Are we there yet

[Music] join us on a 23-day adventure drive through three countries South Africa Namibia and Botswana [Music] [Music] thank you [Music] know in Gavin there are going to be a ton of upgrades to the journey [Music] [Music] thank you foreign [Music] [Music] thank you [Music] for 100 foot and stuff not on the top shelf and I need to be able to reach my pillow okay very important medical stuff [Music] because covid-19 had put an end to border free Crossings we had to have PCR tests before leaving Durban we then settled for freesberg our first overnight stop [Music] after breakfast we drove to Kimberley over some of the worst roads you can imagine it's really sad to see how covert has affected the tourism industry we were the only guests in this beautiful hotel [Music] our last day in South Africa saw us traveling to upington where we stayed at a slightly run down guest house I suppose they were another victim of covert [Music] look at this we're leaving upington and going into Namibia for the first time there is important we keep asking me this I have no idea what to expect you've heard lots of people talk about it it doesn't mean I'll feel the same okay South African border before we enter Namibia [Music] the 18 kilometer Drive between the South African and namibian border control points felt like ours as there wasn't much to see [Music] [Music] you've got to be a very special person to live out here [Music] as we insert the IIs National Park Gavin found his first opportunity to leave his mark [Music] ice between Canyons foreign [Music] the scenery was stunning with huge mountains on one side of the fish River they have indoor hot spring pools but sadly the hotel was another victim of covert okay this is 65 degrees so they're saying I'm going to put my foot in on my toe [Music] oh [Music] yes that's hot [Music] it's seriously hurts oh my word [Music] [Applause] [Applause] we worked to a beautiful namibian sunrise turning the mountains to a bright orange after breakfast we set off to Fish River Canyon Road [Music] Fish River Canyon is the second biggest canyon in the world and is really impressive [Music] we went to the start of the hiking trail where we watched some seriously crazy hikers [Music] to USB could I do that walk the answer is yeah I think so and you ask me would I do the walk no [Music] that's crazy you can see just time you get to Cannon Roadhouse all the old cars I'm not touching the stress [Music] this is the result of the roads in Namibia it was a short 28 kilometer drive to Cannon Roadhouse for lunch under the tree petrol station looks like it needs a sticker as well [Music] [Applause] [Music] the collection of all the old cars is an indication of the condition of the roads then it was back to IIs first Sundowner it's quite beautiful picture of it [Music] tell us what you thought of I asked are we leaving it it was crappy you are my honest opinion yes please what didn't you like about it it was crappy the rooms went very good badly maintained pain falling off cracks no milk this is too long to even yeah it's just very nice yeah from my ice we headed south so we could follow the Orange River [Music] black stuff [Music] beautiful Crepes oh very close we hadn't catered For road closures and going back would add at least four hours to the trip as this is an adventure we decided to take a chance and there's the Orange River look at it [Music] cool this was a road to rush Pina and some of the beautiful mountains actually going around and a beautiful car absolutely awesome okay my boots [Music] awesome [Music] the road is turning out to be absolutely amazing and we were still expecting to be turned back due to the road being washed away by the recent heavy rains foreign was in bad condition but we were grateful for the aftermarket shocks [Music] [Music] it turned out to be a good decision to ignore that road closed sign the question is Right close here too brush peanut is a small mining town where we stop for a par and got straight back on the road to us our overnight stay [Music] that's never gonna show me how to get there [Music] I have no idea [Music] [Music] we arrived at house mid-afternoon and checked into our Chalet the restaurant had the most incredible food [Music] he's talking code but uh she draws well [Music] foreign [Music] as we lift us our GPS was determined to get us lost turn left onto f410 what [Music] F-14 this QPS is rubbish can you believe we're working on ways rather than Garmin GPS tracks for Africa a little Chuck there we are taking a break and the only Tree in Namibia [Music] bored or if you're happy on the way to seestream we decided to take a 40 kilometer detour to visit do a sub Castle [Music] foreign [Music] [Music] Fed Up we then tackled the badly corrugated roads to Sea stream [Music] we arrived at 616 Lodge by mid afternoon and had to walk along suspended walkways which felt like it was a kilometer away from the dining room [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] we were warned that baboons have learned to open the doors so it's advisable to always keep them locked [Music] I'm not busy foreign [Music] [Music] 60ks with 45 cases to June 45 about 60 K's to the parking lot of Good Friday and it's Five Guys of before that fall yourself so so sad when we arrived at the parking area Gavin deflated the Germany's tires in preparation for the soft sand of the riverbed [Music] Engage The 4x4 gearbox did not seem to be engaging and he made several attempts to get it working [Music] after a while we decided to just give it a go and hope that the gearbox engages in the soft sand [Music] [Music] here [Music] thank you [Music] [Music] something real this thing's fishy [Music] please it turned out that the 4x4 gearbox did not engage and we were stuck he tried everything from digging Sands to deflating the tires while I started cheering them on [Music] then all Brad spark had an idea as the last resort he took our deck chairs off the roof and stuck them under the back tires only to destroy them this this chimney stuck we managed to get a lift with the tour guide and got to see some hymns book along the way we finally arrived at Susie's play and started a long walk to the dirt fly in the sweltering Heat [Music] the pants they told me it's worth it [Music] tired is [Music] sorry I don't see beauty walk on it yep you can't I don't want to Sandy it's not it is coming to the dead trees thank you I've got three trees in my garden beautiful dirt fly foreign we went for a walk through sea stream Canyon [Music] the ear was quite cool in the shadows of the canyon it was amazing to see how the perennial river had eroded the desert to form these huge Canyon walls [Music] then it was back to the lodge for a Sundowner so you're going to tell me about our draft today okay let's start off with uh we went to go see [Music] a dirt bike pen it's dried up and got dried up all trees did trees you did choose and and I sanded now we saw the sand dune Dunes so yeah which you weren't too impressed with no okay now getting there I'm gonna make an excuse first my four by four wouldn't lock in and uh we got stuck seriously stuck tried digging it out didn't work [Music] I need my good old deck chairs were stuck under the wheels I rode over those but didn't work and uh yeah and you know who's gonna love the story the most yeah stood [Laughter] I got out of there how did we get out of there we got um helped towed and helped but we got out check the forward 4 system and it's broken but anyway besides that glass of wine and I'm okay cool you did [Music] on the way to soccer month we stopped off at Solitaire for tea and cake [Music] arrive at Solitaire country not on the right thank you it looks like everyone has the same idea of leaving their calling cards [Music] after our tea and Cake we were back on the dirt roads heading for soccer months who says gymnas are slow it's all scattered as thick as that foreign [Music] we made a quick stop for photos at the Tropic of Capricorn there wasn't a single sticker on the sign in 2016. [Music] [Music] I get too used to the top hit [Music] here we are again thank you just when the road improved the only interesting site required a permit it'll say nobody postures [Music] there's grandfatherberg [Music] foreign [Music] [Applause] [Music] thank you as we reach fall for spay we were amazed at how dry everything was considering it was on the coast [Music] s with the TV dishes [Applause] foreign [Music] [Music] wind coming off the sea look how wide these roads are was told it's because of the old Ox wagons there to turn them around thank you [Music] stuck in the figure of eight minutes the old buildings in this part of Sacrament are amazing [Music] [Applause] unfortunately the mechanics at soccer Point had no idea how to repair gearbox so we explored the town before enjoying a dinner at the local beer garden [Music] thank you we should have stayed another day at swachopmont as the little town was full of interesting shops and people they were busy tiring the salt Road north of Sacrament so we were diverted through the small fishing Village I really don't know how to describe this place I suppose pick a spot and build your house while driving north we saw ShopRite so we turned off the main road to take a look [Music] swamped with roadside Traders trying to sell crystals and gemstones [Music] you can take me I'm just cool to unlock that yesterday wait I want to show you no no okay no of course already [Music] that's an angolan fishing boat that ran ashore here just North the soccer point all this Sailors survived at henties Bay we turn right heading straight into the desert again [Music] [Music] we set both the Garmin GPS and which I paid a fortune for tracks for Africa and we said are free always programming from the car the GPS the Garmin GPS is taking us right around would have got the predicts we'll get there at quarter past five this afternoon program from Waze [Music] shut up chose the right route we're gonna get there at quarter to two big difference [Music] ridiculous along the side of the road where numerous roadside stalls selling gemstones and crystals the strange thing was there was nobody to be seen [Music] [Applause] this is gemstone store in the middle of absolutely nowhere no one to be seen total trust [Music] I think it's gravel yeah yes a buddy rentals driving towards the finger clip see it in front of that mountain there it is you gotta do this is that something what is that you know someone told me it was a honeymoon thing but I don't think it is foreign [Music] [Music] thank you you make it safe for my full gearbox after checking in at the lodge we took a drive to the finger clip [Music] too tired yes I am [Music] good Ness [Music] there's the lodge and this is where we're going for dinner this is the view of tonight's restaurant from our Chalet the smiles didn't last long after we saw what we had to climb to get a meal 56 999 stays by the time we got to the Eagle's Nest we were both pretty tired and were thinking that the dinner better be as good as the view foreign [Music] reception know how unimpressed I was with the hike up the mountain for dinner we were back on the road to sumeep [Music] to zoom in but it's all time so far pretty boring game form on the left came from on the right fences carrier for kilometers on it what's this on the left shoulders wow all right yeah this is Ocho [Music] the little town of Ocho even had an okay food store coming into ultravaronga it's really dead isn't it it's Sunday is it isn't it Monday exposed not far out of rongo we encountered the first of many roadblocks this is because we're getting close to the Box um walk towards the it's Veterinary witnessing taking lessons good morning go through thank you turned out it was a normal roadblock we must look like honest people as they let us through without any questions [Music] in 800 meters arrive at before I turn off to sumeep we took a detour to visit the hoba meteorite foreign [Music] is the biggest meteorite in the world and was discovered by a farmer in 1920 when his plow got stuck in it future [Applause] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] oh please [Music] I don't get into it arriving at Resort the GPS can't pronounce the names of the places in Namibia we arrived at Cooper Clay Resort where we encountered the most energetic security guard who could run faster than our car hello where's number 58 . thanks very much thank you for instance the resort had one of the best rooms but the worst food is this for a giant room [Music] Look it's even got two toilets as we were crossing into Botswana in today's time we had to have another round of covert tests [Music] yeah I didn't come much the time it is yeah you actually stayed anytime I came to the towns when I was going out to the Border post [Music] yeah that was Richmond Times yes this on the box we found a little Courier placed inside the road with the guys carve all sorts of things out of wood and not like everywhere else where you see Runners and spring back sort of animals elephants in our class you see gunships helicopters in yeah that's there what they so much between the Waterhouse I called what they know the roadblocks intensified as we drove closer to rundu the police were absolutely fantastic at every roadblock good morning how are you very well how are you sir always good thanks is everything well 100 the road is good fantastic accepted through the desert [Laughter] yeah she was moaning cool have a good day cheers [Music] it was early afternoon when we arrived at kaisosi River Lodge foreign [Music] [Music] we spent hours sitting on the deck watching the birds while enjoying a couple of Sundowners oh [Music] my God [Music] the sunrise of the river was stunning through a reserve on the way [Music] it's super elephants let's say we'll see elephants but there's nothing the cows walking across the road everywhere 22k two outside and use Stone throws many of my kids [Music] oh shut up GPS we pulled up at the protea hotel which looked awesome from reception but that's where it ended [Music] here here Hotel [Music] and look at the walls made out of [Music] beer bottles millions of them [Music] you turn on the limit of the protea hotel [Music] after settling into our Chalet we took a drive around katima molilo which for Gavin brought back some memories of the war after a very disappointing dinner we relaxed with a cold one watching another awesome sunset [Music] we live in kachimum [Music] Budapest exiting Namibia [Music] after quick border formalities were done we had to check out at the gate [Music] [Music] remember instead we're going to Botswana just now [Music] then the veterinary regulations kicked in [Music] thank you [Music] I wonder if he's responsible for the road between this Budapest and the next [Music] foreign ER Crossings have been very quick and easy until you enter Botswana the Botswana immigration section and yeah we've just had to see our test done in Namibia that's not good enough for them we've got to go for another set another ones were only done two days ago all about the money [Music] come on baboons foreign [Music] PCR tests we checked into kubi Lodge which had the best accommodation and food [Music] Theory [Music] we spent the rest of the day watching the wild animals walking past our Shelley [Music] our end of day rituals [Music] while waiting for Martin and Julie to join us we took another drive to kazangulo where we again saw our war talk [Music] Martin and Julie joined us at lunch with girls had lots to talk about [Music] the miles on its knees start to actually enjoy them because the males always on his knees the animals freely walked around the garden at the lodge foreign [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] the lodge also had a nature walk where we admired the trumpets or hornbulls [Music] I'm going to work every day for 25 years earned us three days on the luxury houseboat of the Zambezi Queen We quickly cleared the Botswana and namibian immigration paperwork and headed for our well-earned holiday [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] thank you [Music] foreign we went for the first of many boat rides to do some game viewing another hippopotamus hippopotamus Dangerous Ones because he thought it killed a lot of people in Africa [Music] just standing you say it's a tower of giraffe okay if they start moving then you say it's a journey of Europe the journey if they start running then you say it's a streak of giraffe oh that's okay [Music] during our game trips we saw tons of animals and soon realized how dangerous the river must be for the locals with all the crocodiles and hippos [Music] young boys the baby boys will be kicked out from the breeding head on the edge of 12 to 15 years the reason why those young boys will be kicked out from the breeding head to avoid in breathing happen they keep them they leave them in the breeding head we end up meeting with the sisters and their cousins So to avoid that they have to kick them away then they'll join the head which we call The Bachelorette the boys club okay [Music] foreign [Music] insects okay sunsets on the Toby River are as beautiful as the sun rises sunrise on the music Queen beautiful morning after a very early breakfast we were going fishing [Music] [Music] although it was freezing cold in the morning the peacefulness made every moment worth being there [Music] we never caught any fish that morning but it was great spending time together with friends and business partners of 25 years foreign [Music] imagine the lifestyle living on this River if he fell off he would be eaten in seconds [Music] as they say all good things come to an end and so did our amazing three-day houseboat trip we were back on the road going through more Veterinary roadblocks on our way to Elephant Sands [Music] thank you [Music] thank you elephant Sands is not what we expected it was so much more [Music] this is elephant country there are no offenses so one has to be away when walking around the camp [Music] elephant Sands Lodge we go to the bar [Music] sitting at the bar watching the elephants walking freely around the camp priceless [Music] foreign [Music] Martin's turn to get up close to one of these huge wild animals while he was by his car thank you [Music] Martin wasn't the only one to get a taste of danger [Music] scores [Music] what an incredible experience it was to be so close to Nature [Music] thank you completely cold morning of elephants busy [Music] what do you think of this place cold freezing cold yeah and um negative is absolutely amazing we got to be so close to the elephants brilliant very lucky let's wish our kids were there yeah awesome okay I'm hungry you're an elephant steak [Music] [Applause] [Music] so much bread love around here it's beautiful [Music] where did you find this tree what tree after breakfast we left for NATA first visiting an interesting Baobab Tree on my first ride and I saw it [Music] yeah this is a male bear it's called Jewels go stand next to it [Music] [Applause] [Music] the 98 kilometer Road from NATA to Planet Baobab was so bad we drove more off-road than on the tar [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] wasn't much to do at Planet Baobab but the giant ant bear amused some of us before driving on the bad roads back to NATA with a goat's head right of way [Music] Pelican Lodge was the pits and was another victim of covert we made sure we left early in the morning [Music] [Music] we arrived at corner King Lodge mid-afternoon and settled into their awesome River facing Chalet South Africa on the other side [Music] [Applause] [Music] yesterday Martin and Julie left early in the morning as they were driving straight through to Durban we took two days to drive home stopping off at Hartsfield Dam to visit some friends [Applause] after 23 days we arrived back home and the Little Germany earned at stickers cheers the next morning was spent reminiscing and planning our next adventure thank you [Applause] [Music] it was a relief to find out that because of the hectic bad roads the vacuum parts had been pulled off the gymnos gearbox and our gearbox was fine Carmen also came to the party and replaced the faulty GPS foreign [Music] [Music] [Music] hey [Music]

Channel: Gavin Robertson

Views: 1,357

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Id: Po-LIPmSkRg

Length: 68min 10sec (4090 seconds)

Published: Tue Jul 04 2023