Namibia

This is the view when you exit the plane at the capital, Windhoek. As you see, it is very clean.

We had arranged to spend a weekend in the desert, in order to see Sossusvlei (and stay here). The most popular dune to climb is called Big Daddy (370 meters), but we are wimpy rogues and climbed Big Mama. I was wearing walking shoes (good) but they were slip-on (oh boy). The upside here is that P. has a great picture of me pouring what looks like four feet of sand out of my shoe. Great because he had so many opportunities to try.

Here you are approaching Deadvlei. Sand dunes cut off the river, and these trees are said to be around 700 years old. It was stark and beautiful and quiet.

Pretty much everyone in the world has the same pictures of Deadvlei.

Though most are sensible enough to spare the Internet the ones with them peeking out from behind trees.

We spent a good amount of time relaxing at our little chalet-kalula thing. I'm a big fan of oceans, and I was happy to discover that the hypnotic effect of so much sand rippling off into the distance felt similar to me. On the right-hand side of the picture, you can just make out the corner of the freezing, freezing plunge pool that only P. used.

I was disappointed that I didn't see any gemsbok (oryx. in Afrikaans, HHHHHHHEMSbok), but pleased enough to eat them. To make up for the lack of wildlife on our "sundowner tour," our guide, Willem, would stop the truck, get out, and point out different types of African grass. I will remember that for a long, long time. Coming soon: South Africa pictures.