Beautiful sunrise combined with a nice breakfast in the lodge. We did our flight planning and set of to the airport. After clearing immigration and loading & fuelling the aircraft we taxied to the runway for departure. However just before entering the runway, 'Bush 1', the call sign of the aircraft with Albert, Kim & Lynn experienced a flat tyre. To cut a long story short, Kim & Lynn were escorted back to the apron in an emergency vehicle and bush 1 was left alone somewhere in the middle of the airport awaiting a spare tyre to be flown in from Johannesburg. It was decided that after repacking our luggage to a featherlight combination, we were able to continue the flight in 'Bush 2' with all 4 of us. Unfortunately Albert had to await spares and stay another night in Upington. So we departed in Bush 2 with the 4 of us and headed along the Orange river towards the farm that Malinda spent most of the childhood at. It was a spectacular flight along the Orange river and after orbiting the farm we set course into Namibia towards Keetmanshoop to clear immigration which was uneventful. Then we had to fly back south again to our accommodation which is on the edge of the Fish River canyon. This lodge has its own gravel runway. We managed to arrive at 6 PM just before sunset and our pick up was awaiting us after we did a low overfly over the lodge to alert of them of our arrival. The location of the lodge is simply stunning and all off our rooms are located at the cliff edge. We just had a great sundowner and a great dinner. Tomorrow is planned for canyon hiking and Albert should arrive in 'Bush 1' around midday. All in all a great day with some unexpected challenges.
Leaving Upington
Taxiing out
Airport services are your friends
Bush 1 is crippled
Albert giving me a briefing on how to continue in 'Bush 2
Orange river
Orange river
Orange river
Orange river
Keetmanshoop airport
Captain
The Fish river canyon
Fish River Lodge - where we are staying
Parking spot
Our pick up
Windhoek lager
Sorry for the flat, Albert catching up soon :)
ReplyDeleteMarkus
Prachtige foto's! Wat een pech zo'n lekke band maar wel goed voor het avontuurlijke aspect ;-)
ReplyDeleteIlonne
Enjoy it and lets get the news.
ReplyDeleteDrink a Saint Louis on me.
When in Kasane contact a friend, Gerhard or( Guts)very nice people, of PANGOLIN Photo Safaries +27828221262
If he can take you on the river you will have a trip you will never forget..!!