February 23, 2026 - Kolmanskop Diamond Mine & Lüderitz Day Trip

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.

February 23, 2026 - Kolmanskop Diamond Mine & Lüderitz Day Trip

Location: Namibia Summary: Today I took a fascinating day trip to Lüderitz from my base at the Bahnhof Hotel in Aus, Namibia. My first stop was Kolmanskop, an abandoned diamond mine about 10 kilometers before Lüderitz. This ghost town once housed around 300 people who worked the diamond mines, and now it's a tourist attraction. You have to pay to enter and it's mostly open in the mornings. Many of the buildings are filled with sand due to missing windows and sandstorms, though some structures are still maintained for visitors with exhibits. The journey to Lüderitz itself was breathtaking, descending from a plateau with stunning scenery. Lüderitz is a small coastal town with character buildings and good dining options. I learned that it's famous for sailboarding speed records, though I didn't visit that specific location. On the return trip to Aus, I met some German travelers - a father and son who had cruised to Cape Town, then flew to Windhoek and rented a car. They weren't particularly impressed with Lüderitz, but I believe every place has value and history worth appreciating. I'm always amazed by the courage and determination of the people who established these remote settlements and the logistical challenges they overcame to build communities in such isolated locations.

February 22, 2026 - Desert Journey to Aus, Namibia

Location: Namibia Summary: Today I experienced another incredible day of my Namibian desert journey. Starting from Sesriem at the Quiver Desert Lodge, I had to share what I missed from two days ago - our stop at Solitaire, a tiny desert outpost famous for its apple pie. Getting there meant driving through nothing but desert and corrugated roads, where we even spotted Dan, a fellow traveler struggling on his motorbike through the sandy terrain. This morning I fueled up on meat pies from a Shell station before heading to Aus, which always reminds me of the German phrase 'immer geradeaus' meaning 'go straight ahead.' The journey was amazing as we spotted wild animals including jackals and ostriches roaming free in their natural habitat. We chose the longer route to reach Aus, which serves as our base for tomorrow's coastal visit to Lüderitz. At our hotel in Aus - a true desert haven - I had a fascinating encounter with two YouTubers on the balcony. One of them, Christian from the Lost LeBlanc channel, has visited over 100 countries and creates travel content. He and his friend Cam, who live in Bali, are sponsored to ride Chinese motorbikes through southern Africa after spending a month in Cape Town. They were heading to Lüderitz that same evening for a two-night stay. The hotel here is absolutely fabulous, providing a perfect oasis in this desert landscape.