April, 29, the cape of good hope has been on visible.

4月29日、とうとう喜望峰が視界に入って来た。



I was coming from east, and it was on my left hand side. The left side of the road was dropped to the ocean. There were many sea lions jumping.

湾を挟んて東側の半島から、左手にケープポイントを見ながら進んだ。断崖の下には海が広がっていて、アザラシがジャンプするのが良く見てわかる。




In Boulders beach, I saw cape penguins.

ボルダーズビーチではケープペンギンも見れた。岩場を歩く姿には癒された。






Where I was was only about 50km away of the distance in a straight line. I have to cycle all the way along the ocean.
I will try to get to the cape point in the early morning of tomorrow.

直線距離なら喜望峰まで50kmも無いくらいなのだけれど、海岸沿いにグルリと周って喜望峰を攻略する。アタックは明日早朝に決めた。5月1日の日の出、なかなかきりが良い

より大きな地図で Cycling East Africa 2/2 を表示




Tonight is the last bush camp. This is really the last. I wonder how many times I pitched my tent since the beginning. I feel a bit sad for bush camping. It has been giving me always the opportunity of the silentness and observing sparkling stars.
On the other hand, I am very happy to be able to sleep on the bed. I have really been sleeping in the tent since Zambia for everyday, it's really everyday.

今夜は喜望峰16km手前で野宿だ。これが本当に最後の野宿になる。ここまで何回テントを広げただろうか。この静けさと、満点の星空が支配する空間も今日が最後かと思うと少し寂しい。
一方で、やっと布団で眠られる日々が続く喜びもある。



I came through some surrounding area of the Cape Town today. It was busy and stressful. Im camping now only 16km away from the cape point. Its not very far from the town.
My camp spot of tonight is very calm and quiet. I hear a sound of small stream. Some time, I even hear the sound from baboons. This is really the last bush night.
For tomorrow, I will wake up really early.

雑踏の中を今日走って来たのが嘘のように今は静まり返っている。近くには綺麗な小川が流れていて、チョロチョロという音がする。時々バブーンが山の中で叫ぶのが聞こえる。それもこれも今夜が最後、明日は早いぞ。

After cycling through Namibia; on the gravel for 800km, I still have energy to go on a dart road again.
I feel I have to see the beauty of nature. It doesn't matter how long I have to cycle on bad road.

あれだけナミビアで未舗装を走ったのにこりない私。それでも景色が良いなら行くしかない。Cederberg Wilderness Area






It was amazing scenery though the road was a bad condition. There were many plants I've never seen.

道が凄まじく悪い以外は文句なし。見た事の無い花や草が沢山生えていた。








This is Rooibos plants in wild. Those used to be used by San-Bushman as medical plants. Now, many products of this have been exported to Japan.

これがルイボス茶の原料になる草。サン族が薬草として飲んでいたそうだ。



Seemed Hiking was one of the good options to enjoy this area. There were plenty of trekking routes.

トレッキングルートも整備されていて、それ目的でも十分面白そうな場所。バランシングロックや、滝まで行くルートなんか面白そうだった。




According to a tourist information, there are many bushman's rock arts left in this region. However, looked its impossible to find by myself unless I had a guide because there were no signs.

観光案内曰く、この辺りの岩場にはサン族の岩絵が沢山残されているそうな。ただ、目印とか全く無いので、ガイド無しでは見付けるのはまず無理でしょう。




It was easy to manage the water. There were some places where fresh and cold water running.

そのまま飲める美味しい水もいろんな場所で流れていた。冷えてて美味しい。




In a reservoir, many water plants have grown on the bottom. I felt like observing a big nature aquarium tank from the top.

ため池には水草がビッシリ生えていて、巨大アクアリウム水槽を上から見ている感じだった。




As I passed over the mountain region, the Wine Land had been appeared. This region is the main wine producing area in South Africa, and the wine from here has been exported for all over the world.

この山岳地帯を降りると、ワインランド。この地域が南アフリカワインの中心的な場所で、ここから世界各国に輸出されているそうな。




Another pass after Ceres
Ceresからの峠道



The vineyards were all over this place. The history of wine making in South Africa is actually long. It's even longer than America and Australia.
The quality of it is also recognized by several prizes.

永遠と葡萄畑が続く。南アフリカのワイン生産は実はアメリカやオーストラリアよりも古い。
品質も賞なんかを取っているくらいなので、良い物が育っているのだろう。




Seemed the vintage of this year has been all done. The most of vineyards looked quiet. I wondered how the vintage was in this year.
I wished I had someone going wine tasting with. Since I don't want to drink wine alone, I just focused on cycling.
Perhaps, I should cerebrate my goal in Cape Town by taking some sparkling South African wine.

もう葡萄の収穫は終わった後で、どこの畑も静まり返っていた。今年の出来栄えはどうなのだろうか。ワインテイスティングもしたいのだけれど、ワインを1人で飲みたくは無いので今は我慢。ケープタウンに着いたら記念にスパークリングワインでも頂こうかな。

Now, I'm in Clanwilliam, an old little town 230km north from Cape Town.

今、ケープタウン北230km、Clanwilliam という古い小さな町に滞在中。


It's like a country town in Australia.

小さな町 Clanwilliam。オーストラリアの地方みたいな雰囲気。




The Rooibos tea factory.
ルイボス茶の工場





From this point, I am getting into an area where more interesting places are, so I stopped by this town to get some informations. Also, I felt I had to have some rest.
The campground was very expensive; 130R about $13 even though it was not very clean.

この辺りからは見所が満載なので、情報収集をするのと、疲れたんで1日オフ日を取った。唯一のキャンプ場は130R, 約1300円、質のわりにクソ高い。この所キャンプ場に恵まれない。



However, I met a French cyclist, Iva here. He was also taking a day off for on his way north. We had a good conversation, and I got some good informations from him.
I haven't met many cyclists in Africa, and even for those I've met, it was almost always on my way. It was good meeting him.

ただ、このキャンプ場ではフランス人サイクリストのイバに会って、いろいろと情報を貰えたので良し。いろんな場所を走ってる人で、久々に楽しいサイクリスト談義で盛り上がった。



From this town, I will go a bit of inland and cycle through some nature reserve area. Then try to get to the cape of good hope from east. It was also suggested by Iva. he said it was so beautiful, so I'm looking forward to seeing there.
I will be arriving to the cape in 6 days; around the first of May.

この後は内陸の自然保護区的な山を走りながらケープタウンの東側から喜望峰を目指す。南アをじっくり走ったイバも絶賛していたので楽しみです。喜望峰到着は6日～7日後予定。

I made the last border crossing. It was filling with deep emotion. Now, heading to the end of end, the cape of good hope.

南アフリカ国境を越える。これがこの旅最後の国、感慨深いものがある。ここから目指すは地の果ての果て、喜望峰。



I wished there was a sign something like "Welcome to the End of Earth". There was not even "Welcome to South Africa". It was a bit disappointing.
It was easy border crossing; no hassle at all. Officers and police men were friendly. It made me expecting of good country.

この国境に架かる橋に「Welcome to the End of Earth」なんて気の利いた文言でもあれば、1発写真に収めたかったけれど、「Welcome to South Africa」すら無かったので、いつものごとく出入国をチャッチャと済ませた。イミグレの人や警察はすごく感じが良くて、思わず良い国を期待してしまう。



On my way, many drivers, white and black both honked me for greeting. Since i was a bit nervous from the image of apartheid, those greeting helped me to relax.

白人も黒人も、車で通り過ぎ際に"ププー"と手を振ってくれたりする。アパルトヘイトのイメージが強くて、少し身構えていただけに、すこしホッとさせてくれる。




However, I've started seeing the shadow side of South Africa. It was remaining of apartheid. In the almost all village and towns, there were area called township where many huts were. Most of people who lives there were black. The life of white here looked similar to the most of western countries.

ただ、これまでの国以上に所得の差が目で見てはっきりとわかるようになった。まず。どんな小さな町にもタウンシップといって黒人達が住んでいる小さな家の密集地があって、現地の白人は郊外、もしくは町中で欧米のそれと変わりない生活をしているように見える。






It doesn't do anything to my journey but not fun to see.

特にそれで何か自分に危害があるという事は無いけれど、見ていて気持ち良いもんでは無い。
これもアパルトヘイトの残した負の面影なんだろう。




North west part of South Africa is called Namaqualand.

南アフリカの北西部はナマクアランドと呼ばれていて、オレンジ川沿いのようにゴツゴツの岩山が続いている。



This land looked all brown and dry now, but I've hard that it would be totally changed about August. A lot of flowers started blooming in that time of year and making the land sparkling color. I hope I can see it sometime in the future.

今は正に荒野だけれど、これが8月くらいになると、花畑になるそうだ。いつかその変化を見てみたいもんだ。



In the first decent town Springbok, I saw the first sign with "Cape Town". It's only 560km away!!

南ア入国後、最初の大きな町Springbokでは遂に「Cape Town」の標識も出て来た。もう560kmしか無い。東京から宮城くらいの距離か。




It was like nothing cycling for 20km. 30km, and 40km for normal days compared to the distance I've covered so far. However, those small distance NOW eliminates the such a small distance of Cape Town, 560km in day by day. I feel a bit emotional for every pedaling I do these days.
I feel I want to make the finish line as soon as possible and go home, but on the other hand, I feel sad for finishing.

数万キロの過程の中で、20km、30km、40km進む事なんて全く大した距離じゃなかった。ただ、今は違う。20km進むとゴールまで540km、30km進めばあと530km。毎日、ペダルを踏み続ける分だけゴールまでの距離が縮まって行くのをすごく感じる。早くゴールしてしまいたい気持ちもある反面、勿体無くも感じてしまう。

より大きな地図で Cycling East Africa 2/2 を表示

My Japanese brother, he is like my brother, told me "Enjoy your journey BY THE END".
It is really true. Of cause I want to go back but am still now on my journey. As long as I'm on my journey, I should enjoy every single time until the last day. I said my self and kept pedaling.

この前、日本の兄貴分から「旅を最後まで楽しめ」と言われた。確かにそうだと思った。日本の事を考え過ぎると今を楽しめなくなる気がしていた。ケープタウンに着くまで、いくつも興味深い場所がある。最後の最後まで楽しもう。

From Aus, I straight 180km downed to the orange river that flows along the South Africa border. The elevation was dropped to 30m, the Orange river, from Aus 1400m. It was mostly going down.

Ausを出ると南アとの国境に流れるオレンジ川まで一気に下った。Ausが標高1400m、オレンジ川が30m、この間約180kmは綺麗に舗装されていた。



This is a metal rich area. As my map shows, my right hand side is diamond area. That's the reason the road had been paved in such a remote area.

この辺りは鉱物が豊富らしく、道路の右手、西側はダイヤモンドエリアと地図に大きく載っている。だから舗装したのだろう。



It's the diamond area but looked the same as others. I even saw more wild animals here.

ダイヤモンドエリアとはなっていても、他と見た目は変わらない。むしろここでは動物を良く見かけた。





Before reaching to the Orange river, I stopped by Rosh Pinah, a town that was described as a small dot on my map. I thought it would be just a service station, but it was a town with a big supermarket and a bank.
I bought a lot of food here since I didn't get much in Aus.
Also, another important thing to do was to use all Namibia dollar; South Africa Rand can be used in Namibia, but not opposite. Exchange rate will be not appreciable once crossing the border.

オレンジ川の手前にあったRosh Pinahという地図上では点でしかない場所、ここがどうやらこの辺りの拠点だったらしく、スーパーや銀行まであるちょっとした町になっていた。
ここで南アまでの食料を買い込んで、ナミビアドルを使い切っておく。南アのランドはナミビアで通用するけれど、ナミビアドルは南アでは使えないらしいのだ。




From the river, the road got gravel again. Since the elevation was low, it was really hot.

オレンジ川まで下って来るとまた未舗装区間の始まり。ここの標高は100m無い、Ausから気温が単純に6度も上がった計算になる。オレンジ川沿いに着いたのが大体12時頃、凄まじく暑い。




I coincidently encountered a German couple I met at the backpacker in Windhoek.
They had been on air conditioning car, so it was too hot for them to be out for more than 10 min. It was actually nearly 40℃. It was really hot!! We talked a bit side of the road, and they left.

ここでウインドフックで会ったドイツ人カップルとばったり再会したのだけれど、エアコンの効いた車で走って来た彼等は10分もしないうちに外の暑さにギブアップして走り去って行った。この時の気温約40℃。そりゃ暑いわ。



It was really dry and rocky in this area. The Orange river seemed the only resource for the spices to survive. However, there was some strange plants growing on such a harsh environment.

この辺りは奇怪な植物が多く自生していて、ゴツゴツの岩肌に奇妙なアロエのような植物を目にする。



Kiver tree, I don't know the right spelling. This is a endemic plant in this area. It survives for 400 years.

キヴァーツリーという名らしい。この辺りにしか自生しない珍しい木だそうだ。こんな過酷な場所で400年も長生きするらしい。




The other side of river bank is South Africa. Looked very easy to cross, but I have to cycle along until the border post.

この川の反対岸は南アフリカ。越えちまえたければすぐにでも越えられる距離だ。越境地点の関係で、国境沿いに走らないといけない。なんだか焦らされているかのようだ。




When I left Bali, Indonesia, I didn't think I would come to this far, like South Africa. One of these days, I decided to go to Africa and to finish in the cape of good hope.
I wanted to cycle in Africa, but the main reason to come here was to keep making a single track to "the end of earth".

バリ島を出発した時、南アフリカに自転車で走って来るなんて決めて無かった。いつ日か目的地がアフリカになり、ゴールは喜望峰になった。アフリカを走りたかったのもあるけれど、1番の理由は「地の果て」まで轍を繋ぎたくなったから。




When I was little, South Africa was "the end of earth" or "the farthest place on the earth".
I was always curious how South Africa would be like.


小さい頃、南アフリカのイメージは「世界で一番遠い国」「地の果て」だった。
昔、南アフリカ旅行に必要な膨大な時間と金額を見て驚いたのを記憶している。




I'm here now, I'm almost "the end of the earth".

そんな「地の果て」までついにやって来た。

The road became paved after 700km struggling. Then I reached to a little village, Aus.

こんな風景を走り続けてナミビア南部、Ausで約700kmぶりに幹線に出た。久々に見る舗装路。これだけ久々だと舗装路のありがたさが良くわかる。何てスムーズに進むんだろうか。



I haven't talked to anyone for last few days. I have to stretch my tongue to be able to keep my mental healthy. I went to a camp ground to find someone to talk with. There was no one unfortunately.
A woman, the owner I found lately, was grumpy some how. Seemed I have to be quiet for next few days as well.

そいえばここ数日、真面に人と会話していない。Ausのキャンプ場で、話し相手でも探そうかと思っていたけれど、誰もいない。人気が無いのか。
オーナーと思われる白人女性は全く無愛想だし、まだしばらく言葉を発しない日々が続きそうだ。



This grumpy mama had a little shop at just cross the street. It was the only shop in Aus.
The everything in this shop was so expensive. For example, a 330ml coca cola was about $1. 500ml of milk was $1.5. One onion was $0.4. Those I needed were awfully expensive.

この無愛想なおばちゃんの経営する売店はキャンプ場の通り挟んで向かいで、Ausで唯一の売店。この売店、やたらと品物が高い。普通のスーパーで買う倍近い。コーラ缶が約100円、牛乳500ml 150円、玉ねぎ一個40円、全く狂っている。




I was suppose to be willing to spend money here after working so hard, but since those reason; grumpy mama and highly priced supplies, I kept my money in my pocket.

久々の休息でコーラのお次は肉にビールにと贅沢をしたかった。ただ、この値段、ましては全く愛想の無いおばちゃん。あまりに金を落とせる要素が無さ過ぎる。ここは我慢。



However, I took a day off in this camp. I was exhausted so definitely needed to have some rest. The camping fee was surprisingly reasonable; it was about $7 per night.
I'm almost South Africa! Only 300km to the border.

それでも疲れたので、ここで1日オフ日を取った。キャンプ場代は約700円と良心的ではある。ここを出たら300kmで南アフリカ国境だ。

Exhausting...really. Moving 70km in a day is maximum even though I worked with 120% of my power.

本当しんどい。エネルギーを120%出しでも日に70km前進するのがやっとだ。



In this photo, the road looks okay, but in reality , it was really collugated and loose gravel.

こう見ると普通の未舗装に見えるけれど、コルゲーション(波打ちの轍)と砂の山が果てし無く続いている。

The wind was from east. As long as I'm going south or south west, it's fine, but once the road moves east towered, the force of it was strong enough to slow me down a lot.

風はほぼ東寄りの暴風で、道が少しでも東方向に向かうと途端に猛烈なブレーキがかかる。




I'm a bit sulking every time tourists on the cars passed by.
After a day of big work out, I became like a knocked out boxer; laying down and don't move for awhile.

観光客の車が横を悠々と通過する度に「ケッ」っとやさぐれてしまう自分がいる。
1日が終わるとノックアウトされたボクサーのようにしばらく横たわる。あぁ～疲れた

The beautiful sunset and sparkling stars are only anchor to my soul.

綺麗な夕暮れと満点の星空を見られるのが唯一の支えだ。



The road condition from Betta was the worst. I shouted like "Fuck off!!" in many times. There were no animals listening anyway.

特にBettaから南が酷かった。深い砂場とコルゲーションの連続で、「こんなんやってられっかーーー！」と何度も吠えてやった。どうせ聞いてる生き物なんていないし。





My MP3 player that I just bought in Windhoek was broken, what a rubbish Chinese product was. I am knocked out again.

そして今日もノックアウト。ウインドフックで買ったMP3がもう壊れた。あぁ～しんどい。

より大きな地図で Cycling East Africa 2/2 を表示

This is the first stopping point, Sossusvley, one of "the Namibia" spot that I wanted to visit.

砂漠地帯中継地点ソススフレイに到着した。ナミビアに来たからには見ておきたかった場所。




This huge area was covered by Namib Nakult Park, so there was many animals such as Oryx, windbik?, ostrich etc..
I wished I had a decent camera with zoom lens.

この辺りは広大な国立公園になっているだけあって、オリックスやウインドボック？、ダチョウ等草食動物が沢山いて面白い。こんな時、ちゃんとしたカメラがあればなとつくづく思ってしまう。




Even though I was close enough, the animals on the photos taken by iPhone was very small. Disappointing...

iPhone ねカメラだと例え動物が近くにいても点にしか映らない。




In Sossusvley, I planed to take a day off and to go inside of park.

さてさて、ここでは1日休息と物資補充ついでに、ソススフレイを見学するつもりでいる。




From the entrance, the famous spot witch is the far end of the road is 60km away.
I didn't want to cycle, even it was not allowed for cycling, so I tried to ask people with car for the lift.
It was easy. I found a German couple going, and they gave me a ride.

エントランスから最深部の砂丘が集まる部分までは片道60km、ここは走るのが面倒なんで (ちなみに自転車走行は禁止らしい)、入園料を収める受付で便乗交渉。朝早かったのもあって大して苦もなく便乗成功。ドイツ人夫婦の車に乗せて頂き、いざ最深部へ向かった。

It was strange. The road on my way was all unpaved, but the road inside of the park was almost completely paved. It was fast to make 60km to the end.

公園内は何故か舗装されていて、車だと本当60kmなんてアッという間。




The last part of the road, about 5km was too sandy to go by normal car. We left the car and switch to the shuttle, a normal tractor.

最後の5kmは未舗装の砂地獄になっていたので、無理せず駐車場に車を置いてシャトルトラクターで向かった。




An unique dune, it was red. I've heard that Namib desert was the oldest desert in the world.

赤い砂丘が綺麗。聞くに世界最古の砂漠だとか。


This dry valley, Death Souvley had been used for Japanese commercial on the TV.

このデススフレイなる場所は何かのCMに使われた事もあるらしい。



The rain fall used to make a small pond but not anymore.
How many years those dead trees stand here.

昔は雨が降ると池が出現した時代もあったらしい。この立ち枯れした木達はこの場所に何年立ち続けているのだろうか。




As the time goes, the temperature became really hot, and it was too uncomfortable to stay here. I was cycling in desert in same condition but it was my day off, I have to take it easy. I gave up and went back to the entrance.

昼を過ぎると熱風と強い日差しで普通にいるのも苦痛になってきて、しばらくこの辺を見て周ってからギブアップ。自転車乗りの私が言うセリフでも無いのだけれど、今日はゆっくりもしたいので、切り上げてドイツ人夫婦と帰って来た。ありがとうございました。




For about half day, I spent for the rest. The camp site was really expensive, about $12 for one night. The entrance fee of the park was about $7. I felt ripped off. It's okay. This is the day off. I finished washing myself and my dirty stinky cloth. Then don't forget, cold coca cola and beer. I'm ready from tomorrow.

ここのキャンプ場は異常に高くて何と140ナミビアドル、約1300円。入園料が80なのでキャンプに140払うのがアホらしい。でも久々にシャワー浴びれたし、洗濯もできたのでまぁ良い。冷たいコーラとビールを飲んで明日からの充填完了です。

I woke up by sound of thunder. Opened my tent and checked outside. There were very dark crowd on my destination.
I really didn't want to go but have to because I have only minimum supply. I have to get to the place to refill in certain date. I got rain of cause, but it was incredible view waited me after passing through this rain.
The plain had become all emerald green by rain fall.


この日はゴロゴロ雷の音で起こされた。出てみると向かう方向にはドス黒い雲がかかっている。走りたくないけれど、補給の事を考えると走らないわけにはいかない。案の定雨に打たれビショビショ。けれど、ここを抜けるとエメラルドグリーンの大地が待っていた。



The fresh grasses on the plain was shining by sun, and those were blew in soft wind.

砂漠のはずが、雨季の雨で砂漠地帯一面エメラルドグリーンに色付いていた。雨上がりのしっとりと濡れた草の新芽が風になびいて何とも幻想的な空気が流れていた。




I'm getting lower elevation as I am into the desert. It was hot. The strong sun burns my back. I was sweating a lot.
There were some nice people. I got some water and snacks from tourists on cars. It was giving me so much energy.

峠を下ってからは標高が大分落ちたせいか日中の気温がたまらなく暑い。。背中を焦がすように照らす太陽。日陰が無くて汗が滝のように脱がれ落ちる。そんな中ありがたいのが、車旅行者からの差し入れ。お菓子や水を何度も頂いた。




I don't see any local cars running. Only cats passing by were rental cars.

この辺りは地元の車は全く通らずレンタカーばかりで、皆さんすごい土煙を上げながら通り過ぎて行く。




After hard work in a day, pitched my tent and prepared my dinner.
1日の終わり。テントを設営し、夕日を見ながら飯を作る。



This is my favorite time of the day.
これが1日の中で1番の楽しみな時間だ。



After cycling 260km and 4 days from Windhoek, I reached to the refill point, Soliter. I could manage the water, even I got some leftover because of some help from tourists.

ウインドフックから260km、4日目にしてようやく補給ポイント、Soliterに着いた。案外水は観光客から頂けたので余裕を残しての到着となった。


Soliter was written on the map, but it was just a small service station. There was a small shop, so I could get some life supplies for next few days.

地図上では名前は出ているのだけれど、サービスステーションがあるだけの分岐だった。小さな商店が併設してあって、高いけれど物はある。しばらく先までの食料を買い込んで出発した。

Time for the last challenge. In the morning I leave after staying 4 nights, I was packing everything and preparing an adventure. Just about finishing all, I heard a strange noise like something snapped. I looked at my tent.

この旅最後のチャレンジスタート。4泊した宿ともお別れ。出発の準備をしながらテントを撤収していると、「ポキッ」と嫌な音が・・・




It was disaster. I would cry if this was the beginning of my journey. Don't forget, I've been traveling for long time. I prepared.
I checked my bag, grubbed a repair tool and fixed it.

うわぁ！ 重要なポールが！旅始めなら泣きそうになってたかもしれない私、もうこんなハプニングは想定内。
日本から2年7ヶ月の間も大事に携帯していた修理道具を使ってパパッと直して出来上がり。




I hoped nothing bad happened on my tent again. I will be in middle of nowhere for next few weeks.
After such a bit of hassle, I left here. I felt my bicycle was really heavy. Of cause, in this time, I carried 19 litters of water and food for 3 days. I felt an easy slope was very steep hill.

他の部分折れたらどうしよ。大事に使わないとな。そんな不安要素を抱えながらも出発したのであった。
出発したのは良いけれど自転車が異常に重い。それもそのはず水19ℓ、食料3日分、いつもなら簡単に登れる傾斜が異常にキツく感じる。


I was worry about myself and also my bicycle. But I have no choice. I have to go.

これ大丈夫か。自分自身もそうだけれど、自転車本体の事も気にしてしまう。そうは言っても走るしか無い。行くぞ！と気合を入れ直して進み始めた。

Once I left town, the traffic became very quiet. I enjoyed cycling. This is a bike ride supposed to be.

街を一旦出ると交通量がすっかり無くなって久々にストレス無く走れる嬉しさを感じる。



It was nice view on my way. However, very steep upping down. I sweated a lot.
Then passed a pass about 2100m.

景色も良いし今の私には音楽がある。ルンルン気分、でも汗ダラダラ。坂をアップダウンしながら最初の峠約2100mを越えた。




I thought there would be down hill, but there were road going to horizon. It was not tiring because the scenery was good enough to forget my tough work.

峠を越えた後は下りだろと思いきや、地平線のかなたまで道が続いていた。果てしないな。。。でも山が綺麗だからいいか。



The sky was so blue.
突き抜けるような青



The road goes miles and miles. Nothing along my way.

永遠に続く砂利道。車はたまに通る。もちろん商店なんかある気配すらない。




This gravel road was not easy to cycle. If I choose a wrong track, I loose my control by loose gravel. I have to keep my eyes on my way carefully.

この砂利道は案外走り辛くて、間違った轍を進むとかなりハンドルを取られてしまうから、あまり景色を見ながらルンルンというわけにもいかない。



Next day, I had another pass but it was easy. I was already on higher elevation. It was nice view from the top. I like mountains a lot.

2日目も峠を越えた。とは言っても今いる位置が台地のようになっていたらしく、大した苦も無く峠に達した。久々に見る絶景だ。やっぱり山は良い。



From this point, I was getting into desert.

ここから一気に下り、砂漠の待つ荒野へと向かって行く。

Bought an air-ticket to Japan
帰国日決まりました！

5月12日, 12th of May

もちろん今年のね。

I will fly with Qatar Air. The ticket cost me only $650!! Cheep.

カタール航空でケープタウン→成田65000円なり。なかなか安く帰れます。


Since I lost my old iPhone, I lost most of contacts, especially for friends in Japan.
Please send your contact to my Facebook account or personal hotmail account.
I'm looking forward to seeing you!!

帰国後の予定は未定ですので、飲みのお誘いお待ちしています。前の携帯無いので個人の電話番号やアドレスは全く分かりませんので、フェイスブックか個人アドレスにメール下さい。

Finally, "Finally", reached to Windhoek. I'm still in good mental condition...

やっとやっとウインドフックに到着。何とか頭はおかしくならずに済んだようだ。



Windhoek was different world compared to other countries in Africa I came through. It's hard to believe this is Africa.
I thought many white men when I arrived to Zambia but here, even more. Windhoek was like a town in Europe.
There were big shopping malls and supermarkets.

北から南下して来るとここは別世界。アフリカの雰囲気なんてこれっぽっちも無い。ザンビアで「白人多いな～」と思ったのだけれど、もうここはヨーロッパの地方都市のそれと変わらない程白人だらけだ。デカイモールに綺麗なスーパーマーケット。



Things they had were as same as in Europe. Also the price was really expensive.
The first priority was resting, but I have some other things to do.
In this town, I have to buy more things than usual.

品揃えも値段もヨーロッパと変わらない。
この町では休息もそうだけれど、出発の準備も少し頑張らないといけない。というのも進もうと考えてるルート上にはさらに何も無いらしいのだ。




Since I had really hard time for pedaling from Botswana, I chose some routes where looked much enjoyable. However, there will be even more nothing.
The distance between villages or service station was about 200km to 300km. I have to carry more food and water.
I was very shocked when I saw the receipt after purchasing everything I need for next 4 days. It was about $40!! It was the most expensive purchasing in one shopping.

ボツワナ国境からの教訓を踏まえて、なるべく楽しそうなルートを考えたみたのだけれど、補給距離が200km～300kmと半端なく長い。だから水も食料も大量に運ばないといけない。スーパーで約4日分の買い物をしたらお会計何と約4000円。これはたまらん。スーパーでの購入額この旅最高額を達成した。
全て積み込んだ自転車で未舗装路を走るのには不安はあるけれど、ここまで頑張ってくれている名機を信じるしかない。


For other thing I bought in town, MP3 player with radio function.
それ以外の買い物は探しに探して手に入れたラジオ付きのMP3プレーヤー。

I bought it in Indian shop. I sold a camera battery and charger and bought it about $10.
It looks rubbish so hope doesn't break in parts.

インド人の店で、不必要なカメラ用電池や充電器を売って、それと引き換えに約1000円くらいで手に入れた。これで音楽もラジオも聞く事が出来る。ちゃちいから壊れないか心配だけど。

I also bought a bar tape for handle in a bicycle shop.
チャリ屋ではバーテープを入手。


This bicycle shop does look good. Seemed they had many good stuff.

かなりちゃんとした店で、何でも揃ってるな～といった印象だった。



Will have to cycle 800km off road once I took off. It is my last challenge for sure. I will try my best with my body and soul.

おそらくこれがこの旅最後のチャレンジになるのは間違いない。未舗装約800km、魂燃やします。