Cairns - Kilroy Was Here

Over the last ten years I've noticed small rock Cairns popping up all over Namibia, especially in the desert areas - on the verges of remote gravel roads and at popular Tourist spots.


It seems that they're mostly built by Visitors intent on leaving a little bit of themselves in the Desert.


Some people may say that they spoil the landscape but personally, up to now, I don't find them to be an eyesore - I enjoy the surprise of finding them.


A large Cairn built near the uncompleted house mentioned in this post.


Some structures are quite creative, like this one on the edge of the Fish River Canyon.

They do serve their purpose because I often stop and wonder about the Unknown Travellers who built them - come to think of it, I've never seen anyone actually building a Cairn ... maybe ...


The sides of a hill near the Ai-Ais Hot Springs are covered with about fifty small Cairns, painted white.

I'd love to know the story behind them because their construction was obviously a concerted effort by a large group of people.


Star Wars Cairns


I often feel the urge to build a small Cairn but, I haven't found the 'Right Spot' yet - I guess I could argue that I have already built one and that I'm living in it ... :)


This gigantic Cairn was built by some creative Road Builder during the construction of the Aus - Rosh Pinah road a few years ago.


A finely-balanced Cairn - one of my favourites.

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Cape Town, My Eye - Two

I don't like Cities in general but, Cape Town is an exception - mainly because it's so easy to escape the Concrete Jungle and disappear into Nature.


A Bronze Lion in front of the Studio of sculptor Donald Greig.


A section of a giant mural which adorns the wall of a building.


Someone's Hog against a red brick wall.


A steel-hulled sailing ship, Europa, in dry Dock for repairs - I believe it's a training vessel but I don't know it's origin.



All shall be Equal before the Law

I wonder what motivated the artist to paint this message on the last remaining wall of an old demolished building.


The yellowing Spirit of Autumn reflected off a car's windscreen.


Mercury sitting atop a building, holding a Caduceus.


The balcony of the Timbuktu Restaurant on Long Street.


The Drumming Troupe again - I can kick myself now for not being bolder and getting some close-ups of their faces.

Related Posts:
Cape Town, My Eye - One

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Cape Town, My Eye - One

Good Morning, Cape Town! - on a clear day you can see Table Mountain forever.


For the first time ever I stayed in the City Centre and got a street-eye view of the buildings, which, though impressive to my desert mind, are likely tiny by world standards.


Cleaning Windows - not for the faint-hearted, I'm sure.
I had a Bird's-eye view touring the City on the top of an open Bus ...


An advertisement for Caterpillar mining equipment - I probably should know what make of car this is but I don't ... anyone?


One of the older buildings on Long Street, built in the late 1800's.


A tuft of Grass grows proudly defiant in a crack in the Concrete Jungle.


One of a series of murals on the outer walls of Mama Africa's - a store on Long Street - I didn't go in so can't tell you what they sell.


Friends stroll up a hill at Camps Bay - another old, familiar-looking car in the background.


Looking down a steep, covered sidewalk in the City.


This kid was thrilled when a member of a passing Drummer troupe noticed her admiration and exchanged a few words and a smile with her.

Continued Overleaf ...
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Camping On The Orange River

This Border Collie belongs to the owner of the campsite. He spends a large amount of time frolicking in the river, chasing after waterbirds and waiting for humans to come play with him.




A couple sets off on a three-day journey down the river, accompanied by a guide.



Pics from camping and canoing trip on the Orange River.

Related posts:
Namibia's Stunning Orange River Road
Orange River In Flood

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Far-out Farm Sign

I just love this sign at the entrance to a farm on the gravel road between Aus and Helmeringhausen in Southern Namibia, a road I travel often.

The area here is very desolate but ideal for sheep farming. The short tree in the images is a Quiver Tree - Aloe dichotoma or, 'Kokerboom' in Afrikaans.


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Namibia's Stunning Orange River Road

The 2,200 km Gariep, (or Orange River as it is commonly known), has it's source in Lesotho's Drakensberg Mountains and for the last 550 km of it's westward journey to the Atlantic Ocean, forms the international border between Namibia and South Africa.

This post highlights the 160 km stretch between the town of Rosh Pinah in the West and the Noordoewer border post in the East, a road I travel often.


On leaving Rosh Pinah, the road descends a few hundred meters down to the river. This is one of my favorite scenes - I've named the mountain in the distance 'Flower Mountain' because looks like a rosebud about to bloom.

Behind Flower Mountain is the Sendelingsdrift border post with pontoon access to South Africa's Richtersveld National Park.



The scenery on this stretch of road is spectacular and, until recently, has been one of Namibia's best-kept secrets.

The Orange river is responsible for Namibia's diamond wealth, having carried the crystals from South Africa's Kimberly area millions of years ago.



The river normally flows peacefully, with no diseases, crocodiles or hippos. The last hippo was shot by a poacher in the early 20th century but there is talk of reintroducing the species in certain areas.

The 50 km near Noordoewer is a popular stretch for canoeists because the area offers unique fauna and flora, rock formations and perfect all year temperatures.



The Boom River, one of the seasonal streams flowing into the Orange, is a spot where I often see Baboons and Vervet Monkeys. The river also abounds with bird life, especially large water birds.

The dirt road twists and winds around cliffs and mountains and in some places there is space for only one vehicle to pass.


This pic was taken a few years ago when the area had really good rainfall and the whole desert burst into flower.


'Alien Gap' - so named because late one night I had a very strange experience here. I've said before in an earlier post that I've felt some unexplained 'powers' or 'forces' in the desert - I'll just leave it at that for fear of being called a 'nutter'.


The mountains overlooking Aussenkehr - the pastel colors around here have to be seen to be appreciated, images don't really capture the beauty.


I wish I could show all my pics of the area in this post - you guys will just have to come check it out for yourselves ... :).

ET Phone Home

This is probably one of the most surreal structures I've seen. I pass it often on my trips between north and south Namibia.


It stands near a farmhouse on the Aus - Helmeringhausen road. In this image you can just make it out on the bend in the road ... on the edge of a 40km stretch of desolate desert flatness.The whole setting is so weird, it could be from a Mad Max movie.


It's fairly old and looks like it supports two water tanks.

The wires on top? Well, that looks like an antennae of sorts but for what purpose?

I like to imagine that the farm owner is a UFO freak hoping to make contact with ETs - I've often been tempted to stop and ask what it is but the truth would probably ruin my fantasy - there's probably a simple explanation ... any bright ideas?

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