Team Lipstick went straight to Diaz point which is about 22 km South of Luederitz .Way back in 1448 Diaz must have discovered the bays of Luederitz and to claim his stake he did put a cross on a rock just above the AtlanticOcean.

Wooden bridge requires careful walk

Wooden bridge requires careful walk
Wooden bridge requires careful walk

Diaz Cross overlooking the bay of Luederitz

Diaz Cross overlooking the bay of Luederitz
Diaz Cross overlooking the bay of Luederitz

The last 200m one has to walk over a wooden bridge with some planks being loose so the team was rather cautious in their approach and the cold wind did not add any much comfort either.

Andre in deep thoughts about what rod to use should he ever fish from Diaz Cross Mountain…

Andre in deep thoughts about what rod to use should he ever fish from Diaz Cross Mountain...
Andre in deep thoughts about what rod to use should he ever fish from Diaz Cross Mountain…

Back to Luederitz and off to “Ghost Town” which is called Kolmannskuppe. In 1908 a railway worker found the first diamond in this region effecting the diamond fever and Kolmannskuppe grew into a little town. At one stage it was called the “richest town on earth” and before World War 1 about 100kg or 5 Million carats were processed in this region.

Ghost town near Luederitz caused by the rise and fall of the diamond fever in this region

Ghost town near Luederitz
Ghost town near Luederitz

 

caused by the rise and fall of the diamond fever in this region
caused by the rise and fall of the diamond fever in this region

When diamonds were discovered on the northern coast of the Orange River and found to be larger than those in the Kolmannskuppe the processing plant in Kolmannskuppe ceased its operation and the town became a Ghost town.

Today one can still see the old houses once occupied by over 300 adults with a school for about 50 children and inclusive of an old restaurant, bowling facility, shops and hospital.

An amazing side – like walking through times gone by.

Then Lipstick took off towards the Namibian side of the Richtersfeld through a town called Rosh Pinah and then a beautiful drive right along the Orange River which forms the border between Namibia and South Africa with huge mountains on either side.

beautiful drive right along the Orange River
beautiful drive right along the Orange River

Lipstick on the Namibian side of the river marking the border between Namibia and RSA

Lipstick on the Namibian side of the river marking the border between Namibia and RSA
Lipstick on the Namibian side of the river marking the border between Namibia and RSA

Lipstick crossing the largest Namibian River the Fish River shortly before it joins the Oranje River

Lipstick crossing the largest Namibian River the Fish River shortly before it joins the Oranje River
Lipstick crossing the largest Namibian River the Fish River shortly before it joins the Oranje River

Then, before Aussenkehr, a turn to the left and some 150 km later Lipstick arrived at Ai-Ais

Which is a nice camping resort with chalets and hot spring swimming pool. After a good plunge into the warm water Andre wanted to buy some beer at the bar when the barman greeted him:

Welcome back my friend – I did not think I see you so soon again

What do you mean – I am here for the first time

Impossible man I served you here about 2 months ago I enjoyed chatting to you whilst you were drinking Jakals and wolfs……

Now it dawned on team Lipstick that Andre’s brother Rene together with team Bulldog and Icevan went through this area at the end of May and a quick phone call to Rene confirmed indeed that he was a frequent visitor to the bar and must have left a very good memory on Frans the barman who by the way speaks fluent german..

Regards to Rene from Frans and team Lipstick currently in Ai-Ais….

Wild horses , Frans the barman and Andre ( or is it Rene?)

Wild horses , Frans the barman and Andre ( or is it Rene)
Wild horses , Frans the barman and Andre ( or is it Rene)
Day 56 – From Luederitz to Ai-Ais