be a very comfy ride. In fact, we will most likely need to add some OME (Old Man Emu) shocks to counteract roll, supposedly double shocks at the rear. Apart from that a trailer stacked with fuel drums may be a splendid idea.

I will start posting about the planning and production stages soon. Until then, have a good one.

Tommy

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