A Hole in the Ground

Ever wonder what it would be like inside a large tunnel boring machine? If yes, I can tell you all about it.

Chengdu is busy building its new Metro subway line. This involves tunneling under the city with large machines. The plan is to create two lines; one running North-South and the other East-West. The entire system will take a few years to complete, but I was lucky enough to take a tour and get up close and personal with the mighty machine.

We first explored the site on ground level taking notice of the large amounts of earth laden containers used to move what was recently dug up. Then it was underground with a hard hat and site supervisor. We toured the first length of the tunnel which already had its concrete ring. Then we made our way into the machine from the rear and right up to the very front, just behind the cutting wheel. Too cool!

Chinese Lantern Festival

After one festival ends another is just around the corner. This one being the Chinese Lantern Festival. It celebrates the first full moon of the lunar year.

There is a large park in Chengdu that is set up with large paper lantern sculptures. These are huge. Some even move. There are fair rides, candy and artisans who turn melted sugar into creative sculptures.

In the middle of the park is a large temple decorated with red lanterns and colourful lights. It was beautiful to see. Even if we couldn't see the moon through clouds.

On the way back we had to wait to find a cab. This is normal and something everyone has to get used to. It took us 30 minutes to get a cab. Sometimes it can take even longer.

Chinese Lunar New Year

After a great New Year's celebration in the bush it was time to celebrate another one in the East. Chinese New Year is marked by the first new moon of the year. On the Chinese calendar it falls on February 14th this year, marking the beginning of the year of the tiger.

Again, words cannot explain it. The celebrations run 15 days until the Chinese Lantern Festival marking the first full moon of the year. The city sleeps for 15 days. No honking horns. No playing Frogger to cross the street. Only loud and overwhelming fireworks every night with the largest on New Years eve.

These fireworks are not set up by the city or some professional, but rather sold on every street corner in orange tents lined with boxes of fireworks. We are used to individual fireworks that we buy on certain holidays. Now imagine a box, something the size of a microwave. Some even the size night table. You light this thing in the middle of the street and you get a professional looking fireworks show for 2 or 3 minutes. And that is just on one corner of an intersections in a city with many intersections. The sky was a sparkling sea of colour. The buildings echoed.

First Impression

Well, after some difficult good-byes at Mokuti it was off to Chengdu, China.

Our GM had friends from Munich visiting for NYE and they would be on the same flight back to Munich. That meant some company and some entertainment to shorten the 10 hour flight.

I stayed overnight in Munich to break up the flight and met up with friends to continue the fun into the evening. We were deep into beer and Schweinshaxe. Delicious!

The next day I made it on a flight to Chengdu over Beijing.

Chengdu is in the Southwest of China in Sichuan province. The city has a population of 15 million! The country of Namibia only 2.1 million. What was I getting myself into. There was definitely no scenery here.

And that is the first thing you notice. I was now in a city. Trucks, cars, mopeds and pedestrians whistled in and out of traffic to get where they needed to go. My driver's palm rested continuously on the centre of the steering wheel as his use of the horn was frequent. This was an aggressive place. Get in front or lose it all.

I made myself comfortable in my new quarters and was ready to see what this place had to offer. That meant dreary skies, no sun, fog, spitting people and more honking horns.

SOLD OUT!!

NYE...in the bush!

The lodge is sold out and there is a party in every bar. People are having a great time and this is life. Even if my camera is no longer in my possession with two years worth of photos.

There's an exciting move happening in January: China. I will be backing up my photos.

Stay tuned...

Eins, zwo, drei...

Finding our way back to Windhoek was just as adventurous as making it to Wolwedans; more gravel roads and the cherry, another flat tire. Even though it was a long journey the amount of life and excitement we experienced was well worth it.

We then headed Munich to see some family and perhaps a chance at a Maß or two. I just hope the folks can keep up!

After a 10 hour flight from Windhoek to Munich we headed for Oma's tiny little town to rest and relax with some family. I always

love heading back where I spent all of my childhood summers playing on tractors, running through corn fields and wandering in the woods.

It seems that every time I return to this village everything has gotten smaller. I have to duck to get through the doorway and almost bow to get into the kitchen. Even the local bakery is a few steps closer. Nonetheless, this is a wonderful place and I hope to come back as often as possible.

After the visits with all cousins and their kids, uncles and aunts we were on our way to Munich for Oktoberfest, my first one ever. Mom and Dad were up for the challenge and that weekend we toured the tents, pretzel and sausage

stands all the while hunting for a Dirndl. I would love a German passport.

With Mom and Dad flying back home I knew it would be another year before seeing them again. It was great to see them and strengthen our relationship. A lot changes in a year.

The Red Lines Mean Gravel Roads

After a great 3 nights in Swakopmund it was off to our last destination in the southern part of the country. But not after fixing our flat tire.

We set out early morning for a rather short 380km drive to NamibRand Reserve near Sesriem. At least it seemed that way on the map. Little did we know that shortly after passing through Walvis Bay with its flamingos were we in for sand, salt and gravel roads. That made our 4 hour journey at 60km/h nearly an 8 hour drive. Damn was I pissed. Rocks on the road. Bumps and rivets. Everything to slow me down and without solution. Slow and easy.

The start of the journey had us driving through sand dunes and by now we were more into rocky terrain with mountains. No matter where you are in Namibia, the landscape is to die for.

After watching the minutes go by we finally arrive at Wolwedans Lodge by which time I had enough of this gravel bullshit and just wanted to get to a cold bottle of Tafel beer. Even at the gate to the lodge it was still another 20km on bad dirt road. But for all of this trouble we were in a truly untouched and unspoiled part of the country.

With its tented rooms surrounded by mountains and sand filled valleys this was a place to take it all in. I definitely recommend this place if you can arrange for a flight in.

Now how will I handle the drive back to Windhoek on these dirt roads?