Not
yet. Going home was for later today. We first had to see the Fish River Canyon.
This natural
wonder is the second largest canyon in the world. The gigantic ravine is about
160 km long, up to 27 km wide and in places almost 550 metres deep.
From
Ais-Ais it was a 68 km gravel road ride to the lookout point at Hobas. As it
was early morning, the veld had a different and fresher smell to it than
yesterday afternoon on the way in to Ais-Ais. Even the colours and textures in
nature around me were more vibrant and pronounced.
“Go
ahead and show off, Namibia! It is, after all, our last day to experience the
wonders that you have to offer!” I shouted inside my crash helmet.
The
only sound that one could hear while overlooking the gigantic ravine, was that
of cameras clicking. Perhaps it was the magnitude of what we saw that left us
speechless. Perhaps it was our inability to find words to describe this vista
that made us remain quiet. As if adhering to an unwritten rule, nobody said a
word.
And
then it was time to go home. We covered the 200 km to Noordoewer in good time
and went smoothly through the border post at around one o’clock the afternoon.
From there it was steady and focused riding to try to cover the almost 700 km
home before sunset.
Those
who know the characteristics of the BMW boxer engine will be familiar with the
reassuring and almost hypnotising resonance that comes from these solid engines
while cruising at high speed. And with this symphony as background in my ears,
I replayed our Namibian experience over the past eight days as we journeyed home. I especially recalled my need for an adventure to clear my head and to
find myself again.
But it turned out to be much more than only an
adventure. I’ve experienced a pilgrimage which cleansed my mind and soothed my
soul. Namibia allowed me to again find my true self, far away from the rushed and
everyday world that I’ve left behind at the start of the journey.
Piketberg, Mooreesburg, Malmesbury, Stellenbosch. I
was back in familiar territory with towns with soft on the ear sounding names. But
it now had a fresh ring to it. I was a new person.
Thank you, Namibia!
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