The Chronicles of Namibia with OFFBEAT Photography
Earlier this month I had the chance to travel to Africa for the first time, a continent that’s long been on my travel bucket list. After two days in numerous airports and planes, I finally arrived in Windhoek, Namibia. Windhoek was the starting point for The Chronicles of Namibia, a travel photography workshop with OFFBEAT Photography.
Over the next two weeks I had the privilege of exploring the varied landscapes and experiences that Namibia has to offer. Spitzkoppe delivered other worldly rock formations and searing hot temperatures. The Quiver Tree Forest provided a unique visual landscape under starry night skies. I saw the South Atlantic Ocean at Luderitz and explored the Kolmanskop ghost town.
At Deadvlei I marvelled at the bizarre landscape surrounded by towering dunes. I climbed to the top of Dune 45 on a chilly morning to watch an ethereal sunrise that no photos can do proper justice. In Etosha I watched rhinos have a standoff at a watering hole, towers of giraffes munch prickly treetops and two lions enjoy a meal of fresh rhino while laying under a tree.
And while all of these locations were amazing in their own ways, it was the people and the memories that we created together that will always stick with me. Late night drinks around the fire while swapping stories and sharing laughs. Unexpectedly solo paragliding off sand dunes on a windy morning. Riding quads through the sand dunes and body boarding face first down dunes, mouths full of sand. Eating delicious apple pastries on the road. Struggling with friends to pull the dang ladders off of the roof top tents. Singing along to cheesy songs during the long road trips. Watching the most stunning sunset of my life while giraffes hung out at the watering hole, oblivious to the majesty we were all experiencing. Truck snack bags filled with goodies and shared with travel mates. Cramming into a cave to escape the extreme heat, snakes and scorpions be damned. 16 of us huddling in the wash up hut during a torrential downpour, enjoying a happy hour and sharing our favourite moments of the trip. Those are the memories that will stay with me.
Until next time, Namibia.
Special thanks to my partners in crime and fellow Offbeat leaders: Kahli April, Dave Brosha, Lee Nordbye and Aaron Von Hagen for making the trip one for the books.
