Stranded
Namibia / 10 - 16 September 2019
From Etosha the navigation only sees one route to get to Sesfontein, via Opuwo, a big detour. First 190 km to the north and then 150 km to the south. Onno has found a trail that leads along a river in almost a straight line to our next destination. It has been so dry that the river itself can also be driven properly, confirms the police officer who checks the traffic from north to south for the presence of fresh meat. It is a beautiful track through soft sand with on both sides a long stretched oasis with green trees. Off-road driving can be that much fun, we remember. We follow the deep tracks with a low tire pressure. We barely make speed. Enough time to enjoy the wild life that grazes on the banks and shoots into the bushes as we approach. Giraffes abound, more than in Etosha. Fascinating animals with their prehistoric physique and yet an elegant way of walking that would not look out of place on a catwalk.
Overheated
In the afternoon we arrive at a campsite that also has a beautiful Lodge. The rear of the car is completely covered by a thick layer of sand. The two doors are no longer visible. They give access to all kitchen supplies, which we like to keep sand free. With our brand new compressor we blow away all grains. Until the compressor stops abruptly. Too hot, we think. That also applies to ourselves, the outside temperature is well above 35 degrees. We go for a cold beer at the Lodge. When we return, the compressor is still refusing and the refrigerator is no longer working either. This is more serious than we thought. Onno discovers that an 80 amp fuse has blown. ORC has placed this fuse between the battery and the newly built-in compressor, inverter, solar panel and the refrigerator.
This time we break out in sweat for other reasons. So stupid, we have not included a spare fuse of 80 ampere. The Mercedes dealer has provided us with more than 50 fuses for the car. We can start a business like this. The big fuse has escaped our attention, unfortunately. The management of the Lodge also has no copy, they are not used in cars. They go to Opuwo the day after tomorrow and offer to buy the fuse there. Such a fuse is used for trucks and agricultural vehicles. Trucks hardly drive in the north. Agricultural vehicles are here. The manager thinks Onno's proposal to append a photo of the big fuse is a good idea. Two rest days and hopefully we can continue.
Looking
The next day Onno smashes a wire with a hammer, and his fingertip, flat to make a bridge. If the compressor is broken, a new fuse will not help either. We have planned six days through the northern terrain. We cannot get through the rough and deserted area without releasing and inflating the tires. After a while I hear the familiar hum, the compressor is working. Happy.
The manager is on the road today and full of excitement we are waiting for the redeeming phone call that he has found the Maxi fuse. Unfortunately, he did not find the fuse at the garage. However, another tourist who is also looking for the 80 ampere gem and has already scoured the entire town. Nowhere to get. That is bad news.
Fortunately there are always helpful people
Immediately Onno searches the internet in other places and I app our good friend Luc. Onno calls a garage for 4 × 4 cars in a village 230 km away. The owner can't search his stock until tonight. The last copy was probably built in last week. But he can order the part in Windhoek, then he will have it on Monday.
Luc has meanwhile read my app and immediately offers to buy and send the fuse in the Netherlands. DHL promises on its site Express service within 1 to 5 days worldwide. While Onno chats with DHL about the shipment, Luc reports that he has found the desired copy and will immediately buy and ship. The DHL chat service employee confirms that an Express package is within Windhoek within 4 days. Further transport to remote areas will take 7 extra days. "That is not a guarantee" is typed quickly. That is disappointing. We don't want to wait that long.
The next morning we text the owner of the 4 × 4 garage in Kamanjab several times, curious if the order in Windhoek was successful. Not a single reaction from the German speaking man who came across so gründlich and pünktlich. He does check his app regularly, we already see it stalking. We decide to bet on several horses. ORC emails that it is unusual for the fuse to blow and refers to a company in Windhoek that also modifies Mercedes G. We call around and are referred to Diesel Electric, a Bosch company, which stocks dozens of the coveted fuses. Our order is large, 10 fuses of 80 amps and also 40 amps. We do not take any risk that the fuse will not fit and we also ask for two matching holders. The dealer will not send the shipment until he has the money. He cannot do anything with a credit card. The Lodge is willing to transfer the amount, but the administrative employee does not start until 17.00 p.m., it is Friday, but that aside. Then the post office closes. We approach African-speaking tourists, who very sweetly offered a fuse from their rental car before. These nice South Africans, François and Jackie, are immediately willing to transfer the amount via the internet. Payment confirmation will be answered with proof of dispatch by Diesel Electric. The package is on its way. We breathe a sigh of relief. That evening we toast with the couple with a South African Gin Tonic (Six Dogs, highly recommended). François and Jackie share their lives in South Africa, which they see deteriorating rapidly, and their dreams of a future beyond. Above all, we dream of getting back on the road quickly, because it looks like a part of one euro will delay us by a week.
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Hi Onno & Ingrid
Jackie here, we're back in South Africa after leaving you behind in Khowarib to complete our tour of Namibia. I'm sorry to hear that you had such problems to get the parcel, but hopefully things will only get better now. We will follow your trip with interest.
Jackie & Francois
Hi Jackie and Francois,
It was indeed a challenge to get the package, but we learned that this is Africa :).
Good to hear that you complete your journey safely, and are now at 'home sweet home'.
We go where to wind brings us, and are now planning to enter Khaudum National Park. Curious on the wildlife there.
Thanks angain for bringing us on the road again.
Lots of love, Onno and Ingrid
Hi Jackie and Francois,
It was indeed a challenge to get the package, but we learned that this is Africa :).
Good to hear that you complete your journey safely, and are now at 'home sweet home'.
We go where to wind brings us, and are now planning to enter Khaudum National Park. Curious on the wildlife there.
Thanks angain for bringing us on the road again.
Lots of love, Onno and Ingrid
Hi Onno and Ingrid,
Beautiful website and stories.
I am already looking forward to the next report.
You have already experienced a lot and had to solve a lot.
Fortunately, all of this was successful and you can experience unforeseen adventures again. Awesome.
I hope the fuse continues to do its job well and you can enjoy it without major problems.
Have a good trip.
Hi Jan,
Nice to hear from you. It is indeed a journey with some obstacles, but that makes it so varied. We are also constantly changing plans, now we have decided to shift the route to an area where the bushman is still alive. Totally different than my travels with the Penguin Motor Club, where everything is planned in advance. But then again, we have a little more time for this trip, and therefore freedom. Possibly also something for the PMC, we leave and see where and when we return?
Regards,
Onno & Ingrid.
PS. fuse is still intact and we still have 9 reserve
It reads like a very exciting book anyway!
Let us know if we can do something, right? After all, win are in the neighborhood 🙂
No lack of adventure indeed. It is nice to know that there is help in South Africa 🙂
Greetings from a warm Sesfontein (40 gr. +)
Hello Onno and Ingrid
Our compliments for the beautiful pieces
We see it that way
Ingrid, you can easily sell the columns to a travel magazine
We enjoy all your fun and less fun things
What would Onno have had the trouble with that fuse of 80 ampere
If you read this, we hope you enjoy driving again
Simon and Annemari
What a sweet response! How nice that you read and enjoy so faithfully.
Not taking that fuse with us was a shame, but we both didn't think about it in the Netherlands at all. So we can resign ourselves to it, you can't think of everything.
Fortunately, you are not still in that riverbed, but in a lodge with so many friendly people… the glass is half full?? and next week you will laugh about it!
We have said that to each other a few times, we are happy that it happened now and not in the remote high north. It is secretly nice here at this luxury Lodge 🙂