Day started well with lots of birthday kisses from a bevvy of attractive females, and then a chorus of "hb2u" before we could leave. Perhaps surprisingly, mine has been the first birthday (or at least the first admitted one) in the four months since leaving Cairo.
Our first visit was to the "Giant's Playground" near Keetmanshoop - where large dolorite boulders have been scattered and piled, sometimes rather precariously, one on top of the other, sometimes in columns, in an area of some 80,000 sq.km.
We had to visit a nearby animal sanctuary so that Karina could see a cheater (she has been desperate to see one for weeks since missing our one only sighting in the Serengeti) and managed to see two lazing under trees.
Our final visit was to the Quiver Tree Forest", so called because the San people used the branches to make quivers for their bows. Most unusual trees, some well over 100 years old.
Upon arrival at camp, we had an "English high tea" - i.e. chocolate gateau with coffee icing masquerading as birthday cake, with lashings of hot tea, and plates with folded paper napkins and forks under the shade of of giant acacia trees. First cake in four months.
Then it was off again, now to Fish River Canyon - eclipsed in size and grandeur only by the Grand Canyon itself. It really is quite stupendous and photos will never do it justice - when I have seen pictures before, I thought they were actually of the G C itself, as the geology seems so very similar. Difficult to find a better ending for a birthday.
At least, I thought that was the end but after dinner (pasta and chicken breast in case you ask), another birthday cake was carried in, ablaze with a host of candles - the "won't blow out" variety to everyone's amusement. A speech was demanded and, sort of, given by a surprised, embarrassed and almost overwhelmed me.
Not a bad day.
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