We had a bloody early start and drove further north through increasingly dry and stark, but incredibly beautiful mountainous country. Sharp eyed Georgie spotted some springboks on the side of the road.
Eventually, as we neared the Namibian border the mountains took on an other-worldly look. Harsh, dry, rocky with incredible shapes and shadows cast across rugged scree slopes and layered cliffs. Many a photo was taken from out of the bus window.
We were fascinated by what appeared to be ancient branched aloe trees scattered amongst the lower shrubs, some about two metres tall. Our guide, Johnny, described them as quiver trees, each about 100 years old he said.
We arrived at the Gariep (Orange) River and camped amongst more vineyards. The views across the wide river were of the dry Mars-scape mountains of Namibia. Our anticipation for reaching that strange and unique place steadily grew.
It was at that campsite that I saw my very first fifty trillion dollar note! A real one! Mind you, it was Zimbabwean dollars so it was probably only worth about 20 cents.
