37 FramesFrom Windhoek to Maltahöhe: where the road begins to breathe
Some trips begin with landmarks. Others begin with breath.
Today started with the kind of quiet that isn’t empty. It’s just waiting. For us to catch up. For us to listen.
Because this is the day the journey really began.
We left Windhoek in a blaze of glory – caffeinated up to the brink, playlist loaded, car packed like we were escaping a heist. A high-functioning one, but still.
Rehoboth came quickly, and left just as fast. Described as a quaint German colonial town, it felt more like barbed wire and dust. A compound or two. A blink-and-you’re-through sort of stop. The GPS didn’t even bother to sigh.
But the detour came next. And it was glorious.
The Sacred Simplicity of the First Drive
Where there are no must-sees, only must-feels
Then came one of the most spectacular drives we’ve ever experienced: the gravel road to Spreetshoogte Pass.
Yes, it’s hard to pronounce. And, it’s harder to forget.
Even in the harsh glare of midday, it was jaw-dropping. Where the Namib desert meets with the Khomas Highlands.
The pass climbs to 1,780 meters above sea level (that’s 5,839 feet, for those still in airplane mode), then drops a dramatic 1,000 meters in under 4 km.
If that doesn’t sound like much, trust us, your brakes will disagree.
Every bend was a painting. Every pull-off, a masterclass in shadow and light.
And the silence? Deafening. Except for the roar of gravel beneath the tires, which somehow made the quiet louder.
We’d stop. Breathe. Play with the light. Stand still in it. And suddenly, there it was again… silence.
Not empty. Just present.
Road Trip Therapy (Yes, It’s a Thing)
Burnout doesn’t stand a chance when the wifi drops
There’s a version of burnout that clings like clingwrap. It hides in your emails, your to-do lists, your brainstem.
But give it a gravel road and a sky built for gods, and it starts to loosen.
The Naukluft Mountains met us next. Winding, wild, and sun-drenched.
We meant to stop and drone, but the internet said there was a “scenic viewpoint” of the mountains in a town called Bullsport.
Let the record show: the internet lied.
Bullsport was one building. Possibly two.
The real views? Happened long before. As always, the magic was in the in-between. So if you’re reading this mid-road trip, trust your eyes, not Google Maps.
Arriving Somewhere, Nowhere
Maltahöhe: The middle of everything
We rolled into Maltahöhe just as the sun slid below the horizon.
Not a boutique in sight. Not an influencer for miles. Just a town with dust in its teeth and stories in its bones. And donkeys.
Dinner was simple: a local German bar, travelers telling stories of the day, schnitzel, and the easy laughter of people who’ve shared too many snacks.
The kind of night you don’t post about until later.
Because you’re too busy being in it.
Also, the Wi-Fi wasn’t great.
The Beauty in the Not-Quite-Anything Moments
Not every day needs a wow moment
Today wasn’t about adrenaline or itinerary highlights.
It was about a sky that grows taller the further you drive.
About pulling over a third time for a mountain that doesn’t care whether you take its photo or not.
About realizing you’re covered in dust and… oddly at peace.
About learning that natural toilet stops in nature are not our thing.
(Not. Even. A little.)
About selfies that will never see the light of day.
Except one. Because wind-blown hair caught in mid-flight is apparently Tracey’s natural state now.
About discovering that nothingness can be nourishing.
Wildlife & Wisdom
Animal count today included:
- A judgmental troop of baboons, spotted about an hour after leaving Windhoek.
- Some elegant springboks, probably confused by our photo setup.
- A few warthogs on the road into Maltahöhe, Tracey’s forever favorites (they just get her).
- A jackal that jumped out of nowhere… then disappeared.
- And wild horses galloping in the distance. But they’ll have their starring moment tomorrow.
Also: dust.
Dust in the car. Dust on the gear. Dust on Dee’s new suitcases. Dust in places dust has no right to be.
Namibia exfoliates the soul.
The Day in Summary:
- Distance: 430+ kilometers of recalibration
- Scenery: Gravel dreams and desert gold
- Wildlife sightings: Baboons, springboks, warthogs, a jackal and beautiful wild horses
- Conversations: Music, silence, absurd snack debates, for the record no true crime podies, yet…
- Mood: Dusty, open, reverent, slightly ridiculous
Final Thought: The Space Between
If Day 1 was about landing, Day 2 was about arriving.
There is a version of you that only road trips can access.
One who softens without signal. Who learns that presence is the real luxury.
We found a little of that version of ourselves today. Somewhere between Rehoboth and Maltahöhe.
Between the gravel and the gold.
Tomorrow, we chase wild horses. And hit the Atlantic Ocean.
But tonight? We’re here. And that is more than enough.
📍#NamibiaRoadTrip #SlowTravel #DesertTherapy #37FramesStories #SenseOfPlace #NamibianDustChronicles
37 Frames
