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Today I left Windhoek shortly after the guys departed. I decided to see more of the Namibian landscape and wildlife. I headed for Heja Game Lodge and negotiated a decent price for one nights accommodation, a safari drive and an airport transfer for tomorrow morning. It was a strange feeling not being with the guys after 3 weeks of having their company. On arrival at the Lodge (about 20k out of Windhoek) I proceeded to walk around the oldest man made lake in Namibia. The receptionist was pretty nonchalant about my intent to hike around the lake. I saw Warthog, Springbok and Ostrich which was a treat. Later in the afternoon on the game drive the guide pointed out leopard prints in the sand and advised me Cheetah and Leopard were quite prevalent in the area due to the presence of Baboons, Blessbok, Kudu, Oryx, Impala, Springbok etc. On the game drive I saw all of these animals with the addition of Mountain Zebras, Black Wilderbeast and Antelope. The drive was a nice way to complete my African adventure and it cost all of about $10 Australian dollars. Primarily because I am one of only a few staying here. My legs feel much better today after all the riding and I'm already feeling restless not being in the saddle of a bike. My bike is in a box now and Wade took a tyre as his was quite worn. Tomorrow my primary objective is to get the bicycle home. It wasn't an easy task on the way over trying to avoid excess baggage charges on 3 different airlines I expect the same challenges returning. It will be interesting to see whether customs want a closer inspection when I land on Australian soil. I will no doubt have an early night prior to becoming airborne at 11.35 tomorrow. I have some photos to post on my return which were taken on a better camera not the iPhone. Thanks to everyone that helped make my trip possible especially my family - Jen, Hannah, Lily, Mum, Dad and my fellow riders.
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Antonio Hello Manfredche II and friends !Thanks for your again very innitesterg and practical questions 1. I think that the first son is married and he will succeed the farm, but will he live and work on the farm definitively? Perhaps another child is more interested?We might think so that the oldest son shall be the successor of the farm. This is indeed common practise in Germany. However, the Owambo tradition gives the youngest son the farm of the parents, and when thinking about it, this really makes sense. The oldest son while being married and working in Windhoek is currently starting his own farm in the same village near to Sustainche Farm.2. Where are the toilettes and where can they wash their clothes and themselves?Water is a very precious natural resource in Northern Namibia and Owambo have traditionally learned to utilize water in the highest efficient manner we can imagine. Here you will not find any wasting of water !Indeed, there is only one central water tap in the farm house. The central water supply can be extended to other place in the farm house with a horse pipe (there is a picture available in the Farm House album). Outside of each and every bedroom there is an enclosed place for daily personal hygiene. Clothes are washed by hand. The toilet is located outside the house as you may find it today on some farms in mountainous Bavaria as well.3. Electricity?As mentioned with the Basic Facts Sustainche Farm is not connected to the Namibian electricity network. However, minimum electricity supply for some light bulbs and TV is secured by one photo voltaic solar panel. During the day the solar energy is accumulated in a battery. We’ll show you a picture of the solar panel in the Farm House album soon !Thus, both water & electricity are very precise goods on Sustainche Farm, and we encourage all community members to consider and debate how to improve this situation, which in particular refers to the utilization of renewable energies !This is our reply for now Warm regards from Northern Namibia, Sustainche, Lisa & the Sustainche Farm family