I’ve done what I came here to do on this trip. I retraced my steps and completed the day of disaster, and lightning didn’t strike twice in the same place. The rest of my trip is now gravy, that I’m still looking forward to, if only I can swing a cold I picked up along the way which has now made it’s way from my head to chest. Hacking coughing lung flem. yuck!
I’m back in Swakopmund Namibia, and yesterday morning I went Sand Boarding and then Quad Biking. I won’t spend time writing much about each activity as they were very similar experiences.
The sand boarding dunes look just like I remember and riding down them was as thrilling as the first time.
It’s interesting, I arrived at the quad biking/ATV rental facility where I got my tour last time. Everyone was asking me if I was nervous or scared. Not one bit. Excited as can be was more like it. I walk into the shop and am quickly greeted with a warning sign and a large sign forbidding fishtailing the bikes, exactly what I was doing last time. They didn’t exist when I was here last time and neither did the 15 minute safety meeting. Last time we just jumped on and took off. Also they have eliminated the larger quads that I road when I was last here. 125 cc are now here instead of 250cc quads. I wonder how much if any my accident had to do with the change. In speaking with some of the staff they remembered the accident, not me, and are all surprised to see me back. Unfortunately, the owner wasn’t there as I had hoped. I vaguely remember him coming to see me at the hospital and I’m told by one of the staff he showed because he was worried I was going to die that first night.
Riding through the dunes was a blast and the experience was much different, it’s refreshing to see they’ve made changes. Before it was anything’s game, now it’s more controlled and safety seemed to be paramount to the guide. The ride was much slower overall.
I started the ride not nervous at all and on my first banked dune coaster pass anxiety I wasn’t expecting or had suppressed came to light. I didn’t allow the stomach butterfly and nervousness set me back and kept at it for two more hours of sand dunning fun.
I just finished a walk to the first medical clinic where I was first taken. The walk is what meant the most, that I’m here and can walk at all, and I feel blessed.
