Namibia: The Dunes and Sossusvlei

ONWARD!

So after a week in the Kgalagadi, we were off for a week in Namibia.  We were quite excited, especially Aaron, who is very interested in the archeology of the region.

This is the route we took:

 

(Uh.  Kinda.)

Anyhoo, our first stop (other than to get groceries) was Sossusvlei in the Namib Desert.  According to good ole Wikipedia, Sossusvlei is: "a salt and clay pan surrounded by high red dunes, located in the southern part of the Namib Desert, in the Namib-Naukluft National Park of Namibia. The name "Sossusvlei" is often used in an extended meaning to refer to the surrounding area (including other neighbouring vleis such as Dead Vlei and other high dunes), which is one of the major visitor attractions of Namibia."

It it UNREAL.

Like, you actually feel you are on another planet.  A more breathable Mars or something.  It was stark and alien and stunning.

How high are these dunes?  Well look below:

I'm the black and white figure.  So yeah.  Pretty dang big.

And of course, you gotta climb them:

And climb ...

And climb some more ...

And then you die a little ...

And you stop to admire the view and then you keep going ...

And then you get to the top (or you know, mostly.)

And the views are kind of heart-achingly beautiful.

And then the sun sets ...

and you go back to camp and have lots of beer.