It didn’t start off well. We’d been planning to drive in my husband’s somewhat ancient vehicle, but a few days before we left the engine more or less just dug in its wheels and refused to go. We looked into hiring a 4x4, but it was so expensive we might as well have charted a private jet. I was all for it, at that point. But in the end we settled on an affordable but distinctly bottom-of-the-range bakkie; a good thing, as it turned out, because it was big enough to carry everyone else’s water, spare tyres, mattresses, chairs, beers, tents, clothes and… I actually have no idea how any of us would have managed without it.
We were a motley group made up of writers, farmers, architects, amateur historians, art dealers, medical researchers, carbon traders and artists, and it all worked out beautifully. The farmers are wine and bubbly producers, which almost totally compensated for the fact that they woke up at 5 am every single day absolutely raring to go, while most of us favoured a slightly slower launch (usually as a result of their excellent produce the night before).
The trip
Penny, one of the early risers, put the trip together, and it was a damn good itinerary: When we stayed just one night, it was usually in hotels, chalets or glamping sites, and when we were properly camping we always stayed for two nights – just to offset the schlep. She also made sure there was somewhere to swim in most places we stayed: essential!
The Namibian dollar is basically 1:1 with the ZAR, and most places will take either.
It’s a huge country, and you’re going to drive for miles. The roads are generally pretty good, especially if they’ve just been graded, which seems to be an ongoing process. We did go to some quite remote spots too, which is where things got a bit dodgy, but otherwise we were absolutely fine in a non-4x4.
O’Kiep (one night) and /Ai-/Ais Hot Springs
Denne historien er fra July/August 2024-utgaven av Fairlady.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July/August 2024-utgaven av Fairlady.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
(Late) BLOOMING lovely
I've had an epiphany about the joy of getting older. And yes, you can go ahead and yell, it's about time we called midlife what it is: late blooming!
A fairy tale AMONG THE VINES
What sold me on Riquewihr? Was it the colourful, half-timbered houses? The pictureperfect vineyards? The fact that it's one of the villages that inspired Beauty and the Beast? Yes, yes and (a loud, resounding) yes.
THE SECOND act
The idea of starting a new career later in life may seem daunting but it's not impossible. These four women have proven that it's never too late to reinvent yourself.
MENOPAUSE UPDATE 2025
Flawed studies, a 'critical HT window', vaginal oestrogen, testosterone supplementation and restricted eating are among a rash of hot topics emerging for women gingerly negotiating menopause. Here's what we know now.
9 unconventional WAYS TO SHAKE OFF STRESS
Try these sciencebacked strategies and everyday tips to dial down your body's stress response.
KERI SHOWS HER GOOD SIDE
Keri Russell's portrayal of Kate Wyler in The Diplomat, her first substantial TV role since the Soviet spy drama The Americans, finds her switching sides, starring as a savvy civil servant tasked with upholding America's reputation abroad.
I have prophetic dreams
Do you ever wonder what lies beyond the threshold of life, or whether our loved ones who have passed on find ways to communicate with us? I've had vivid dreams and unsettling premonitions that blur the lines between the world we know and the one beyond. I'm not sure whether it's a blessing or a burden.
Pride of INDIA
Drawing inspiration from India's rich heritage, these entrepreneurs are driving innovation in our design industry and supporting under-resourced communities.
THE RISE OF THERAPY SPEAK
Therapy speak - or psychological terminology – is on the rise. While it gives us more language to protect our peace, it can also be a destructive force in our friendships and relationships. Here's why.
Lights, camera, CAPE TOWN
South Africa is the filming destination for quite a few Marvel blockbusters, and one of the most successful liveaction series based on manga in the world. At the vanguard of this revolution is Marisa Sonemann-Turner, head of production at Film Afrika.
