NAMIBIA GS "LAIDBACK" PILLION FRIENDLY TOUR 2011 - CALLING FOR DEPOSITS

This Tour will be lead by Peter O Hanlon and looking at the possible routes will be a really great Tour.

any idea of the cost? Even if it's just a thumb suck?

Hi Peter,

Please add me as confirmed - no pillion.

thanks

Stan

1x 1200GSA and 2x peoples

MartinD and pillion

Hi,

I'm from London where I did a lot of biking, the excellent Honda VFR750 was my main form of transport, rain, wind, cold, hot, snow....you name it. I (me and the Mrs), have been in Namibia for these past ten years, and currently own and run The Raft Restaurant in Walvis Bay www.theraftrestaurant.com and we'd be happy to see you here at the end of your tour through the dunes.

Check us out via google, and please let us know when you'd arrive in Walvis, we could possibly help with bookings, tours, accommodation etc.

I would strongly advise the taking along of a satphone if you're considering an off road route, just as an insurance measure. Wrap it up, tape it under the seat and forget about it, hopefully!

Warm regards.

Gary

www.theraftrestaurant.com (At the end of the sand dunes on the left)

Guys & Gals,

Please use you real names when booking on the forum including your e mail address or send us a mail so that we have your and your pillions names as well as an e mail address.

This just makes our lives that much easier.

garygee : The group will be in Walvis bay and Swakop but staying in Swakop before heading for Windhoek on dirt and a visit to the famous Joe's Beer house. I will chat to Peter about including you in the itinerary.

please book me a spot. hopefully i'll have a pillion by then

thanks 

ater mcdonald

atermcd@vodamail.co.za

Hi Peter, I would like to be included in the 2011 Nam tour.

Regards

Jacques Slabber

slabber@ddcconstruction.co.za

Hi Pete,  Please include Etha and myself.

Tentative list is as follows:

Peter O Hanlon - Guide

Stan van Rensburg

Martin & Annine Denkhaus

Ater McDonald & Pillion

Jacques Slabber

Neville & Etha du Toit

Frans & Chantal Coetzee

Simon Bloomhill

Russell Rathbone

Gisela Rathbone

Jeremy & Dale Martin

Tristan & Alison Riley

Leon Jordaan

Vanessa Hawtrey

Nic Prinsloo

Rob Selig

Melanie Boyce (Canada)

Kobus Vlok

Chris Dunn

Belinda Dunn

James De Waal

Peter please book me a spot - no pillion

Simon Bloomhill

simon@expeditionafrica.co.za

Thanks

Simon

Unfortunately I can't edit the list but I'll keep adding to it as the names come in:

I will have to get divorced before I can go on this trip without being stoned or crucified.

If I start proceedings immediately I might however still make it in time...............

It is probably cheaper to just take your wife along with you.

Who knows she may just love it.

Please add myself and Dale (pillion) to the list. I don't want to miss this one if I can help it.

Hi Pete....I am very keen to join on this trip. Having already travelled through Namibia in a car i quickly realised that this was the wrong mode of transport........Namibia is an absolute bike haven....dirt roads, dunes, river beds the good stuff just keeps coming. So please book Alison and I for this one and if my dearest can organise some additional leave we'll be in...yes please!! This trip any day before The Wild Coast....no offence Geoff;-)

I also hope that we will be spending at least a full day in Swakop.....its definitely one of the nicer towns in Namibia I've been to.

Looking forward to seeing the itinerary.

Cheers

Tristan

Please include Brenda Buttercup and Mr.Badger, as a couple to share a garage - oh, and their chauffeurs - Charles and Julie.

Hi Pete,

I am very keen, need to just pass it by the missus. What do you estimate the trip will cost?

Leon Jordaan (aka SilverFox)

Pete is still getting prices but it is a lengthy time consuming process trying to combine dates, venues, accommodation for a large group, meals, etc.

I think Peter is coming to see me this evening to discuss these issues but if not tonight probably tomorrow.

We also needed to gauge response to this Tour before spending time with all the nuts and bolts.

Tristan : Swakopmund is a rest day for the group!

Jean & I did Namibia some 2 years ago in December, from Cape Town back home, 4 nights in B & B other 6 nights camping R11000-00 including fuel. Sesriem/Sousiesvlei was our favourite stop over by far, petrol stations ran out of fuel. Seeheim we paid R10-00 per litre, is an interesting place non the less.

I am so envious.

Gauging from the response to this trip it is definitely taking place.

Peter and I met last night to discuss some finer details including a back up vehicle.

The booking process will start shortly. Once this is confirmed we will communicate final costs to the group.

There will be rest days in Luderitz giving you time to visit the "ghost" town of Kolmanskop, Diaz cross or even Elizabeth Bay (permit required). Diamonds were found at Kolmanskop and Elizabeth Bay. Or take a lovely boat trip out of the harbour as it slowly takes visitors on a sail around the intricate harbour.

Then have lunch at Ritzi's restaurant in Luderitz Waterfront. Great food....

Next rest day is in the Sesriem/Soussusvlei area

http://www.google.co.za/images?hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=Gwn&rls=org.moz...

Allowing visitors time to visit Sossusvlei. Or if you are really feeling like spoiling yourself take an early morning balloon ride and have breakfast in the desert where you land.

Not so rich? How about a 1.5 hour flight from Sesriem to the coast and back visting Sandwich harbour from the air - breathtaking scenery.

Then the last day "off" is in Swakopmund.

Ride to Henties Bay along the "salt" road (be mindful of theft in Henties).

Or go to Walvis bay and take a trip on one of the big ski boats that feeds the seals that jump onto the boat. Who knows you may even get a kiss from one of these giant mammals.

Feed the flying Pelican's from the boat while moving, a sight to behold.

For dinner go for authentic German Cuisine : Zur Kupferpfanne Restaurant.

Or visit the Brauhaus 22 Kaiser Wilheim St.

You can not visit Namibia without trying real German food - bratwürst, sauerkraut and a huge German beer.

In Windhoek you will visit the famous Joe's Beer House, an experience not to miss.

I am starting to think I should come along as well.

Geoff

Don't forget the most awesome trip of the year is over Easter:  The BMW Clubs Africa Bike Fest at Oudtshoorn.  Best we don't clash with this or I will be torn in two.

Thanks Charles.

Please add me to the list for this one, thanks.

Rob Selig

Have not driven a bike for many years, but I just bought a 2010 1200 Adventure and would like to go on this trip and take my wife along.  Cannot wait to take delivery of my bike - got the GSA 2 weeks ago.

kobus.vlok@vodamail.co.za

Please put me and belinda down 2 x bikes

Good day to you all,

Please don't think that we have forgotten about you or this fantastic Tour to Namibia. It is definitely taking place and it will definitely be in April 2011.

Peter is frantically putting dates & accommodation options together so we will have the exact details for you soon.

We will have to put a "cap" on the amount of riders (not pillions) that can go on the Tour and this will be conveyed to you shortly. The places on the Tour will then be offered on a first "booked" basis with the "extra's" going on to a waiting list. Please therefore advise us immediately if for some reason you are no longer interested in or unable to make the Tour.

Look out for further information shortly.

Regards,

Geoff

Hey Geoff

Please put my name down for Namibia .............. been meaning to add it for some time.

Cheers

James de Waal

jamesdewaal@gmail.com

April is Julie's busiest month so I was remiss in suggesting we would participate.  Please unbook us from this trip.

regards

Charles

Ok so far we have 11 couples plus another 10 riders.

That's 20 bikes so far, which is about the limit.  From now on the names will go on a waiting list.

I am using the numbers I have received so far to book accommodation, which hopefully will be at the following stops:

TENTATIVE ITINERARY (Lodging dependant)

Day 1 : Springbok

Day 2 : Ai Ais

Day 3 : Luderitz

Day 5 : Maltahoha

Day 6 : Sesriem

Day 8 : Swakopmund

Day 10: Windhoek

Day 11 : Helmeringhausen

Day 12 : Orange River

Day 13 : Drinks at Pete's place

Remember this is a VERY tentative itinerary at this stage, but it gives you a chance to scout the routes on Google Earth while I confirm dates, times, places, border details, accommodation details, prices, fuel etc etc etc.