Happy Birthday to me: Visiting the famous Sand Dunes of Namibia

5am. I’m hiking up Dune 45, 100 metres up a thin ridge of a massive sand dune. Terrified I manage to pass the sitting people to find a spot to see the sunrise. Seems several other tour groups had the same idea as us this morning. Soon after the sun rose we decided it was too cold (yes the desert gets freezing when the sun goes down) and decided to descend. Sitting on a thin ridge looking down the steep edges of the sand dune was terrifying, yet walking down wasn’t much better. I got left behind as I slowly made my way down and eventually got down after everyone else.

Video of the sunrise location below – worth click on HD for a clearer image.

Not so sure that was the best start to my birthday. I know if I hadn’t done it, I would have regretted it, but I’m not sure it was worth spending the entire time scared of falling.

After a short breakfast (since I’d gotten back after everyone) it was time for the highlight – Sossusvlei and Deadvlei. Two valleys of ancient marshes where dead trees stand, surrounded by sand dunes. Utterly incredible to walk amongst and gaze high up above to see the tops of the dunes.

Seems my camera didn’t realise it was my birthday and decided to produce a corrupt memory card, so unfortunately I can’t get my computer to read the images…. fingers crossed someone back in NZ will be able to get the images working for me. The images in this post are from my Go Pro and totally don’t do the location justice at all, but I wanted to share something with you.

The rest of the day was spent on the truck to our last campsite where I did get a birthday cake, but most people disappeared the moment it was finished to bed rather than staying up for a drink or anything. So it wasn’t quite an upbeat birthday but I did get to see some of the best highlights of Namibia, had a wee gift from my Aussie friend, a sign in the bus from another two tour friends and a cake. Pretty good as far as my birthdays go.