RITORNO IN AFRICA

A journey of discovery in Namibia .. a country that contains in itself the most fascinating aspects of ... dunes of the Namib desert to the beautiful landscapes of Damaraland .. sea-lions from Cape Cross to the lions .... dell'Ethosa If you had not already been infected by mal d'Africa years ago certainly would have happened here ... a country difficult to tell that you can give emotions and feelings unique and unrepeatable.

Practical Information:
Tours Self-drive by with companion
Booked through the web on www.evolutiontravel.net
Cost: Euro 2500.00
Organizer of the trip and accompanying Roberto Armani (x promoter and Evolution Travel Guide)

 

Departure

7:55 hours .. We are here on the train. Finally departs for Namibia! E 'stata molto dura (problems with work, family, etc. ..) but we did! We still have before us the entire trip but it does not matter, I am sure that will be an unforgettable journey ... then we will see if the return still think so.
First stop Milan. Check In 10:55 hours .. x Airport Shuttle 11:35 hours, arriving at Linate around 11.55 am and we head immediately to the desks of Alitalia and the face we see Roberto, our guide, because I recognize that the site was also his photos. Already have all the other traveling companions ... we appear to all but a Raffaella which is around the boy.
After several e-mails that we exchanged we finally see in person and so Giuliano, Carlo, Claudia, Raffaele, and Elena, and Roberta Franco e Raffaella and Lucille have a face.
At first glance it seems a good group. I hope we will all agree and that there will be problems.
An employee at the check-in (but very strange type available) agrees to issue our boarding passes, even if it is still early because the flight would take off at 16.00 but because of the strike in place until their 16 is better anticipate everything to avoid inconvenience.
We sit down and begin to get to know then go to the 14 board bags. Roberto has a ticket different from ours, one is electronic and therefore is not to have problems with your luggage on board along with our luggage, which are the lightest.
Finally we board at 15:35 and at 16:00 o'clock takeoff. Fortunately there was a strike! We could not leave on time more than that!
After about an hour we arrived in Frankfurt, where fortunately there is a quiet area on the first floor where there comfortable because we face a long wait, our flight x Windhoek part only to 22:45
Here we begin to chat and talk with Roberto Namibia and what we will see.
I am more and more enthusiastic and I can not wait to get there.
Roberto seems to me a very smart and above all gives me the impression that all this is because he likes and not just x labor since loves Africa and especially Namibia.
I ask him if it is possible for us to travel in the car with him in order to deepen even more knowledge of the country and he says that Lucille has asked the same thing but if the daughter does not regret traveling in another car for him there are no problems.
After a couple of hours we put in the queue at check-in for boarding passes and then we move to the other side of customs, where in reality there is not much. We find a couple of chairs and round we go to take a walk and a coffee.
Finally comes the time to board the plane and take off around 23.15! Namibia'm coming !!!!!!
The plane is not full and so Melissa and I luckily have a row of three across to us so we are a little 'more comfortable.
Just off we serve dinner and then we put ourselves to sleep.

Windhoek

After a series of nap awakenings and changes in position and finally turn the lights and come the hour of breakfast. I can not say that I have slept a lot, but at least some 'and certainly I feel rested and wake up ready to begin a new adventure!
At approximately 5:30 local time, landed. Going down the ladder from the impact with the air clean and crisp in Namibia is pleasant. At the airport are fairly quick and our bags are delivered to us almost immediately.
While waiting for the last Raffa and I go outside to smoke a cigarette and see the little dog we had seen a cage on board in Frankfurt. Poor! Know that that sentence was made all the voyage alone in the aircraft hold! Fortunately that is now free and I feel quite happy.
We are welcoming a dog owner and when we realize that our comrades are exiting the airport and reach.
The type that we will lease the machines we have come to take 2 buses and takes us first of all our accommodation "Little House" where we take the room and leave your luggage, then in central Windhoek.
While he, Roberto, and our fellow drivers and Raffaele Giuliano and second pilots and Carlo Franco, will pick up the car we women and Lucille are free to stroll around the city. We go immediately to the office of exchange to change a 300 euro then head to the supermarket to get something to eat because we are dying of starvation and then take a walk. Not much people around, the city is almost deserted but the shops are open, at least up to one. Around 11 we find ourselves with others and let's go shopping at the supermarket, water and food for lunch the next 2-3 days. Me and I buy 3 cans of water from 5 liters, a few bags of cold cuts, sliced cheese, a 2 liter coke and a packet of biscuits with lemon, paper napkins and a protective tanning oil 15 (you never know at the bottom is cool even if we are ever in Africa!)
Leave the supermarket load everything on auto (3 beautiful Tojota 4x4 almost new) and then do another lap around the city, we stop in a bar to eat something all together (and Me I do not have hunger and take only a portion of French fries in two and a coke).
After lunch we go to see the church close by, shoot some photos but unfortunately is closed and hence fail to enter. While we are looking at a bulletin board hung outside in hopes of being able to understand what time we will close the one who sells pendants made from the fruit of the macadamia very nice and we decide to buy all 5 for $ 11 Namibian ($ 10 each plus 1 U.S. dollars extra for the cord to the skin). A affarone! After having looked at the stalls that are near them. I just stick to a wooden giraffe going well near the fireplace but Roberto told me that it is better to buy the last day so we return them so at least we should not take take with us throughout the trip and I can only be d 'agree with him so we just buy and then decide not to return to "Little House" where, while some go to relax me and I sit in the garden in the sun with Roberto, Claudia, Carlo, Giuliano and Raffaella, but after a while' you back in the room and Claudia, Carlo Giuliano and instead decided to return to the center.
To 16.30 around the sun disappears behind the trees and then a cold dog so we decide to go to make room in the shower to warm up a little '.
The appointment is at 18.30 and then go to dinner at a local restaurant Joe's Restaurant. A really beautiful place and the whole characteristic of wood and macuti with some of the tables outside and inside where others have also placed us (fortunately because it is an evening rather freddina). Wherever we look is something to observe, from zebra skin hanging on the wall at the endless row of empty bottles of jagermaster along the wall, and stuffed animals hanging in the upper room with fireplace in the middle, with stools around the bar with under hung a bucket, with a lapa with fire at the center this evening, unfortunately that was booked by a group and where we could not enter. Truly a great local?. We sit at our table, behind a hot stove on x, and we order what everyone wants.
Me and I chose a giant skewer with pieces zebra, crocodile, kudu, ostrich, chicken and vegetables with French fries that actually looked like pancakes. Excellent dish and the bread was very good. After dinner we have a little curiosity 'for the room and in their shop for souvenirs and then we returned to the B & B where we had a look at the thermometer marked and 8.5 °. Decisamente Pochini, luckily the beds are fitted with soft duvets.

Weltwrede

Alarm at 6.30, breakfast at 7:00 with eggs, bacon, salami, cheese, toast and coffee, then load the luggage on and off-road finally starting! Destination Weltevrede. Me and I climb in the car with Roberto and Lucilla. Carlo, Giuliano, Raffaella and Claudia are in the second car and Raffaele Franco, Elena and Roberta in the third.
We leave the city and take the C26. We are immediately fascinated by the landscape-changing. At one point Roberto sees in the distance a group of animals (not remember me as being orice) and we stop to observe them but are really too far away and start after another po 'time we also see the ostriches, and we see that the third car stopped to take pictures so we decide to do front and behind to join them. We take some photos while ostriches being inside the fence of a property seem so closed in the cage start. After a while 'turn in the D 1265 and we stop the first stop for a pee. Before men and women, all together behind a group of bushes. Fortunately I do not then I need to stay close to your view the panorama. Shortly after we stop again to admire a nest block. I had never seen anything like that, only in the photo, these birds are real engineers! Continue for several kilometers and then turn in D1275 and here it starts to climb up to the Spreetshoogte Pass where, after a curve there appears a panorama breathtaking. We stop in a lay-by where you can enjoy an incredible view and certainly unforgettable, you can see the mountains and down the desert in its various forms and colors in the distance you can even distinguish the beginning of the red dunes of Sossusvlei . E 'veramente fantastico! Extraordinary! Since I do not pull much wind as we feared we decide to stop eating them for lunch and we are preparing to pull the car down our portable fridge. We are preparing a couple of sandwiches to salami and cheese and tasted them admiring the view. Finished eating the last photo shoot, including a group close to our jeep with the Namib in the background and then we are ready to go. Descend by step and understand why Roberto told us that the way it is advisable only in our direction of travel as that stretch of road down you can do without problems but walk uphill in the other direction is another thing as steep and uneven.
Leave the mountains we find ourselves again in the middle of the desert completely covered with thin blades of grass by the light yellow color with the mountains in the background and some jumping gazelles and ostriches that dot the landscape.
Take the C14 direction Solitaire where we stop to fill up fuel and bercé coffee. Immediately after the trip back to the farm where sleep the next two nights with the Weltevrede Guest Farm. "
A beautiful place away from everything with the mountains behind and in front of the Namib. There system in the rooms and then do a walk in the surrounding area up to a lone tree with a nest condominium located a few hundred meters from the farm, where to shoot some great photos. The five are now past and there will come a time 'it is dark so I and Me are going to our room where shoot some photos of the beautiful sunset. We are out on the veranda of our room until it becomes dark and then we decide to return and prepare for dinner that we will be served at 18.30
As usual in a few minutes we are ready and we are approaching the restaurant. The tables are available to us two, we sit down with Franco, Roberta, Roberto and Julian. In the third table is a group of Germans (I think) rather noisy. We need a kind of mousse of tuna (very good) and then the rest is a buffet. The main dish is a kind of sformato springbok with minced meat and cheese or sauce (not clear) really good. Contour of potatoes and vegetables. Sweet. Coffee or tea.
After dinner we pause a moment to look at the sky which in itself is an incredible spectacle many stars are visible and then go to sleep. At 20:40 we're already in bed. The alarm clock for tomorrow is much before then we are going to sleep.

Namib Desert

Alarm at 4.00, we drink a coffee on the fly and load the packages for breakfast that we prepared the lodge and that we use for lunch. To 4:30 am start. Of course pesto is still dark and we have to proceed very slowly for fear that we suddenly cross some animals. Along the way we do with some breakfast biscuit. We arrive outside the gates of the park that is dawned and we put ourselves in line to enter. Before we only have a coach and a couple of machines and once we leave open (all the parks of Namibia opened the gates at dawn and close at sunset, there is a fixed but flexible hours according to the sun and all this for me is wonderful because it makes you live with the rhythms of Africa and of nature).
Gates to the latter we stop and Roberto ago while tickets will take advantage to go to the bathroom and then away again in the car! The route to Sossusvlei is beautiful? Mountains in the distance and the proximity of the dunes that rise rossissime sudden and very high from the ground level are of unique beauty. The sun is rising behind us gives the dunes and beautiful color-changing, and after just not resist and we stop to take some photos then go ahead. At one point parked cars and take their shuttle to travel the last km sandy without much danger of bogged and lose valuable time as well. On the shuttle, discovered, makes a cool dog, I'm already 8 but still the air is frosty. Fortunately that Lucille that makes us bend in two with laughter with a joke on the dunes that will remain in history for the entire trip. Finally we arrive at the destination and a half we suffered frozen to climb a dune near them. The company seems difficult but it is actually easier than it seems from below as walking up the dune on the ridge allows you to move forward without sinking in the sand and then to make less effort. Every time I stop to admire the view that it is something indescribable, to take breath and take off some layer off since starting to do some 'warmer. While walking I do not look around much because I suffer a little 'of dizziness but then when I arrive at the top, I sit and fill my eyes and heart with a view to take your breath away.
They are surrounded by dunes with a thousand shades of color seen in some low areas with green trees and bushes and watch the sky is an intense blue, which creates an incredible contrast with the red color of the dunes.
We take some pictures, we rest a while 'and then decide to get off the side of the dune. I, Me and Roberta calmly because of the cameras and equipment, some of the race and the most courageous rolling.
Walk calmly up to the tree where we rest a while 'and then we start walking to see the famous Dead Vlei, the path is quite long, it's very hot and effort rather' x raggiungerlo but after a short climb up a small dune there opens before our eyes yet another beautiful landscape. Here, in addition to the contrast of blue sky and red of the dunes there is also the white of the Dead Vlei and the black trunks of buckets scattered everywhere. We rest a while 'on the dune (which is just over the hill) until arriving Lucille who was lagging behind and is arrabbiatissimo with us because we have not expected, with Roberto because they understand where he led and with the daughter for he had put "5 pounds of sand dune we climbed without noticed that if increasing your effort all around when there's sand everywhere and that could take it later! (as if he had enough weight to wear with all your photo equipment!)
His comments make us die laughing and tragic thing to fortunately becomes fun, because as soon as Lucille's aware of what has before it takes over immediately and immediately to hand his photographs? (there is to say that Lucille is a lover of photography, has a significant equipment and has a love for nature ex trees in particular then this place for him is like a paradise!)
After a while 'on leave Raffaella hill to take the sun and we all go to make photos and then come back up, we rest a little more' and then head back reluctantly continuing to take pictures continuously. We make a stop at one of the bathrooms along the way and then back to the shuttles that bring us where we left our jeep.
Now it is time for lunch and then take advantage of a table near them and pick our lunch baskets that contained a sandwich with chopped meat (perhaps the remains of dinner last night), a pair with cheese and butter, an apple an egg soda and fruit juice. It was not the greatest but we must be satisfied.
In the meantime, we realized that Raffaele had left the lights on and obviously the battery is discharged so the men get to work and try to restart it with the cables. This is not no result so any of us try to suggest to change the cables, but nobody listens. Finally after much time you decide to try with two pairs of wires together and we succeed. Overcome this little inconvenience we are prepared to share. Gates to make a bathroom stop and Roberto went to ask permission to travel tomorrow to some roads within the park to avoid the main street and enjoy a landscape so much more beautiful. Luckily, permission is granted and we start. Last stop of the day the beautiful Sesriem Canyon in which we make a short walk to the pool of water where we try to identify the footprints of the leopard, but unfortunately during the day is past and too many people are no longer very visible.
Let's go back to the farm to the time of sunset, a beautiful and unforgettable African sunset.
At dinner tonight we change the layout of tables, and Franco Roberta us and are leaving in their place and Claudia Carlo. The first scale, the one served by them is a kind of history of vegetables that they have presented as creamed potatoes (very good) and springbok steaks, all the trimmings and a cake with cream and hot liquid over really good. Finally, coffee or tea as usual.
After dinner we go in camera to accommodate a second then leave the bags to admire the stars and we see that even Roberto, Claudia, Giuliano and Carlo are already out there and join them. We are chatting in the dark up to 22 past and then decide to go to bed.

Going to the coast.....

The next morning wake up early as usual, a last look at our beautiful farm, raised the pool that had not yet noticed, the last photo shoot and then load the bags. At 7:00 we go to breakfast with eggs, bacon, toast and coffee and then on?. Back on the road. Back on the C14 to Solitaire where we stop to redo the full go ahead even then .. Meanwhile, the landscape continues to change? yellow grass gives way to a more arid land then we enter again in the mountains very different from those of previous days, far more bleak and gloomy colors. We address a couple of steps then turn on the road so we asked permission yesterday and of course the landscape changes again. The spaces are infinite, the return of grass and yellow colors of the mountains in the distance, it's amazing. There are no words to describe the beauty of these landscapes. Crossing the D1982 and yet we continue to turn up on 28 C towards Swakopmund. Proseguimo on this road for a while 'then turn back into a driveway to see the plan of welwischia. Needless to say, the landscape continues to change again at some puunto experiencing a kind of beautiful canyon then we reach a flat area with very barren mountains always in the background and eventually come to a point where there are a few examples of welwischia rocks and surrounded by a particularly large millenary is completely fenced and there is even a sort of raised wooden bridge down so you can see from above.
It 'a very strange plant, bruttina but definitely interesting to see.
Taking advantage of the picnic table near them and bathrooms, we decide to stop there for lunch then return back up to a deviation that turn to go from the Valley of the Moon which is a very mountainous area and barren, dark, across the dunes and cunette, with rounded tops, is very difficult for me to describe it but beautiful in its kind and very unique. We take some photos then we continue our journey. Cut back on the C28, and at some point closer to the city of Swakopmund we see that on the right again to see some files like dunes in Sossusvlei but much clearer. Yet early enough advantage of the beautiful day and we continue to Walwis Bay to see the sunset over the sea with pink flamingos. The road from Swakopmund to be Walwis Bay is very beautiful. On one side was the ocean and on the dunes. Walwis Bay is a tourist destination where many Namibian are the second home for the holidays and time since fall is not very crowded.
We arrive around 16.30, we parked and walking along the beach bike path, flamingos and many are also quite close to the shore but as we get closer to photograph them so they turn away after a little 'Me and I will be tired and go back because there is much wind and makes a great cold. We await the sunset sitting on the edge of the bike path, then shoot some photos in the car I am going to take one thing and Raffaella asks me if he can climb into our car because he and his cold is locked, so I look up and the sunset there with her. Obviously it is a beautiful sunset on the horizon but there are some 'of haze is not as he expected.
Now we are almost frozen and the sun just dropped Swakopmund where we start to arrive in less than an hour. We immediately Beach Lodge to welcome us where there is only a guardian of color in uniform that the keys to us and accompanies us to the rooms one by one. I and Me are the latest and fortunately we are quick to preparaci because I am already 19 and at 19.30 we have a table booked at the restaurant.
The place seems nice to us, our room is very beautiful with a huge OBLO as a window and a door that has a terrace overlooking the sea. Now it's dark and you do not see much because the mist is falling.
Let's take a shower on the fly and we dress heavily since it is much colder here on the coast inside and then go down to wait for other glia. As always we are the first even though we went into the last stanza x and then wait. The whole group together for the starting center in the car because it is a little 'distant. The restaurant where dinner is called Kucki's Pub is nice and you eat divinely. They have everything but we opt for the fish. I ordered the Calamari periperi in medium spicy sauce with rice and Melissa fillet of the house which is similar to time served with French fries and then do a half. While we expect the leading order we decide to go out in search of a phone booth because Melissa wants to phone home but find nothing. The city is deserted even though just 20, it is cold and there's a little 'foggy. While we are returning to meet Elena and Roberto and shows us a cabin not far that we had not noticed. I try to call but can not find anyone you Elena. Just return us to eat. Really good. Some even take the cake but I confine myself to a coffee. After that we booked for the evening after the owner gives us a digestive then go back to the hotel and go to bed.

Swakopmund and Cape Cross

We wake up just before 6:30 and opening the window, we realize immediately that it is enveloped by the fog and is quite cold. We dress pretty heavily down to breakfast that is served from 7.00 onwards. The breakfast room is ppiano earth, very nice and overlooks the ocean. The buffet is well stocked, there are meats, cheeses, breads of various types, very good salted croissant, yogurt, fruit, coffee and more, and we serve is a waitress to ask if we even eggs and bacon. Of course we accept and after a 'abundant breakfast we make a leap in the room to take the backpack, on the beach to take some pictures and then leave for Cape Cross. First of all we stop to make gasoline and Melissa will use the opportunity to call home. While we are still at the pump we notice something very strange for us, or a jeep with long fishing rods aggangiate say in front of the camera on the bumper and straight. Do not know how to drive? I first deck or roof sign or printed immediately!
After refueling the back along the C34 which is always a straight path along the skeleton coast. The landscape is rather monotonous, due to the fog that do not want to raise and makes, among others, slimy asphalt and therefore we can not go very fast because it is dangerous. After about 200 kilometers we are finally at your destination. We stop a moment to make the tickets and take advantage to use the toilets then start to come close to the sea where it appears before an incredible spectacle?. An endless expanse of sea-lions? Everywhere you look along the coast there are everywhere. The sea is full. The smell at first seems rather unpleasant, but then you get used to and there is much more appropriate. He rather cold, there is still a lot of mist, seems cloudy and the wind blows. We take some photos and we pause from time to time to observe any in particular. There are some puppies playing, others who take the milk from the mother. There are three measures from little ones to some really enormous. There are also some jackals that wander nearby waiting for the opportunity to eat. At some point I noticed a tiny puppy that had been lost, continued to wander, weeping and closer to the other but all were sending him away, he even tried to take the milk from un'otaria that obviously was not his mother and l ' has hunted with a fin. I continued to observe a long while continuing to move along the beach definitely in search of his mother but has not found. It 'was a heartbreaking scene, I was very impressed and I continued to think about him all day. Poor little who knows if the will was found. As if that were not enough Roberto showed me another puppy to the neck with an iron wire twisted together and I explained that often remain caught in the nets and these wires are twisted into him that when they grow inevitably end up choking. What sadness!
We walked up and down along the wall that defines the theory in their territory and then at 11 we are approximately separable.
When we arrived at Swakopmund was still foggy so we went directly into the center, we parked and we were gathering for the 15 to decide whether to go back to Walvis Bay for the sunset or stay there. The entire group decides to go looking for a pizzeria, but Melissa and I have only one hour of time we do not want to waste it absolutely at the table and so we decide to skip lunch and do a lap. Bob aggregates to us and begin to stroll around the city. We stop in several stores, I buy some postcards and then we come to the beach which is not much. Here, admire the harbor, the lighthouse and stalls full of craft items. I decide to buy a small batik gift to my cousin and begins to contract. I get it for $ 50 but only because I do not want to lose too much time to stop immediately and others to contract. After that we head back towards the center. The time has not alluded to improve so we decide to stay there as much to walwis Bay there was a sunset with the fog and then there was no reason to move. We decide to go to the supermarket to make expenditures for the coming days and we all laugh appointment for the 17th We enter into the supermarket, a stroll ', buy the other water, a little' slices of the potato chips and cashews and then leave.
The others are not seen. Me, Melissa and Roberto decided to carry backpacks at the hotel and spending and then come back again there. By now we had already seen everything and then just walk around the city admiring some churches and the beautiful colored buildings including the old railway station. We take some photos then go back. Now is the time of the meeting and while Roberto goes to the supermarket to buy chocolate we are entering a couple of shops to look for batteries that Melissa had seen before but there is not the right size, and so waive.
Back at the hotel, as there is enough time I decide to wash your hair, yet it as usual come down that there is no one yet. But what room is that people will never be ready?
As expected we return from Kucki's. Me and Melissa decided to take the prawns that had taken all'aglio Raffa and Lucille the night before and that inspired us a lot of steak and calamari with lemon crisps then as usual we are divided in half. A really good dinner. I must say that the fish in this restaurant is really delicious!
While we are at the table Carlo (and who else but the joker of the group?) Lists the nicknames that have meant to us during the day by car. Roberta becomes "Nonna Papera" and Franco "Super Mario". Claudia "Amelia," Carlo "Puffo BRONTOLON" Giuliano "Archimedes Pythagorean" Raffaele "Topo Gigio" Elena "Clarabella" Melissa "the Cat" and I "the Fox." Roberto had already been decided for "Il grillo parlante" Lucille "Daddytelekids and Raffaella" Donkey "
I must admit that some nicknames are very successful and some even find a certain similarity.
The evening after all was fun and come back at the hotel reluctantly.

Crossing Damaraland...

Alarm clock early as usual. Breakfast at 7:00 Latest photos of the room and the hotel and then we start. We stop for a while to make new fuel
Initially we follow the C34 and the landscape is always to yesterday, and with the usual fog then luckily around Henties Bay turn inwards towards the C35 uis.
The landscape is very flat at the beginning, an infinite expanse of desert and dry arid then as you move away from the coast and fog abandons us, we find the blue sky, the sun and the more I pushed inwards again to more appear in the new colors, grass, bushes and mountains. At some point we leave the C35 (the resume below) and cut some secondary roads in order to go even further and landscapes are even more beautiful.
There are no words to describe them simply must see them.
The only thing I can say is that they are wonderful, the streets of some red canyon, the massive Branburg seen from afar, the vast savannah, the reddish copies?. Everything is beautiful and there is never tired of being glued to the nose with the window because everything changes all the time and ground kilometers after kilometers without realizing it.
The first stop of the day do at some shacks in the mining area where they are welcome to a couple of women indecipherable bringing a tray with different stones and minerals to sell.
We stop a 'them and leave them a tank of water and some clothes and then start.
Second stop at a booth with some girls to leave the crossing of the new C35 and take the first road in 2612 li po 3254 and finally 3214 to reach the area of pittture rock. After a while 'but start at a certain point we stop on top of a hill from which we see a truly fantastic landscape with beautiful colors, shoot some beautiful pictures then away again. Finally arrived in the area of the cave paintings view the time we decide to have lunch under a canopy situated near them then since it is still very hot at first we see the organ pipes that are in a canyon a short distance and then return them and do a short walk looking at the paintings on the rocks? who knows if they are really as old as they say??
Just finished the walk back to the car and we start towards Xorixas to get to the lodge before sunset.
After almost a couple of hours driving we arrive finally all'Igwati lodge which is almost dark and before long we are assigned rooms which are very beautiful and especially carartteristiche. The roof is makuti and wooden beams are visible. The beds and furniture and everything in African style with bedspreads and curtains printed with the same leopards.
The rooms are very nice but a little 'dark and having looked at the ceiling and the numerous web, given the fact that we are now second Roberto already in the area and there are malarial mosquitoes decide to pull out of our luggage to our mosquito nets that hang above the beds with ease thanks to the beams and the ropes which we brought from home.
After we arranged a quick shower .. a good dash of Autan, we dress and after turning a zampirone go out for dinner and as usual we realize that we are the first.
We will be us too fast or too slow the other?! I do not understand why? ..
Here as usual exit Roberto and all are going to do a tour of the lodge in the corner shop where there are the usual souvenirs, T-shirts, dolls, wooden objects and beautiful ostrich eggs with beautiful designs. There are a couple that I really piaccciono a casino but rather 'care and I decide to let it go. Curiosity still some 'then we go to the table.
Dinner was excellent as always and after it were also a spettacolino of tribal dance. Carino?.
Before going to bed Roberto Carlo and we talked a little 'of the safari and especially of how we should lead in the park tomorrow ethos. In particular we were told of how one must be cautious in the presence of elephants that if you incavolano can become dangerous and must be ready to flee if we do not want to become meatballs. Good speech? we hope that drivers have understood!
Inside the park there is no off the machine and must remain silent when it was still the wells so as not to disturb the animals and the other tourists who may be in the area.
Also we must not fire the flash in the eyes of animals that may in this case rightly upset!
We hope that everyone will behave well and not make fools?. Would not it be nice to have us recognize as Italians everywhere tantomento will be attacked by an elephant half blinded by a flash!

Ethosa Park - Okaukuejo

As always I and me, we wake up soon and when we left the room the only one of us that we met was Roberto. Together we went a little 'around the lodge as the night before it was dark and we could not see well. In the garden there are several animals including an ostrich, peacocks and a monkey and in the vicinity of the dining room there is also a swimming pool.
We take some photos then saw that the others do not decide to get breakfast.
Returning to the room we meet others who are quietly starting to discover that the restaurant and Raffaele during the night was bad stomach and has not slept a much. Since yesterday was a little 'too bad Franco for me was because of air conditioning machine that uses all the time? Luckily we're in the car well without and do not ever run by mutual agreement.
However in the end decide to drive the same and just starting spot. .. destination park Ethos?. across the road is paved up to the entrance of the park so we can proceed fairly quickly and in a couple of hours in fact arrive.
After a stop at the entrance to the tickets we head immediately to the nearest puddle.
The landscape here is barren and dusty? there are no more mountains? is very gravelly? shrubs but there are not very green. Just arrived at the pool Ombika meet immediately a car of tourists who warns us that the pool of Olifantsbed are the lions and then we leave immediately.
Here we are in front of the puddle of Olifantsbed ... we look around and see many Springboks, Oric, impala, a warthog, some giraffes, un'elefante that is drinking the puddle and you see that a hundred meters our first lion! To tell the truth is a lioness and is sitting in the shade of a few solar panels that tune a little 'with the surrounding environment but which are probably needed to operate the pump that feeds the pool.
After a while 'that we see rises and goes to spread a little' farther away in some trees and bushes. Carefully observing the scene we see that in fact lying in the shade of the trees there is another lioness and come with at least a couple of puppies but hidden by bushes and then remain for a while 'glued to the binoculars in the hope that the puppies are brought out but we are not so fortunate.
In return, however, at some point we see come from our shoulders a large herd of elephants that parade to go to the next puddle. The emotion is too much because we spend very close and after all the warnings and Roberto stories about these magnificent and huge quadrupedi we feel slightly intimidated, then we see them in silence as you approach the water and start drinking and washing. The flock will consist of ten members of various tonnage including two small to medium size and a beautiful puppy.
We look enchanted until it decides to leave, then we imitate them, and we head to the nearby toilet and then depart in the direction of Campo di Okaukuejo making a brief stop at the puddle of Gemsbokvfakte where there were an incredible number of zebras and giraffes .. have been hundreds .. a beautiful spectacle! We arrived at the field systems in the bungalows, which are for 4 people and one for the car.
The bungalows are nice, just enter there is a small kitchen, bathroom and two bedrooms. In a course there I systemic and Melissa and the other Roberto and Lucilla. Now it's too late then we are a couple of sandwiches and then we decide to leave again to go to the pool where Roberto Okondeka the last time he had seen a family of lions. Melissa and I decided to go behind the box to give more space to the two photographers in front and be even more liberal of us to take pictures without having always before a mega teleobbiettivo! Unfortunately, however, is not very comfortable especially since there is the spare wheel which takes place a lot .. speriamo bene!
Arriving near the puddle we see several cars still on the road but not capendone why we continue to puddle. Arrived in the neighborhood look good then we return the point where there are machines, and while still in the distance we see a couple of lions lying in the sun we see that there is one fact, one lying just a few meters from us. Beautiful! Incredible? so close I was to ever see them even in Kenya? really fantastic emotion. We took some photos and we were to observe them until we saw them get up and probably starting to go hunting as you are positioned in a fan with the male behind. Unfortunately, now approaching the time of sunset and reluctantly velocemnte start to return to camp in time before they close the gates. On the way to seeing a beautiful sunset and even try to photograph him but who knows what will be seen off the bounce of off-road?
We are at 19.30 for dinner in the restaurant field and then we end the evening at the enchanted pool where we can see all these animals coming to drink safely and frolicking in front of our eyes just a few meters away heedless of the tourists who are watching and photograph.
Among the animals seen within hours in this first evening at camp there were apart from the usual Springboks also a lion, a jackal, the giraffes, elephants and rhinos, including several large copy with your puppy that the trotterellava by side.
This place is really beautiful ... just be patient and wait and you parade before our eyes a lot of different species!
You could stay here forever but Melissa collapses from sleep and saw that the alarm will be tomorrow before we decide reluctantly to go to sleep.

Ethosa - Okaukuejo

Alarm prestissimo x be ready to leave as soon as the gates open at 6.20 or around dawn. We of course we are prepared well in advance and even if not everyone is so fast we can leave enough time and now we head to the pool of x Okondeka seek the family of lions yesterday sera.Appena there seems to arrive all desert then we notice a head emerge from a distant hill quite slowly and carefully observing with binoculars, we realize that there are more than several lionesses some say cuccioli.Devo that we are just lucky, but sin that we are here now in spite of a lot 'have not yet decided adi coming out and so we continue to see them only at times and far away.
Me and Melissa, and Roberto course we stayed here all day x see if they move, but others prefer to go and then a tour x ripartiamo.Facciamo the puddles near them but not find anything particularly interessante.Ci stop to photograph some squirrels ground, a yellow mangoose and a jackal that intrigued us look then go back to the bungalow campo.Non x not waste time and we stop at the entrance to the park where there are shops and especially the bathrooms and then start to a new area the park. First stop the puddle of Newbrownii. Go shoot some photos, especially at orice zebras and then start immediately after x stop along the road. Xchè This is a car stopped on the edge of the road over a bridge and now we understood that if there is anyone still looking good means that there is something interesting to see it and its occupants will whisper that under the bridge (hardly a big cement pipe that crossed the road) there are lions with kittens .. fantastic! I can not believe what luck ..! You approach the car from the opposite side of the street and see a lion lying sleeping just a few meters away. Moving quickly in the car probably would not even notice because the color of his coat camouflages it with that of low bushes that surround it. We marvel at some x 'to observe and photograph them, and at some point something happens that's wonderful ... that gets up and slowly approaches the car to us that I find under my window (which is open of course! !). Our eyes meet for a few seconds .. obviously not very interested because after a while there decided to resume its path and move away slowly walking along the road .. Cavolo that emotion! E 'stato bellissimo! I will never forget this moment .. And to think that when I booked the trip I have made almost exclusively to see the desert and these days I all'Ethosa seemed almost superfluous! How I was wrong .. without taking anything away from the desert and the beautiful landscapes seen so far that they also made me try out strong emotions, here is a continuous discovery, continuous sorpresa.Ma basically now I realized that Africa is generally to be so .. every aspect gives you something and makes you try hard feelings that try elsewhere.
I have traveled a lot and I saw really beautiful places, but the emotions that I am from Africa I have not ever tried anywhere. It 'difficult to explain these feelings, you should try them and I think that only those who have already been in Africa I can capire.Tornando to us, in the hope of seeing the puppies decide to stay a little' and as we look the other 4 lions that are near the bridge at some point we emerge from under their own street! Two beautiful baby about 1 month and a half with the hair still arruffato everything that goes into a lioness lying un po 'in lontananza.Trotterellando slowly with the uncertain gait and Metten reach to take the milk then quietly stiracchiano un po' and return to their tana.Troppo beautiful! It 'incredible, I am increasingly incantata.Un' emotion behind each other and above all great fun! We are still a little 'to observe the adult but there is little trace, and so after a while' we decide to return to camp for lunch. As usual, I still stay here until tonight, but unfortunately we are in a group and we andare.Tornati to the field give us time to leave again after one or two hours. I, Melissa Roby and eat something quickly tribunetta sitting in front of the puddle of Okaukuejo observing the savannah that surrounds us and the animals that vegono and drink at the pool will not resist the idea of wasting time sitting them and decide to leave immediately and again join us the components of the second car, or that of Julian. So we decide to make a turn at the bridge of the lions and then return to the field to return the other set at the start.
Arrived at the bridge that's now two male lions drawn beside the road, very close and lovely. I am very young, Roberto thinks that about 2 years have in fact have only a hint of mane. There are also female. They, too beautiful. We look long in and out from under the road and just a certain point we notice that there are also puppies. They're sleeping just outside the tunnel under the road. I am one over the other and are sweet! I can take a couple of photos and even if you could not try whispering to attract their attention to see if they move but they continue to stay blessed. ono stupendi.mi is willing to take them into arm fatigue and accarezzarli.Che remain in the car at a time like this! But luckily there are these regulations putting the brakes if no risk of me Sbrana .. now it is time to recover and return the other to the field and then divide subito.Alla fine not resist and we end with the return back to the bridge. Pup unfortunately no trace, but there are adults and therefore systemic, and we begin to observe. In the end we do a little 'accounts and we think that the group is composed of 5 lionesses, lions, 2 young and 2 puppies, strangely we have not seen any adult male, who knows if there is or if it does not pack it?! At some point the other two machines decide to return because they want to get there in time to the field to be able to see the sunset from the pool of Okaukuejo. We are still somewhat 'but that is not seen nothing special puppies and do not see the end we decide to include us and obviously beyond the speed limit allowed in the park we arrive just as the sun disappears on the horizon . Beautiful .... as always. We stop a little 'puddle then go to the room to prepare for dinner. The appointment is for dinner at 19.30 at the restaurant but since we at 19.00 we were ready we decide to go a little 'to go ahead pozza.E an extraordinary spectacle .. At some point begin to get herds of elephants from all the parties ... The pool is completely surrounded .. try to count them but lose the account to the fifty move too .. and there are puppies of all sizes that emerge from behind the adults constantly .. Can not count them! I tanti.E truly 'incredible .. it seems that all the data here at this meeting. Unfortunately, now is already past 19:30 and then reluctantly we move to the restaurant.

Halali

Today we leave the camp and move to Okaukuejo Camp Halali however we decide to do so after the first exit and as yesterday's destination Okondeka. 6.20 hours emerge from gates, after about half an hour we arrived at the pool ... even if we just left the gates open, there are already some cars and we take a pure sgridata because we have placed in front of another means and they will prevent the viewing even though not seen nothing yet! After a while 'Roberto with his usual view from falcon can find some puppies playing behind a small dune covered with bushes. We long to observe them in the hope of approaching a po 'but unfortunately they always remain in the area. But are five litters of two different two are slightly more children. The adults there are, are probably gone hunting .... Expect a couple of hours but the situation does not change so we decide to return to the field. Along the road spotted the carcass of a zebra recognizable only by the feet on which stand out even the black and white stripes.
Arrived to load the luggage area, shoot the latest photos and leave for an area further east where the range Halali. Along the way we stop at the puddle jumper and Newbrownii but our pack of lions, unfortunately, no trace even if the animals appear to pool a lot at attention as if there was a danger in the area.
Along the road to reach the field before passing Halali different pools but do not find anything particularly interesting. It happens several times to have to stop because the road is occupied by herds of zebras or elephants or even Springboks and we have to wait until they pass through more or less quickly depending on the tonnage. The landscape changes several times, alternating areas with trees and bushes to barren areas with few tuft of grass then we are in the middle of a bush completely covered by high grass yellow ... this is the realm of the cheetah but no trace of him, only Springboks, gnu and zebra. The only thing we see in this section is a large group of vultures that are cibando of a carcass hidden to our eyes dall'erba .. luckily!
As we move towards the east the landscape changes again and again we find ourselves in a dense thicket. Everywhere there are obvious traces of the passage of the elephants that we see again in the bush .. are really wonderful! Around 13:00 we arrive at the field and take possession of our bungalow 3. Even here we maintain the formations of the car and then we arranged with Roberto and Lucilla. The bungalows are the most beautiful and newest of those Okaukuejo but only one bedroom, which our people will give in chivalry, and two twin beds in the kitchen where they will settle. The bedroom is very spacious and has a carpet on the floor and also the conditioner and the bathroom is much more luxurious than the other field. After having arranged and ate something emerge again in the hope of finding the rhinos and leopards, but unfortunately, despite me almost blinded by dint of searching among the trees and over every branch of them not even the shadow except when we have been able to glimpse for a moment the seat of a rino that went on between the thicket quickly. We stop at the puddle of ... where we have been this morning but there are only so many giraffes, Springboks, kudu, zebra and beautiful birds from blue-green plumage. Witness the feeding of a young zebra but lions and other felines no trace. We continue to turn ... see groups of impala from black muzzle and "mice", a beautiful male kudu long twisted horns and several giraffes, whose long neck there is even above the trees.
While we return to camp after a curve we see a bus that is stopped photographing an elephant very close to them and quite possibly incavolato because of a flash and then keep the distance and let him pass without hindrance. Along the road shooting some pictures at a stunning sunset and I do leave the gate because I want to photograph the huge elephant skull which is placed in front.
I make a stop in the shop and then I reach the other bungalows to prepare for a dinner. Instead of the restaurant area is almost desert here and we too are less than usual because Raffaele, Elena, Roberta and Franco decided to make spaghetti in their kitchen. After dinner we reach the other and let the puddle in the car because it is a 'remote and mostly because the road is very dark and bumpy. The puddle of Halali is very different from that of Okaukuejo, we must climb to reach it on a rocky hill on which we give in, some on the few benches scattered here and there, some on the rocks and the pool is located just below us. E 'small but very charming and perhaps most beautiful of the other. We observe several kidnapped elephants, two of which will also bring to court insisted un'elefantessa but does not want to know. The silence of the African night is interrupted only by the sound of animals arriving, drink and then go away and time to time by the roar of a cat in the distance. Among the various ways animals suddenly you hear a roar that seems very close. According to Roberto is not a lion but a leopard and then remain in silence to wait in the hope that comes out suddenly from between the bushes and come to drink in front of us.
The cold is more pungent and slowly drop out of almost every puddle. We only me, Roberto, Melissa and Julian on a bench and a few others nearby. The weariness of the long day begins to be felt and is always cold, but every time we decide to go a roar echoed in the bush and we retain them in silence and immovable, but no trace of the feline and end past midnight we give up and go asleep means frostbite from the cold.

Ethosa and Okonjima

Last day at the park .. sin .. Ethosa Alarm at dawn as usual, 1 coffee on the fly and then are ready way before the gates x this last day of safari. We stop in several wells, some close to the pan and beautiful but completely dry and without animals. The idea would be to go to the bridge to see if we find our pack of lions with kittens, but then, thinking that are still difficult because there were not even yesterday, we decide to head towards the pool of saving Gemsbokvfakte so long and probably unnecessary detour. Shortly before reaching the pool on the left we see a few tens of meters from the road a lioness lying quietly in the sun and we pause to observe it. I look around looking for the rest of the pack but I do not see anything. Roberto decided to move to the pool but after a while I stopped because I see three shapes on the right who are catching up slowly and I seem to be lions. Are still very far on the horizon and Roberto zebras are saying that again but I just block because I am not convinced and just do a look with the binoculars I realize that I had just ragione.Sono lions! Now I have the eye of exploration! We arranged with the off-road across its pointed in their direction and the others we put a few dozen meters from us, but parallel to the road e.. incredible but true .. the lions are slowly approaching and the entire flock there goes a few inches and in the middle between our cars. And guess some '? And 'our flock jumper! There are all .. 5 lionesses, the two boys and our two beautiful puppies that will pass just below the window .. I'm beautiful! I can not just believe! What luck! And what timing! We look away slowly towards the pool and start and we parked as close as possible to the pool but unfortunately there are other cars and buses and we need to put aside. Here the pool itself is like a pit dug in the ground and drop to drink when we see them but no luck to go back soon and sit around. Then another thing happens exceptional .. in front of us in the distance you can see lions occur more slowly. Currently only a couple of dots, but as you approach I see that one of them is a beautiful adult male with a thick mane. Bellissimo! I finally saw a male adult, was the only one that I was missing! Probably belong to two different schools because when newcomers come to the pool "our flock" has already placed a little 'more distant. Suddenly the lions begin to ruggire.Che emotion! Who knows what you are saying? I try to take everything with the camera but I do not know if you feel well because instead of listening to silence in my car still chat!
After a while 'change our position and we arranged in order to better observe our original flock, the one with the puppies at this time that are all nicely laid out in the sun to a hundred meters from the pool. One of them moves away from the group and the animals around, many among zebras, Oric and others, a nervous start but nothing happens until a certain point one of the lions that until shortly before it was apparently lying quiet suddenly gets up and runs towards a orice which is a few meters away and here in a few seconds the orice is also attacked by other lions and no longer route scampo.E 'was a truly exciting spectacle to see, some brutal and cruel but that's how life goes here in the bush .. x Everyone must eat to survive and everyone does it his way.
The lions of the pack at first it seems that you probably want to bring to bring him off the food but then they turn away quietly of course .. probably already have the full belly! We all four a little 'shaken and shocked that he had yet seen anything because it is not so easy to happen at the right time and watch a game from so close. Our "bottom" has no limits!
Unfortunately, it happened all so quickly that I could not take pictures or to return anything to avoid wasting precious moments.
As usual we would be left them to look again for hours but unfortunately today is the last day and we need to move towards the exit of the park and then get Okonjima where we hope to see the leopards and cheetahs. The gates of the park do a small break to go to the bathroom and here, fortunately happens a very funny episode because of the lack of Raffaella through which this can finally stop crying (it was hunting very impressed). Leave from the park and we are on the road to the south. After crossing Outjo and Otjiwarongo rossissima turn into a dirt road that we follow for about twenty miles until you reach the Okonjima Lodge (www.Okonjima.com) which is also home dell'Africat Foundation (www.africat.org) that deals with the conservation of large carnivores in Africa in a special way of leopards and cheetahs. The place is beautiful in the middle of a green incredible. The house is beautiful with a huge dining room completely open on one side with a beautiful wooden table at the heart carved on a huge trunk of course. The open side faces the lapa ... a sort of lounge area with armchairs and a semicircle in the middle of a gravel area in the evening on which it supports the circle of metal on which you turn on the bonfire.
After a warm welcome and a light lunch will assign rooms. Our and that of Roberto and Lucille are in a separate house in the middle of a verdant garden. The room is decorated in beautiful African style with a double bed and one single bed, both with mosquito nets above. The bathroom is wonderful with all the rocks on demand and a beautiful furniture in this style of Africa. In the vast garden is also a small swimming pool with deck chairs and loungers for sunbathing but unfortunately we as usual we do not have time now because after a while curiosity 'around and took some photos of it is already meeting pearl in delicious snack and shady corner of the garden where we serve tea, coffee and various cakes but I can not even try to because they are still full from lunch. Sin .. say they are excellent! And now away! In search of leopards. 2 off-road climb to the appearance very experienced, discovered and several rows of benches in scale so that those behind have the same view as those in front. We start to spin by opening and closing high electrified gates that allow us to move from one area to another of their proprietà.Il vast landscape is very beautiful but the paths are full of bad holes, and large stones often pass through at high thorny bushes that threaten to slam into faccia.Ogni so we stop to use a kind of radar antenna that serves to warn the signal issued by the collars of leopards tracked but nothing to do ... who knows where they are hunted! At some point we stop at a vantage point on top of a mountain from where to shoot several photographs beautiful savannah below but still no signal traccia.Ormai was late and almost no longer count when we find it here ..

........

... is under a tree seeds hidden by bushes but a few meters from noi.E'1 splendid and huge sample maschio.Bellissimo After a little 'noise of our "off-road-wheeled" the scare, gets up bored and leaves disappearing fast among the thick bushes. Sin! At this point there just at sunset and we are going to return to the lodge e.. .. Surprise along the way at some point we see a second smaller leopard, perhaps the female, who walks ahead of us along the path. Unfortunately, it is almost dark and you do not see much but I must say that our now legendary back again entered into operation!
Returned to the room we see that there are many strange insects like tiny bugs ... che schifo! Not enough mosquitoes?! After the shower we sprinkle completely repellent and sprayed it everywhere in the room then go out for dinner.
After dinner (excellent) 21:00 to lead us out of the lodge to observe the animals at the pool .. We start walking in single file ... the darkness is total, the sky is beautiful and as always full of stars .. we feel very comfortable ... the fear of being attacked by a cat occasionally peeping in our thoughts! After a few minutes we arrive at a hut, enter and sit. We are practically in the dark here, just outside there is a small spotlight that illuminates a small puddle. Roberto says that now one of the founding of the boys should go beyond the electrified fence and overthrow of kitchen scraps on the ground to attract animals but time passes and no one comes out. We wonder why then we realize that the reason is simple .. a few meters from us right next to the entrance of the fence there's a cheetah placed on hold and then food for the children it is impossible to enter, is too dangerous. Aspettiamo un po 'in silence ... and observing the large opening that is in the hut to observe me off is the thought that if a cheetah decides to jump in and eat here instead of the surpluses we do not think it would be very difficult for him .... Better not think about it.
At one point the boys decide to enter the same armed with sticks electrified and can reverse the bag without problems. Done this arrive just a couple of big porcupines restiamoli but even if a little 'do not see anything because obviously the other animals are frightened by the presence of the cheetah that keeps wandering nearby.
After a little 'back to the lodge. Almost all after just go to sleep. Roberto I, Melissa, and some children of the foundation remain seated around the fire talking. The atmosphere is beautiful and remain here until tomorrow, especially since this is our last evening in Africa and I would not ever end.

Okonjima - Windhoek

Last day in Namibia .. Unfortunately we are now at the end of the journey but we are still in front of a beautiful day. Alarm clock at dawn and then go and see the cheetahs. Take coffee on a kind of terrace below us with two splendid lions, one male and one female. They are beautiful and huge, maybe even a little 'obese, perhaps due to the fact that they are fed by the foundation and not waste much more energy to hunt.
Finally I have a male lion to photograph a few meters away and I realize that you have both batteries! I can not believe ..... and now how do I do?!
While the other end of drinking the coffee I make a leap into the room and up a flight of batteries ... I do not have much time but a few minutes better than nothing no?!
Shortly after starting again on the off-day before but this time we go in the pens of cheetahs.
We stop near a small hill and just minutes after arriving several cheetahs (nine I think ..) that surround us and are close in search of food .... One sees that are used to being fed from the foundation! However, I am beautiful even if the same are some 'bad and for this they have followed. We took lots of photos (they were so close that when ever there Ricapito a chance of that kind!) And then we come to the clinic where we have explained several interesting things about the foundation and animals that try to help.
Here we are back to the lodge .... We are in for a superb breakfast with a chef in the garden preparing eggs, bacon and sausage on time, within sliced cheese, and more .... Last breakfast in Africa ... What sadness! Tomorrow at this time we are already in Italy or at least in Europe!
After breakfast a final and definitive stowed baggage and then route to Windhoek, where, while men go to return the car we have a po 'di tempo x recent purchases of the stalls in the center and finally able to buy the much-desired giraffe Wooden high more than a meter .... There are so many beautiful objects in wood, and buy everything but fortunately had to return by plane and thus having little place and a weight limit and can purchase (in addition to the giraffe) only a small elephant, and a bracelet for me and some small animals in wood for the daughter of a friend of mine.
Time passes quickly and the time comes to leave for the airport .... Along the route the buses of car look out the window and I already miss the best moments of this trip, the beautiful landscapes, animals and Africa in general, I feel sad, I would not start but unfortunately now we have arrived and we expect the plane to Italy the only thing that helps me overcome the sadness of departure is the certainty that sooner or later return. Maybe not in Namibia but in another country of this beautiful and unique continent called Africa.
Arrivederci Africa .... See you soon .. prestissimo indeed ... and thanks for all that you gave me.
Thanks also to Roberto, our fantastic guide without which there would have been the same thing and my traveling companions.