Epupa and Beyond

My trip really didn’t end once I reached Epupa – only the walking.  I spent a couple days at Epupa exploring further downstream and hanging out in the village.  Then, I had to try to get myself out of there which isn’t a straightforward task since it is kind of out in the middle of nowhere. 

Since you are probably tired of reading this blog and I am tired of typing it (certainly not tired of reliving it though), I am going to keep this one short.  Here are some photos from the few days following the walk down the river.

 

Sunrise over the Kunene and Epupa Village

The calm Kunene before it slides into the abyss resulting in watery chaos

Misty view from below the falls

Downstream of Epupa the lush vegetation along the banks disappears as the river cuts through desert landscapes of barren mountains, rock, and sand

 

Inside a simple Himba shelter I assume is used by herders when they bring the cows and goats to the river

That’s a Himba hut, not a boulder

Soccer is Africa’s pastime.  It doesn’t matter how remote the village – game on!

I find the games much less amusing than the crowd coming to watch the game

 

The children of Africa are something special

 

From Epupa, I hitchhiked in the back of a camper truck rented by a delightful German/Hungarian couple, Rainer and Aniko.  We made a stop for lunch in the middle of nowhere – well, apparently not the middle of nowhere to the Himba.  These ladies came out of the bushes, sat down and enjoyed our picnic with us.  They were thoroughly delighted to see themselves on the small screen of Rainer’s camera.