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Hello everyone,

and here are the last pictures from Namibia. For 2 days we are now in South Africa and went straight to Sun City near Johannesburg. A mixture of Las Vegas , Disney World and Legoland . Obviously, the entertainment mecca of South Africa. Anyone that we asked for tips for Johannesburg, said Sun City a "must have" had. A little culture shock after 4.450km by Namibia loneliness. Nevertheless we have here with a magnificent pool tag extensive school unit for Nicoletta inserted. In the " social studies classes " stood in the afternoon to visit a crocodile farm on the program. Tomorrow I will then return to Johannesburg.

you soon your 5 mass men

resting place - always in the shadow

What were your favorite animals in Namibia, Alexia:

Watzenschweine and lions; Watzenschweine saw

we abound at roadside

Our luxury villa in Mushara Bush Camp

In each tent is for 5th place ..
Mushara Bush Camp

The first birthday festivities at 24.10. for

Nicoletta

24/10/2009-Birthday party for Nicole

birthday is beautiful ....

And the 2nd Choir in the evening

you long live!

garbage collection campaign in front of the Etosha National Park
Always happy!
Our bungalow in Etosha Safari Camp
inspirations for housing ...

Bye Namibia

Red Hot Elbow Nfection

"Singing Stones"

18.-25.10.2009 - a little "Out of Africa" feeling

On the road again - today is just a small "gravel blow" against us. Our goal is to "Immenhof Farm, at 180 km or less a stone's throw away. In Immenhof arrived - in fact we expected Heidi Brühl here - we met on the old German nobility, who had been living for 5 generations in Namibia. First, a little stiff and so quite different from the previous property was thanks Baraufenthalt and professional exchange between Opi Eberhard and homeowner Friedhelm also quickly become friends. The evening safari took us over the 5,000 square meters large farm (rather small for Namibian conditions), with animal diversity was reduced due to an impending storm. But we saw fossilized elephant tracks, played music to the delight of the children on "singing" stones, which probably served for thousands of years, the Ovambo as musical instruments looked like ancient rock paintings and was an impending thunderstorm on the horizon observed that in any storm in European climes the shadow set. The subsequent joint evening meal with the family in the living room was a bit bizarre, but as always, the food, very good.

The next morning we were finally in the Etosha National Park. For three days we stayed at the Etosha Safari Camp - a location that allowed us to dip into the African happiness. Great paintings on the walls, cheerful staff and evening dancing and singing around the campfire. The "Double" were in small detached bungalows situated amidst lush wild romantic bush savannah. Under the protection of mosquito nets and torch lighting, we were in bed at night, "read Tippi from Africa "before or listened to the various bush sounds.

The next 3 days we went to "lion and elephant hunting." For daily game drives in the cherished VW bus we explored the park and were not disappointed. Feels Like millions of zebra, springbok, kudu, ostrich and wildebeest moved past us and were not bothered by us. Giraffes crossed the road and take a walk on the wide plains, elephants grazing on the roadside - images that we will not soon forget. One evening, our patience was rewarded with very particular - at a water point, we met the "King of the Savannah" - 9 lions at once. First we saw three lionesses, who leisurely basking in the sun, then we discovered a little off their 4 lion cubs, which carefully explored the local areas. Completely absorbed in the observation of these animals, we missed the first head of the family. illuminated by the evening sun, he entered "his" stage, walked to the water head held high office, eyeing his audience - in the meantime, some cars had gathered at the watering hole and lay down, to quench its thirst. Then he walked slowly to his wives. A successful performance, the goosebumps are prepared and an absolute Highlight for us was!

subjected After three successful days in the west of the Etosha Pan to time we Nicoletta's birthday into a very luxurious new location, the newly built Mushara-Bush camp, which turned out to be extremely friendly. Here too we were again warmly welcomed. With own children's play area, playground, children's pool and a great tent accommodation we had a nice birthday party. Nicole was very spoiled and was already at breakfast a birthday song by the staff and gifts. The morning is spent with a pool party and pot and hitting instruction in their new pink camera. the end of our Etosha Stay, we enjoyed a safari with a guide. The only female tour guide of the National Park was the hit and we were lucky to complete this very game-rich time again to get a herd of 14 elephants face. At sunset we saw this herd again and even a hyena in the light of the setting sun provided an unexpected highlight dar. For dinner, sang the entire hotel staff (15 men high) Nicoletta have a birthday song and presented her a very tasty birthday cake. Nicoletta has enjoyed the day, but laid emphasis on our promise that there will still return to a real child's birthday party.

25th October 2009-The Next trip is coming!

At 10.26 we started our last leg. 540 km back to Windhoek. Almost a breeze, since the entire track was paved. Against the early evening we arrived at the inn palm spring. The next morning came Opi Eberhard been his ticket home to Berlin and we spent our last day in Namibia with swimming pool and a leisurely stroll through the fairly small city of Windhoek. On ice, waffles and coffee, we celebrated the birth of cousin and niece, because at 26.10 in the morning was Tilda Marie, the first child of Ariane's sister Frances and Benjamin Born in Hamburg.

Before the backpacks back pack "airworthy", a brief conclusion to the first 3 weeks of our tour:

Namibia is a great country and to travel quickly.

gravel roads are very well feasible to settle. was

The best of the 15 servings of french fries it in Etosha Safari Lodge.

Namibia is extremely hospitable, we met only nice and courteous people.

birthdays set new standards in foreign countries - thanks to the loyal well-wishers!

leaves with Opi Eberhard to travel a stress-free and uncomplicated (fun, nice that you were there!)

Studiosus groups and three little girls who fit into the lodges are not always together.

Antonia drink properly now Fanta canned .

Nicoletta jumps from 1m springboard into the usually private pool.

Alexia writes her Name on the computer without errors.

The girls have become well accustomed to the vagabond life, so we had to pull the 'reins' again more tightly, so they are not too much on rumtanzen the nose.

Now we look forward to the next destination - South Africa. Next time we have made in any case, Zimbabwe and Botswana, who's there? "

Does Epil Stop And Spray Work

Hi, here we are again .... Faster than expected ...

believe it or not - we are in the bush and on - but no later than this we know that we are in a 3rd World country. The Online-Verbindung/Geschwindigkeit is not comparable to our conditions. Therefore, today only a picture and a lot of text. Next time there's new pictures.

Opi Peter, congratulations to the giant mushroom, mushroom's only in the rainy season - from the termite mound - will taste very delicious;

Dear Julius, to Victor, we fully understand that to come you will, driving a car is so cool, next time there's new pictures; morning we drive to the elephant;

Aunt Benita,

nor can I find the pools a little cold, but the latest in the Seychelles I climb into the swimming training; else's I'm fine and mom and dad take good care of me - a bit I dance them right now him for a ride - but I fear that it is not find so funny ... Best wishes Your Antonia

And finally for all Karvnevall-clowns: The new Höhner is out and in Namibia is 8 months Carnival celebrated .... Every month in another region, there goes a lot .... Allaf and Hellau

your men and 5 mass Opi Eberhard

Sunday. 11.10 - Sossusvlei, the highest dunes in the world

after yesterday, we wanted to initially not again a "full body massage" subject to the Namibian roads, and above all it was any of us to get up early felt; 5.30 clock was recommended as the departure of the great sand dunes in the heart of the Namib Desert, one of the most photographed sunrises witness in the world. Finally, we agreed to a departure at 7.00, for Namibian conditions a more normal time, as the day begins early in the rule (only as a help, if someone is driving times to Namibia, certainly not the ideal country for long sleepers ....) Of the girls they were showered with strong protests but with smaller "corruption measures" we got these discrepancies in our tour group in the handle. The guard at the Lodge exit happily waving good-bye with the words: "The mass man Kids Garden is leaving ... and the girls were happy. Fortunately, we were rewarded for our decision, because the Half of the track was paved. The scenery was to the rest. We came again to enjoy a completely new landscape. Yellow prairie grass on which Oryxherden grazed before high petrified sand dunes. At the end of the paved road we got (compared to the usual, tourism commission) in a 4x4 drive and were driven into the sandy desert. As a tourist to do in Namibia are not simply lost.

... and then we put all the deep, red, fine-grained Kalahari sand, our feet and clothes stained reddish - we had just removed the last sand from the cracks - but we have time and are on vacation ... The climb began at one of the oldest and largest dunes in the world. According to geologists the dunes will be 50 million years old, which is based on fossilized dunes - now rock formations- was found. The apricot colored border / reddish sand millions of years ago was originally washed up from the Kalahari desert, the sea and past rivers and carried into the country. One way for several 100 km, which today is unimaginable.

The increase to the thin line was met by all 5 well. Nicoletta reached the summit on the 300m dune as the first sovereign of us. And even Antonia overtook a large group Studiosus traveler. The descent was a wonderful slip and Funpartie. We all put on their trousers and went from the downhill ride, the soft and warm sand. Total eingesaut we arrived at the bottom. Erik and Nicole climbed right up again and again it went downhill.

proved On the way back again, that children do not need a same old and familiar surroundings, to feel comfortable. Nicoletta had the iPhone in the next discovered foresight saved Christmas, and so was happy to commonly known from other environments Dance songs in the car.

Monday, 12/10 - There is nothing going on Namibian roads

Swakopmund our destination. The gravel roads will have us back and we thought it could not lonely. But it works. It was bare and barren and meager. First, the street even climbed a few passes up and down. Then there was not as steppe, steppe and steppe and the grass was less and less and eventually only sand, sand, sand ..... nothing else. Hard to believe, to the horizon just sand, felt could we in the United Arab Emirates or otherwise be. Sometimes we meet an oncoming car, nothing else, a breakdown would be stupid now. Short stop with a picnic in the mile-long plane in the glistening sun, to our surprise, with full cell phone reception - not often the case in Namibia.

happen after about 150km, we salt mining equipment and are suddenly on the coast. Sand dunes, roads lined with palm trees (memories of Dubai are alive), we reach our destination, the Fish River Guest House in Swakopmund. great relief to a subset of the evening we found a nice place with Bayview French fries.

Tuesday, 13/10/2009

After all that sand, we need a change and take a Dolphin / Whale Watching Tour Walvis Bay. The Studiosus friends are back on board. We often meet other travelers, we know from lodges or service stations, the various routes are equivalent but in the end in terms of highlights and tracks. And as always there are nice and materials celled companions that are found Sun In the lodges sometimes is not even any guest the same whether its exuberant joy of discovering the extended family in the cottage or at the dinner table next to him.

we see many dolphins, giant sea lion colonies can be observed at rest by boat. The animals know the "tourists, cross" and know what they like. Hardly resounds the whistle the sailor knows the local pelican, the feeding time is present, a variety of pelicans and gulls are served elegantly snap to the delight of the kids fish from their hands in the air and then land gracefully on the water. Walvis Bay is the most important sea port of Namibia, there is much invested to promote the region. Many industries are located, fish processing, repair and overhaul of oil rigs from neighboring countries, containers awaiting loading and unloading. Glut of container and non-chartered cargo ship lying around, the sight is known from Europe, this fortunately is nothing to see.

Wednesday, 10/14/2009 German than German

we would not have thought: A bit of Germany at the edge of the desert and some German than German. Many buildings are reminiscent of the old colonial era - German seems the main language in the street to be German bookstore, German chemist. The people not only in Swakop often speak better German than English, even in the stores will be better served in German. The small mall is strongly reminiscent of "Wertheim Village. It is a strange feeling about 8.000km away this "enclave" to discover. Maybe we would not have been so surprised, would we (still) better prepared for the journey .... But who barefoot in the last minute jump in the car ....

Nevertheless, life is quiet here and shut down the tempo. A visit to the museum of Swakopmund is today our cultural highlight. The feeling we can not let go of that a little time here has stood still. It is interesting to get a little more information about "German South-West", it harms all of us anything. And the "imperial flag" Now there's to be done. Frankly, some getting used to, but not absolutely ill-understood by political affiliation. Also we learn here. The playground in front of the museum is the appropriate compensation for the girls and playground discussions traveling with job seekers bring us the political situation of the country, the vastness of Africa and the "border situation" Africa closer. Angola continues to fall as an example of one of the more difficult countries in Africa (in terms of road conditions, politics, food, and in general ...)

Thursday, 10/15/2009 - Saturday, 10.17 .2009 - Back to the Country Side

We leave Swakopmund gene after 10km north-west and us, the desert again. In the long run this city would be nothing for us. With a stopover and a picnic in the park around the Spitzkoppe we come to "Okumitundo" at. A 100 Year-old farm that has two generations in the possession of a Düsseldorf family and is leased. Here we spend two days relaxing with very friendly and cheerful hosts and guests. The farmer couple, Cornelius and Daniel (both successful dressage junior in Germany was as well - grew up partly in Bavaria - Reigning Carnival Princess of the region) is characterized not only by excellent homemade cheese but also with extreme hospitality. The new CD Höhner runs regularly. Carnival is seen here not as tight as in Germany, 8 months, every month in a different region and Hellau Allaf called. Oktoberfest is also nationally celebrated.

Opi Eberhard comes to his daily ride on Namibian Hanoverians, at 7 clock will meet a small group of jogging, almost everything at home.

first time we meet on families with children. Nicoletta includes fast friendship with the 8-year-old son of the farm and we see them actually only for meals. The farm offers bushwalks, horse riding, game drives, various aviary, swimming pool. sitting on the porch or at the dinner under the stars with interesting conversations with other guests, the farm managers or just end here because the owner of the farm, we learn a lot over land and people, for example

- The missing middle class in Namibia

- the change of the ruling SWAPO from an original Marxist-Leninist orientation towards a market economy / - governmental actions

The main sources of income of the country are: diamond mining, uranium mining, meat and fish exports and tourism.

- The illiteracy rate is 10%.

- are now being "lured" many Chinese workers in Namibia, working in the mines.

- The final turnout was 93%

(!) - Over 50% of the population belongs to the Ovambo people, who live mostly in the north.

- who insults his wife can, but some are sentenced to years in prison!

In this sense, since men .... nice to your wives

Thin Soccer Headbands

IT'S LOOSE! - Thanks to a spectacular spread of the Internet in Namibia - now first collected works - the BIG FIVE are really on the way - do not worry we have not Holger pinched so far ...

comes Amazingly, the envisioned since about 3 months 4 October as the day of departure towards us faster than expected. Exactly, that is, on the previous Friday, we had a cozy evening at the farewell Weidebornweg with many friends; we now see not only for a while. A splashy event with many good mutual desires, Kolsters remained to 3 clock in the morning. The last week was - along with a short flying visit to the Oktoberfest - and remove the clean our apartment, so that in our absence, Bad Homburg experimentation Desi and Konstantin Stechow have it properly too.

Always at the last minute

At 3:10 was then downhill after hours of back-and-herpacken but already by 15 clock so that - optimized time - Erik recently second into car jumps and that too without shoes. If this continues either until you see us in a year or even again in 2 weeks ... because we missed all 'our flights etc..

Thanks Stefan Ries we arrive at the Frankfurt train station safe. With 86 kg and thus slight excess baggage, which we have to lose until the departure, but for now it's all the train to Munich to Marc, Alex, Jacob and Anna, where the last day will be spent before departure for the most beautiful autumn weather. We find it almost hard to leave on such a day for a long time.

After several Umpackaktionen Aussortierungsarien and with the help of Alexandra and her sister Monica, we can reduce our luggage to two bags and throw off 15 kilos of ballast, including allegedly important hard-copy books by Erik, unnecessary drugs and excess socks stay at home. What is a good tax collector for the surrender of course not his Mont Blanc pen (we'll see how this pen just like a backpacker trip ...)

light late because we thanks to Marc's longtime Munich local knowledge Drive past the airport exit, we arrived at the Munich airport with just 71.6 kilograms baggage (2 large backpacks, daypacks 2, 3 Kids Backpacks, an A4 pocket, and a Krackser and a stroller) and 58 minutes before departure.

take before we Borden on Opi Eberhard, who accompanied us quickly decided the first 3 weeks in Namibia. With happy children as we boarded the plane last. Many passengers rolled their eyes when they saw our sweet girls and thought, "I hope they go" flight Monster "past us ..." Alexia reinforced that image perfectly by almost cried sitting out, "Daddy I have to pee" countered, but Antonia and sent her "I'll do anything you smile" on the seat back to the guests behind us. The overnight flight was easy, all the children slept sovereign and the passengers had to put their prejudice, at least for this flight shelved.

Windhoek greeted us early in the morning at just before 7 with a glorious sunrise and almost perfect landing. Passport control and auto output go without problems, but with appropriate Namibian cosiness.

The award of the day is 40m after the airport exit towards first property in Windhoek by Nicoletta with a slightly reproachful voice: "And now where are the animals?"

In "Casa Piccolo" we are greeted with a hearty "good morning" and super hospitality. Thanks to the kids we get a good English breakfast, but without Bacon & Egg. Also, the terms of rooms is earlier than expected CARRIED, the three girls seize during which the only three chairs at the pool and make Once an extended nap. This asks the 8 year old son as she sees the full horror home his mother: "What's going on here, so many children?

goes after extended sleep break, in the City, but we in the first dynamic Miss start immediately. Frankfurt usual standards, we were traveling at 45 but quickly moved to the city core over. Windhoek is a nice little town with a mini-city core and much German influence, not just to identify the river "Bismarck", of "Louis-pharmacy" and various typical German street names such as "King Street". The Spectacular has not yet being exploited the same, but we will end the month for another 2 days to be here.

To the delight of our girls soon found themselves a bar with the essentials: "CHIPS" and there was ketchup ... and thus was the world final restored.

Some Impressions

"calm before the storm" - Munich 04.10.2009

"What's going on here? Windhoek 7.00 clock early arrival - Overnight Flight

Big relief: The first portion of chips-Windhoek 05/10/2009

A little bit of culture: Christ Church of Windhoek, 5.10.2009 Nicoletta and opi

6.10.2009 - 8.10.2009 - social studies first hand

Now it gets serious. Time we set off. Our first day with the left, gravel etc. imminent. On the C1 in the south we go to Rehoboth without major complications in the Kalahari desert. Our sporting Caravelle - held in fashionable white - with the "Mass party man" on board leaves us confident on the first gravel roads which are in fact some getting used to and we Jimmy, a experienced tour guide, whom we met at Casa Piccolo, may be only right to do that faster than 80km on gravel roads much sense if you want to make sure that no one wants to end up in the sand. The landscape moves past us marked by a breadth and dryness of the eye, our yet to get used. Much oncoming traffic, we do not have the more respect if it has any driver comes to meet again a big truck or car. Occasionally, a group of people sitting on the roadside in the middle of nowhere, which put the children always carried away with the question: "What are the here? Here there are nothing. "Even donkey carts and pony carts fully loaded with passengers or boxes pass on our way. We still kills the heat, if we take a little break from our air-conditioned Luxusvan. After about 280 km or 4.5 hours we reach the entrance to Anib Lodge in the Kalahari Desert. Wherever you look: sand, hot reddish sand, which represents the typical feature of the Kalahari desert, which is now classified as semi-desert. Very friendly will be greeted with a glass of orange juice at normal English and German. As in our first property is the Massmann-clan divides again 2 double rooms with a rollaway bed. The breakdown is as follows: women and men separately, ie if one of the girls is merciful, then they'll stay sometimes with the father. But that's the exception and definitely improved. Opi ... Eberhard is as well as so out of it.

Our first Safaris inspire us all and we get a first impression of the animal diversity of Namibia. The girls - mainly Nicoletta full move - the tour will find exciting in the open and prove best 4x4 eagle eye spotting the animal, make a telescope unnecessary. Antonia's vocabulary is limited to "Animal," but we are happy and their eyes seem to be at least not bad in the distance. Nicoletta takes all "game drive" with so that they total of 3 times in the Kalahari desert and go on tour, the 6:00 am tour full of enthusiasm ride takes you. Above all we see around the lodge Anib springbok, oryx, hartebeest, eland, zebra and wildebeest. Various animal species graze peacefully next to each other and make one realize how little animal friendly but many zoos. Each night safari is crowned with a sundowner on the crest of the sand dunes. Stylish with karieter tablecloth and a selection of various alcoholic beverages we enjoy the sunset in the red desert. The girls build sand castles in the red sand and slide down the dunes. And if you look closely at the nature of listens, one hears no non-natural sound that has something .... The time between the safaris will be spent swimming in the cold pool or in the hammock .... Nicole gets a little education. Antonia has struggling with new teeth and can be seen not only at their best ... fries are very popular and the girls lead very clear in the rank list of typical Namibian children's menu ...

Oryx herd in the Kalahari desert

Springbok in the Kalahari desert

Wildebeest herd in the Kalahari desert

A Culinary German lesson makes us our "teachers being" highly

The Bad Homburg-sandbox can unfortunately not keep up - Sundowner in the Kalahari desert

8:10 .- 10.10.2009 - Canyon we come from - the southernmost tip of our tour

Ca. 400km are our day's work for today. How much gravel as much road? We can surprise us. As it is for decent German, every 2 hours, the driver is changed, ran every adult must go. We drive through Mariental (approximately 13,300 inhabitants) - means in the language of the Namaqua dusty area and it also happens. Nevertheless, there is a savings and we fill the Water - supply and continue to gummy bears .... was not more to do here. Keetmanshop is the next location which is not too much larger. After a number of inconsistencies), where parked and in which the "numerous" coffee shops - is it a huge choice-break should be made, we still get our coffee

We slowly the landscape "stony". Again and again, the streets - of course gravel surrounded by huge red-colored rock formations. Around 17:00 clock we reached the Canyon Lodge near the Fish River Canyon. Our next overnight stop. We are located in a mountain camp

admittedly very comfortable self-catering camp with a fully equipped kitchen. "A rectangular courtyard with a small courtyard is our new home for the next 2 days. Ariane can not miss it and runs - despite a round of cold-in this setting are wrong, which is characterized by red rock formations, prairie grass and quiver trees.

flowing down the Fish River Canyon is proving somewhat difficult. Despite some training sessions in the Taunus region today are not all the girls for a walk in standing heat and loneliness to inspire and the entire event falls a bit into the water .... If any wonder ... We are working on it ... Our picnic stop place far formerly glistening sun instead and then we turn around ... Opi Eberhard is still finished the tour and told us afterwards. Nevertheless, an impression of this largest canyon we got. In the afternoon we go swimming a round. The location of the pool sprängt the conceptual ideas, surrounded by colossal rock formations, it looks out of the pool a little cold on the prairie ... gigantic. The Baths of Kronberg and Königstein can not keep up because, unfortunately. So you can treat yourself and nothing else ...

The 3 girls Tri0

eigendlich The girls make themselves quite well. The everyday annoyances such as "the mine", "you're Kak ..."," no, my mommy "to run again on normal ... no more, but unfortunately, not less ... So we are quite happy eigendlich, have also regularly irregular overnight change easily accepted, especially the two big right. Unfortunately, we are all still angegrippt what successively through all the "small-group members" of the Massmann Party is passed and which led, despite enormous aid kit already to a doctor visit to Alex and Ariane in Swakomund. Antonia had to fight the first day both with teeth, climate change and flu, what you / and then we did pretty well to create. But everything will be fine .... Alexia eats like a horse, and strangely enough, Nicole is currently the largest Pinzchen. Fortunately, there are spaghetti without all ... Antonia yapped each day and her body is not exactly temperate.

see your: also south of the equator, the concerns remain the same ....

One problem we have been able to solve not yet ... Alexia has earned an ice cream for a dry diaper .... but there are only "Solero" and vanilla ice cream is not for the girls is acceptable ... and therefore will prefer to dispense entirely with ice. But here we are yet to find a solution.

nine hours' drive banana "- the hole mill is greeting - or 540 km gravel road in one day - 9.10. 2009

What to do with the kids, when 600 days km are on the program?

much paint, read, tell stories do not. Thus, try out the 540 km gravel roads out the best and reinvent "the banana down" ever so slight hill every call goes through the car, "banana" - according to a carousel in the hole mill - an idea of Nicoletta. Unfasten is quite time allows, look also at times by the passenger or "taking hand" the tax is approved ... and to guide all stakeholders of distance from Trott. Erik's iPhone with various children's songs are doing an important contribution to the pastime. The kids take it left amazing and also on the Geruckel the gravel roads they seem nowhere to have as much as we do. The landscape is absolutely fascinating, and moves slowly from the semi-desert to steppe to desert, which we reach with our destination in the Namib desert. This time, a larger - but also very nice lodge at the foot of petrified dunes. Very nicely, but animal safaris are not in the foreground

The world's best dirt roads (Quote of the Namibian Tourism Association)

Shopping Center in the middle of nowhere between Windhoek and Mariental

practice makes perfect

More to come ... and we are out of the bus again - after our departure from Johannesburg hear from each other until then, it let you go well. Best wishes your men and 5 mass Opi (Eberhard Lewinski)