Deserts and Dunes from dawn til dusk

This entire day in the southern Namib Desert (Namib-Naukluft National Park) was a dream come true for me. I’ve wanted to visit Sossusvlei, Dune 45, and Deadvlei for several years, after a friend showed me photos of his visit. You’ll see why the stunning landscape piqued my interest!

Sossusvlei

Sunrise at Dune 45

The sand from the dunes is ferrous (iron) so the colors are absolutely incredible. The sand turns into a vivid orange during sunrise and then a softer orange/brown during the daytime.

Dune 45

We climbed to the top of Dune 45 (the dunes are numbered and only a few are accessible to tourists) to watch the sunrise. It was much easier to walk in bare feet and wonderful to feel the sand beneath my feet.

Thank you Hana, for my croissant sweatshirt!

So incredibly content to be here!

Nicko cooked us french toast for breakfast after our sunrise at Dune 45!

Big Daddy

The second dune I climbed was “Big Daddy”, which is three times higher than Dune 45. The top of the dune had incredible views of Sossusvlei

Sweaty but happy at the top of Big Daddy

The view from Big Daddy dune

I laughed in disbelief when Victor (our trip guide) said the best way down the dune was the run down the dune - but it was! And it was exhilarating. This is me pointing to where I ran down from.

Our ride to get to Big Daddy dune

Deadvlei

• Another dream come true! This area is famous for its dead skeleton trees, which are scorched black due to the desert sun. The trees are believed to be 800-1000 years old. The starkness of the trees against the jeweled-tone blue sky and orange sand is stunning.

The desert night sky

• No words. Being able to see the Milky Way every night has been incredible. Looking up gives me such a strong feeling of wonder and joy and gratitude to be alive and living.