I was scanning negatives today and found these snaps of when Michele and I were childless and could still go camping... anyhow we landed up in AI-AIs, before it was mismanaged into the ground ....... and we were just in time to witness the flood of the century happening there.... it was amazing, the Namibians all stare din awe as the campsite was flooded, whilst the tourist from Europe demanded their money back..... did'nt understand what so much water in the desert meant...
there was this german chap, who came to AI-Ais every year from Austria, he was a bird watcher and spent an entire month every year in the same caravan in the same corner of the campsite..... when the first water approached he refused to move....later his caravan got submerged and they needed a bulldozer to pull his caravan out..... anyhow...
Ai Ais 1997 just after the flood, fish river still flowing strong
http://www.livevideo.com/video/A7E96FE890CF4ED39DB551BA5699B5A3/fish-river-canyon-ii.aspx?lastvcid=205297
Yep, that was 1997 I think.,... Michele will confirm.... I cannot do Live video, blerrie African bandwidth....
He he he told you to lubricate your line with bits and byte grease , that may help LOL
Jokes aside, in 1986 the water was high too, when going through the river to climb the mountains, the water was up to my belly, held my cam high, the belt broke and the Cam dived in the river.
I removed the film, placed the cam in the sun, next day all was OK and still working today.
The Film was not developped, but my nicest canyon shots spoiled. So i had to come again in 1997
We left premature, nothing worked after the floods.... No AC, No water in the bath room, no toilet flush, no swimming pool, no nothing apart from moskitos but enough WHK Lager image11 thanks god for that......
We then stopped at the canyon Lodge, a little paradise.
Ha... You must have just missed Michele and I..... we were camoing on the grass and eventually had to move our tent up to the restaurant, the manager at the time was a guy called Sakkie Rothman, lives in UIS now.... it was funny sitting in your tent with your cadac gas fire when 2 metres away all the European tourist were being served by waiters at tables.... Sakkie was awesome when the flood hit,... he took all the tourists up onto the stone wall and proceeded to give a lecture on the origins of the flood, how it was cleaning the canyon, the rock types , water absorbtion etc.... he had a crowd of about 50 tourists gatheres on that wall whilst he spoke..... awesome stuff.... but yes, afterwards the place was trashed...nothing worked...the eyes was submerged under mud...everywhere you looked..was just mud ..mud mud..... but it was still fun for us locals...
@ Mike
That must have been March/April 1997
We were at the canyon when the big rain started, i would have loved to stay there, but had to move back to Ai Ais. That was the time of camping advantage, but we stayed in the appartment
In 1986 we stayed in a camp mobile for a full week, could not get a room booking......
I liked Ai Ais and so dit my kids
Michele's gone to a birthday party at a neighbour, but she will know the exact date.... I have more pics somewhere... will post later.....
@ Mike
I look forward to those pics
But please not larger then 700 pixel LOL dont be to lazy to resize them or i tell the Moderator LOL thumper
Sssssh! :emot19_2: