We have an early morning today, so we can reach the canyon before the sun starts to heat up too much. It is about a 10km trip to the main view point of the canyon. Fish River Canyon is the second largest in the world next to the Grand Canyon in the USA. It is very impressive, the colours spectacular.

We stand around soaking up the sights and contemplate how long the canyon took to be created… originally it had glaciers! There are a few different view points, dotted along the rim and we drive along so we can get a different prospective. Some of the spots you need to walk to. On our last stop we checked with a guide parked next to us- it was a 500m walk, but be careful not to touch the cactus as they were poison… just another confirmation for David that every plant in Africa is deadly!

Its 10.40 and already 36 degrees, we get back to the campsite and make a beeline for the pool. We meet an Aussie and his Thai wife who have lived in London for the last 20 years. They are on a gap year, travelling the world, before relocating back to Australia. Before long a tour bus pulls in and the pool is inundated – you couldn’t get a foot in! A storm came thru with cold rain and wind – this was a surprise to everyone – it really cooled things down.

We had dinner at the restaurant – while there we met a South African couple who we discussed wages, house loans, schooling etc. They advised that most people carry guns – even when shopping. They live in a gated community – has 2 fences, security guards and cctv on all streets!

Brendan and I have a shot of Jägermeister- yuck – has a spicy liquorice taste… as the bar closes- more shots for David and Brendan.

We are happy to head off to bed, so the South African couple invite Brendan to party on into the night for New Year’s Eve.

Happy New Year, 2019!