The Namibian Dunes – Part 2 - Deadvlei

The long dead trees are 600 years old.  The floor is a salt pan, fractalated by the burning sun evaporating the rare rains.  The result is a set design from a Tim Burton movie.  As the dawn migrates across the lake bed it is stunningly beautiful – the trees, the shadows, the tessellated floor, the ancient wood

                

  

  

As the sun rises we move out of the vlei.  A young lady – retracing our route – is silhouetted against the dunes.  The heat is turning the salt pan into a frying pan

 

While walking out we are accosted by a small bird.  It is an experience from our time in Galapagos.  We stop and put down a capful of water and the bird drinks.  Thirst trumps fear

Across the dune valley recently arrived tourists are climbing Big Momma.  The heat is becoming intense. We are glad to have done our dune climbing in the pre dawn cool

Into the truck and a short drive to one of Randy’s favourite spots where we have a bush breakfast.

Again, the small birds come begging for water – we, of course, comply

 

As we leave the park we stop at the famous “Dune 45”.  It’s the most accessible dune from the entrance gate, especially for those wanting to see the sunrise. But Randy thinks it’s too crowded!

 

The drive out in daylight reveals vistas we missed in the morning darkness, including a massive wall of dancing crimson sand

And at last we get a photo of an oryx – not a very good one, though!  We are falling in love with oryx.  They prance across the scaling hot sand, have gorgeous colour and straight black horns.  As we write this we are in northern Namibia, have seen dozens of oryx and still don’t have a great shot (this one is blown up from a telephoto through the windshield)

And then Randy pointed out the Namibian crop circles.  On one side of the valley are circles 5 to 6 feet in diameter that are biologically dead.  Randy told us no one knew why.  We – with hubris – said we would find out.  Internet searching proved that “no one knows why”.  Points to Randy. We continue to search.

Next – Sossus Dune Lodge

Comments

[Lee Chase]

I am speechless! The beauty in all these photos is amazing. But I do feel sorry for the little birds. wow, just wow... what an amazing experience.

[Pauline Drake]

Breathtaking photos and have loved every post of your amazing journey!

[April]

Thirst trumps fear. I like that.

[Marta]

Your photos are gorgeous. We did not make it to Deadvlei. Even so - the dune area is so amazing. I loved Dune 45. We climbed early in the morning and I still remember the feel of the cool soft sand on our bare feet as we ran down from the top. Your camp look fabulous. It must have been great being so close. We self-drove and didn't get to start until 7am at the gates. That road had so many potholes we didn't make to Dune 45 until about 8:00-8:30. I remember when returned how different it looked in the noon sun.