If you go on a trip near Zurich, the largest but not the most beautiful city in Switzerland, you have to expect to meet many others doing the same thing. Whether on the Pfannenstiel, on the Uetliberg or along the lake promenade – everywhere you are surrounded by other people. Some with red socks, others with hiking sticks and backpacks.

It’s completely different when you go on a trip around Swakopmund, which is what we did the day before yesterday. We arranged to meet up with a couple we were friends with for a trip to the Swakop Rivier, which extends behind Swakopmund. Two years ago, the Swakop River flowed wildly into the sea – for the first time in over eleven years!

Now, however, the riverbed was dry and served as a natural road into the hinterland for our two Toyota 4x4s. On the drive into a side valley, where we spent a lovely afternoon, we encountered two ostriches, a Namaqua chameleon that crossed our path, but no other people! We had everything we needed for a Braai: wood, meat, sausages, potato salad, beer and wine. And for dessert, Sigi served us a crème brûlée. We enjoyed this sunny afternoon in solitude, just a good twenty kilometres from Swakopmund!

PS. If you want to know more about the desert chameleon, read here.