Aus, Namibia

Thursday 18 February

Lockdown Day 329

Are we still locked down? The border is open. Road trips and self catering are very self isolating. In Namibia, masks in public are mandatory and curfews are still in place. Travel as we knew it is still a long, long way off. Until the world is vaccinated our freedoms will be curtailed.

Travelling with a rough itinerary and no fixed bookings is our favourite way to travel. It's not always possible because many places have become so popular in the last few years you just won't find accommodation without booking a long time in advance. If I am planning a trip with a group I also feel everything needs to be booked and paid for in advance to avoid any stress and dissention. 

Lockdowns, travel bans and general uncertainty means there are very few tourists in Namibia at that moment. The best accommodation is available at discounted prices and at the last minute. So for a while we'll be bobbing along at our own pace. 

Leaving Canyon Roadhouse we could not believe how green everything is after the rain with great swathes of yellow flowers everywhere.

Haute Farm is a huge irrigation project growing grapes, dates and pomegranates. We stopped at the distillery for coffee and cake and I bought a pomergranate gin.

Aus is a small, old mining settlement in southern Namibia. We stayed at the delightful Aloe Rock Cottage.

The property is part of the iconic Bahnhof Aus Hotel, circa1906. If you haven't got time to stay over I recommend a stop here for lunch or a beer en route to Luderitz.