Here's the email I sent out after returning home from three absolutely amazing weeks in Namibia:
Hi guys!
I've been back from my annual big trip (this year to Namibia, in case someone didn't know…) for a week now, so it's probably time for answering all your lovely emails or just let you know how the trip was!
I've never before sent a group email, but since I'd like to share some of the pics my friend Sandra and me took I hope you don't mind – just this once… ;o) I have to send the pictures in two mails, they seem to be too big for hotmail – if you get them twice I'm sorry!
I hope everyone is okay, wherever he or she is at the moment! Let me know how you're doing!
Oh, in case I haven't told you yet – there were problems with my luggage (to be exact: with the absence of it), so I spent two of the three weeks without it – but I'll spare you the gory details of “the tragic epic of the lost luggage and the incapable airline staff”… ;o)
I'll just go through the pics quickly to show you how much fun and how many special experiences I had:
The first leg of the journey (to the north) our group was small, only four of us (Sandra, me and a couple from Germany, Martin and Alexandra) and the guide Bossie.
The very first night on tour we spent at a cheetah farm where we could watch them feed and even touch one of them – it was absolutely amazing! The guy beside me on the picture is Marco, the owner of the farm.
That was for me one of the absolute high points – we visited a Himba kral! The visit itself was a bit awkward (like going to a zoo..) but the Himba obviously liked us (specially the children), because they came to our campsite in the evening and despite our inability to communicate we had lots of fun! They even danced for us – and almost died laughing when Martin joined them!
After one week we returned to Windhoek, the capital, where we got a new guide and five more travelling companions. We set out to explore the south.
Supposedly the second biggest canyon in the world (after the Grand Canyon) – very impressive!
We spent two nights at the feet of the Klein Aus mountains. Most of us went for a small hike and were rewarded with an awesome view over the desert – but I think you guys are more interested in pics with people in them… ;o)
The people are: Bernd (Germany), my friend Sandra, Mike (USA), Tal (Israel), Helene and Christoph (Germany) and our guide Eckhard (Namibia, but German speaking). Not on the hike were Alexandra and Martin (Germany). So you see, except for Tal and Mike we all spoke German, which was a bit annoying for them – wasn't it, Tal? ;o)
The famous dunes of Sossusvlei were of course another high point. I loved it there – even if climbing the high sand dunes was damn hard work, but watching the sunset from dune 45 was defintely worth it! Also loads of fun was running down the side of the dune in a chain, almost falling because it got so fast… Btw, the two blond heads in the back of the group pic belong to Martin and Alexandra.
In Swakopmund our group changed once more – Bernd, Helene and Christoph left us and Rose (South Africa) and Martin (England) joined us for the trip to the North, specially the national park Etosha.
We had a morning in Swakop and used that for shopping. I was very happy, because I had finally gotten my backpack back! Btw, it's a miracle I have pictures of Tal smiling – she normally hid her face whenever someone tried to take one of her. (Yes, Martin?) ;o)
In Etosha we were really lucky and saw tons of animals – zebra, oryx, kudu, giraf, rhinos, lions (from afar) etc. But the best part for me were the elephants! The wonderful sunset pic was taken on the first evening there and I thought it couldn't get any better – but the next day we saw about four or five herds of those impressive animals! One even crossed the road right in front of our car – I was deliriously happy!
The last day in Etosha it was raining – probably so Sandra and I wouldn't miss Namibia so much when we came back home… ;o) Didn't work of course!
Sandra and I wanted to finish our films, so we started taking lots of people pics. Btw, Mike is hugging the Kleenex because he was sitting right under a leak… ;o)
The safari was supposedly “on participation basis”, which only meant that we put our tents up and broke them down and helped with the dishes… Here's the proof! :o)
On the very last day of the tour most of us went and hiked up Waterberg plateau. Luckily the weather cleared and it was really nice. (Mike, Tal, Eckhard, me, Rose, Martin)
no comment… You were one lucky guy, weren't you – hubby?! ;o)
Our farewell dinner back in Windhoek. I apologize for ruining the pic! ;o) I was tempted to keep it for myself, but since everyone except for me is smiling so nicely… We all ate Namibian game – I had Kudu, which has a very… interesting flavour… (me -urgh!-, Sandra, Mike, Tal, Martin)
Okay, I hope you enjoyed my rambling about my trip and are nice and jealous now… ;o) Of course except those of you still travelling – I WANT, TOO!!!! ;o)
Bye for now – hope to hear from you soon!
Love / Liebe Grüsse,
Eva/Evi
PS. Tal – where are you now? How was the beach? Have you met lots of people? (But you still miss me, don't you? ;o) ) I'll write some things in German now – no offense, they're really not important! :o)
Sandra – klar bin i au im Oktober drbi! I bi jetzt dihei bis d'Uni afoht und usser ere Wiisheitszahnbehandlig (aua, will nit!) stoht nüt Grössers uf em Programm! I bi an dr Judith ihrem Empfang gsi – sie het usgseh wie e Prinzässin, sooo schön!
Martin – so you travelled Namibia on your own… Want, too!!!! Btw, the weather here is beautiful! *Sings “nananananaaa” in a very childish voice…* ;o)
Kathrin – gefällt Dir das Studium? Dich hat's also ganz in den Norden verschlagen… Hoffe, bald mal wieder von Dir zu hören!
Roman – wie isch d'Priefig gloffe, hesch s'Resultat scho? Du gohsch also ins Wälschland – i bi beidruckt! Hoffetlig sehn mir uns vorhär mol no!
Debbie – thanks for your wonderful email! You're right, we all should tell people how much they mean to us!
Karin – hesch Di no bitz meh igläbt? Was für e Erfahrig, mol nit als Tourist in e fremds Land go, sondern zum dött läbe!
Mike – where are you now? In Paris? It's a wonderful city, isn't it? Hope to hear from you soon! And remember – Basel is only 4 hours by train from Paris… “Mach's gut!”
Daniel – ha ghört, Du bisch jetzt in Paris. WOW, so cool – möcht au!!! Bisch au schön am Franzi rede? ;o)
David – was machst Du im Moment so? Arbeiten? Lass mich wissen, was bei Dir so läuft! Hab gestern Dein Geburtstagsgeschenk abgeschickt – hoffe, es gefällt Dir! Falls Du mal Lust auf eine Reise in die Schweiz hast… ;o)
Everyone else – even if I have nothing much to say, I think of you, wherever you are!