Stopfordian 2010–2011 - Stockport Grammar School

The Stopfordian 2010–2011
therefore the trek was very much a scramble which we
conquered with the help of Chris Spencer who carried most
of the bags at the difficult points. Each night we pitched tents,
cooked on trangias on the smoothest rocks we could find, and
some nights we slept under the beautiful stars which were
scattered across the sky. We were glad the trek was such a
challenge, as it made the end all the more rewarding. We
could not have been more thrilled to see other human beings
walking across the beach as we realised we had entered the
beautiful Ai Ais camp. We trudged in to the camp looking
dishevelled as the guests staying there cheered for us. We
scoffed our favourite chocolates and ice creams and rested
our legs, then spent the evening basking in the heated
swimming pool.
The next night we enjoyed a celebratory group meal at the
camp and then headed to Agama Camp, which was beautiful.
We were most amazed at the bathrooms that had no roofs so
that the amazing Namibian sky could be enjoyed at all times.
We visited the Namib Desert, one of the largest in the world
and climbed some of the biggest sand dunes. The views from
the top were breathtaking and we rewarded ourselves after
the long walk up by running, at full speed, down the sides of
the sand dunes in order to reach the bottom. From here we
visited Swakopmund, where we went sand boarding which
was thoroughly exhilarating (aside from finding sand in every
orifice when we returned to our hotel!) We took the night
train to Windhoek where we played games in the middle of a
car park early in the morning, and some locals got involved.
When we arrived in Dordabis we met the owner of the farm
we would be staying at, who took us on a drive through their
game reserve and we were thrilled to spot zebras, jackals and
giraffes. We stayed in a lovely campsite before we then
headed to the farm where we would spend the week. It was
beautiful, with vast amounts of land and many different
animals such as dogs, peacocks, karakals and cheetahs. We
were even able to stroke the cheetahs, which was brilliant.
The real moment we had all been waiting for was the visit to
the school. Nerves were charging through the minibus on the
way as we wondered how the children would react when we
arrived. Yet as soon as we pulled up our nerves disappeared
as every child possible charged on to our minibus and clung
on to us as if we were long-lost friends. We all fell in love with
them the moment we saw them. They then performed songs
and dances for us and we introduced ourselves to them. We
spent the week covered from head to toe in little children,
vying for our attention. We also taught the children various
words in English, such as colours and numbers, yet most of the
week was spent playing and showing our affection towards
them, which was something they did not experience a lot.
We also painted the walls of the school in order to brighten up
the playground and cementing was a task that was also
completed. We were able to visit the township, which was a
shocking but worthy experience and we all left feeling
extremely appreciative of the luxuries we have. The day we
left the school was an extremely emotional and upsetting one.
However, the owner of the farm had cooked us a lovely meal
which definitely helped and we then left for the safari.
Although illness was rippling through the group within the last
week of the trip it was still brilliant and we all took care of
each other as we battled the sickness bug that seemed to have
spread. We saw lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes, springboks
and more on the safari and then later saw rhinos at the
watering hole at the campsite. This was the last event of the
trip, then it was back to Windhoek to spend our last couple of
days getting organised for the journey home.
Overall, I could not have asked for a more amazing, exciting,
eventful trip and a more fantastic group of people to spend it
with. I wish I could go back there now and do it all over
again, without changing a thing. I would like to thank Jen
Logue, Sarah Hindle, Angharad Smith, Celia Hall, Emma
Woodhead, Sophie Feather, Julia Sutherland, Kristen Holland,
Chris Spencer, Ross Holloway, Mark Goodstadt and James
Collins for being such brilliant company on the trip, and of
course Trev, Sue and Miss Service for making it happen and
being so lovely throughout.
Jenni Meikle (L6)
Trips 57