|
|
Post by ilbonito on Jun 11, 2010 10:59:53 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by onlymark on Jun 11, 2010 12:36:27 GMT
Wonderful place. I've been here many times and always enjoy from one time to the next to see how much more has been covered. In English - Kolmanskop - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KolmanskopI'd forgotten all about it. It makes me want to go back again, the last time was in about 2005. Thanks. |
|
|
|
Post by lola on Jun 11, 2010 18:46:09 GMT
Too cool, il bo. Am suppressing metaphors like crazy.
Those rooms call out for an art film crew.
|
|
|
|
Post by spindrift on Jun 11, 2010 22:34:51 GMT
It appeals to me as well ;D. I have yet to visit Namibia.
|
|
|
|
Post by auntieannie on Jun 13, 2010 12:33:41 GMT
How long will it take for the desert to completely cover this town? Until when was it inhabitated?
Where did the miners go? To another mine?
|
|
|
|
Post by lola on Jun 13, 2010 13:57:03 GMT
So dreamlike.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2010 15:07:01 GMT
I have been planning a trip to Luderitz and the Skeleton Coast for years -- which would give me a chance to see plenty of the other stuff as well.
|
|
|
|
Post by spindrift on Jun 13, 2010 20:57:47 GMT
Kerouac? you been to Botswana yet? Okavango swamps?
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2010 21:13:11 GMT
No, my African adventures have been quite limited -- only Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Senegal, Kenya and South Africa so far. So many more places to see!
|
|
|
|
Post by hwinpp on Jun 14, 2010 10:02:18 GMT
I found Namibia absolutely boring.
Best places were Windhuk, Swakopmund and the Caprivi Strip.
The Kalahari Gemsbock and Etosha NPs were good but I'm not a huge observer of animals.
Walfischbai even had some very seedy nightlife!
|
|
|
|
Post by onlymark on Jun 14, 2010 11:24:00 GMT
Compares to SE Asia it definitely is boring. The lack of population and large distances to travel can be an acquired taste without doubt. But then it's a personal thing and this is what appeals to me. There are many things to do and see but it takes time to get there.
The sheer emptiness, the scenery, the wildness, the remoteness add to it for me. The desert camps, unlimited sky, rock formations, sand dunes, changing colours, climate changes, history and the activities available especially in Swakopmund (I always avoid Walvis Bay, it can be a bit seedy), the Himba, the San, even the space of Etosha and the Kalahari, and unexpected animal encounters all make it for me my favourite country.
I've been there more times than I can count (though somewhere around twenty or so) and I went there on the expeditions I did plus my annual three week holiday away from the family.
|
|
|
|
Post by onlymark on Jun 14, 2010 11:29:42 GMT
How long will it take for the desert to completely cover this town? Until when was it inhabitated? Where did the miners go? To another mine? The town was eventually abandoned in the early 50's. It'll probably still take many decades for it to be covered completely, if ever. The wind blows the sand in and out so you can go from one year to the next and see things you didn't see before, or not see things you did, if you know what I mean. It was running down for many years, the diamond miners moved on gradually, some to other mines, some stayed in Luderitz and never worked again. The usual story really. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2010 13:52:22 GMT
I agree about endless desert drives being an acquired taste, Mark. Mine have been somewhat tamer, limited to driving across places like Nevada and Utah, but I find it hypnotic to drive on an empty road through empty land for hours and see a grand total of maybe two other vehicles. You can be heading towards mountains that you see on the horizon, but they never get bigger and you never arrive (actually you do arrive, but about 4 or 5 hours later than you thought).
|
|
|
|
Post by onlymark on Jun 14, 2010 14:09:25 GMT
Nevada and Utah are quite flat, no? Never been there. I get the impression though that you'd drive a lot further without any change in the scenery.
There are long flat roads in Namibia but they tend to just be for half an hour or so. Then, if you are on one of the numerous gravel roads, you miss the bend as you're going too fast and have misjudged it, try and turn into it, slide on the gravel, fall off to the side of the road and overturn the car.
That's what normally happens to lots of Italians every year it seems.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2010 14:18:17 GMT
Some parts are flat and others are quite mountainous. U.S. Route 50 makes for an amazing journey.  |
|
|
|
Post by onlymark on Jun 14, 2010 14:21:53 GMT
This is the usual sort of gravel road -  |
|
|
|
Post by onlymark on Jun 14, 2010 14:23:08 GMT
And the speed limit there is?
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2010 14:44:15 GMT
I think it's 75mph on those roads ( = 120 km/h ). I mean that's the speed people would drive if they were respecting the law.
|
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Jun 14, 2010 16:27:10 GMT
Can't get white line fever where there ain't no white line!
I can definitely see the appeal, with nothing much to separate the road from the natural landscape. Your description of why you love the place is very convincing, Mark.
|
|
|
|
Post by hwinpp on Jun 15, 2010 9:44:57 GMT
I understand you Mark. Was just me, the friend whom I was with on two visits there loved the place. And he's been back a couple of times.
I did like Seth Efrica though. That was a place I'd return to.
|
|
