February 28 2026 - Exploring Cape Towns Waterfront

February 28 2026 - Exploring Cape Towns Waterfront

Location: South Africa Summary: Today was Gert-Jan's last full day with our travel group, so I wanted to make it memorable despite the low-hanging clouds obscuring Table Mountain. We started by relocating to a new accommodation just a block away from the beach - the previous place had been rented to someone else, but this worked out perfectly since the new house had an extra bed for the upcoming changeover when my nephews Ron and Chris arrive tomorrow. After getting settled, we explored Bos Strand a bit more before heading to Cape Town. This was essentially Gert-Jan's first real look at the city since he'd flown directly to meet me in Windhoek after his initial landing. The cloudy weather made Table Mountain less spectacular and ruled out going up it, so we decided to visit the District Six Museum instead. The museum was incredibly moving - it tells the story of how this vibrant neighborhood was destroyed during apartheid when the area was designated for white redevelopment. Even though I knew some of this history, experiencing it firsthand was still difficult to comprehend - the complexity of apartheid's impact, both its devastating wrongs and the resilience it sparked. We drove around Cape Town's scenic areas, passing between Table Mountain and Lion's Head, then along the waterfront. The waterfront reminded me of Alki Beach in Seattle - bustling with people, restaurants, and activities. Despite the overcast weather, it turned into a beautiful day. We ended up dining at the same restaurant in Malmö Strand again - when you find a good place, why change? The evening was filled with reminiscing about our incredible two weeks together, all the deserts we'd seen, and the challenging roads we'd conquered. Having Gert-Jan along for this journey has been amazing. Every travel configuration has its unique magic, whether you're traveling solo or with a large group.

February 27 2026 - First Time in Cape Town: Dutch Consulate & Table Mountain

Location: South Africa Summary: I was thrilled to finally reach Cape Town for the first time on this Friday, February 27th. While Gert-Jan took a rest day, I ventured out alone, starting with breakfast at an Omul Bakery near Melkbos Strand that served traditional Dutch pastries. Before leaving, I met an enthusiastic group of Zimbabwean maintenance workers who were excited about my journey and even looked up my website after seeing it on my car. The drive to Cape Town was spectacular, with Table Mountain visible in the distance on this beautiful day. The traffic was relaxed, though I had to remember to drive on the left side. Entering Cape Town after crossing the entire continent felt like a significant achievement. In the city, I saw an impressive building with portraits of Mandela and others. My main task was visiting the Dutch consulate to apply for a new business passport, which went smoothly without an appointment. The helpful staff assured me it would be ready within a week, saving me the trouble of picking it up elsewhere since the Durban consulate no longer exists. I met some Portuguese travelers who visit southern Africa annually and were buying their own Toyota instead of renting. Later, I rejoined Gert-Jan, who had enjoyed swimming in the Atlantic Ocean and made friends with local lifeguards. We ended the day perfectly with dinner at an Italian trattoria, walking through what seemed to be a charming tourist community about thirty minutes north of Cape Town.

February 26 2026 - Journey to Cape Town: Dutch Passport & Overland

Location: South Africa Summary: Today I made my way from Garies toward Cape Town, planning to visit the Dutch consulate tomorrow morning to apply for a new Dutch passport. The journey took me through beautiful South African countryside where I observed extensive grape vineyards covered with protective cloth to keep birds away - a reminder of South Africa's renowned wine industry. I visited Duncan, who runs the incredibly helpful Overland Now WhatsApp group that he started in 2022. This group connects travelers throughout Africa, sharing vital information about visas, road conditions, and weather from Morocco to Tanzania. I originally joined through three Dutch travelers I met in Cotonou while applying for DRC visas. Duncan's place, about 50 kilometers north of Cape Town, operates like a farm with outbuildings where he stores vehicles and motorbikes for overlanders, also helping with vehicle imports and exports. Since Duncan had no accommodation available, Gert-Jan and I headed to Melkbosstrand, a popular area with many Airbnbs. Without reservations, we took a chance and successfully found a well-appointed apartment with separate rooms for each of us for two nights - perfect timing for Gert-Jan's upcoming departure. The building even features an unusual glass-enclosed swimming pool on the second floor, visible from the street. The friendly owners made our unplanned stay even more pleasant.

February 25 2026 - Border Crossing to South Africa Adventure

Location: South Africa Summary: Today was our changeover day as Gertjan and I crossed the border into South Africa. We make a great team - I handle all the driving while he takes care of navigation and communication. The border crossing from Namibia went smoothly since we were the only ones there, giving everyone plenty of time to process us. I didn't need to use the Carnet de Passage since it covers multiple Southern African countries. The only delay was due to having a different passport than when I entered Namibia, so they had to look up my entry records and make notes. The weather was nice and warm, so the wait wasn't bothersome. Our original plan was to stay in Springbok, but we hit an unexpected challenge - a South African government event was happening there, bringing crowds from everywhere and filling all the hotels. We couldn't find accommodation in Springbok or the next town, Kamiskroon, despite checking several nice places. Finally, with help from a hotel staff member who mentioned Victoria, we found accommodation through pure coincidence - Victoria happened to be opening a door just as we arrived at her place. She had multiple properties and put us in one of four apartments in an unmarked building we never would have found otherwise. The place was spacious and everything worked perfectly. Victoria was wonderful, offering us breakfast at her main property with 14 rooms full of nostalgic decorations. We enjoyed sharing stories with each other. Despite the accommodation challenges after the border crossing, everything worked out well - it always does, and I always have backup plans.

February 24 2026 - Journey to Aus & Grünau

Location: Namibia Summary: Today I continued my journey through Namibia, adding details about our route to Aus. We passed by Duwissip Castle, an old structure maintained by a dedicated elderly couple in a very remote location. Before reaching the castle, we encountered a couple stuck in their older Nissan - the woman was driving and her husband, who couldn't walk or exit the car alone, was the passenger. They were stranded in a low area where river water could flow. We helped by pulling them to safety near the castle entrance and alerted the castle caretakers, who knew the couple and took over their care. We then stopped in Berseba, a unique settlement of only 50 people that doesn't allow children to live there permanently, though they can visit. The village has an excellent coffee shop where we enjoyed refreshments. Now we're heading to Grünau, our final stop in Namibia. The endless desert landscape makes destinations invisible until you're very close. Despite uncertainty about accommodations, we found the well-run Gruneau Chalets near a 24-hour gas station. I met the owner's son, who lives in Cape Town but is awaiting a US work visa. He's already a small aircraft pilot hoping to advance to larger planes and shared insights about the favorable US immigration arrangements for South Africans compared to other nationalities. Our conversation about his aviation aspirations and international opportunities was fascinating.