Not only we but also Mahangu, our car, are getting older. For us humans, it is often the joints that cause problems and make surgery necessary. (Fortunately, that is not an issue for either of us!) With a vehicle that is sixteen years old and has 420,000 kilometers on the clock, there are mechanical wear parts.

On the ride to Omaruru, the engine sounded different than usual. What could that be? A wheel bearing? A damaged V-belt? Or does it have to do with the air conditioning? Or…? However, it seemed best to get to the bottom of the problem. When we arrived in Omaruru, we drove to Caspers Car Repair Center; a garage specialized in Toyota 4×4 vehicles. We arrived shortly before closing time and made an appointment for the next morning.

On May 18, 2021, at 7:30 am, we stood at Caspers’ and handed the car over to the surgeon in charge, i.e., the mechanic. An hour later he called us and announced that an operation was necessary: «The rear differential is damaged and needs to be repaired or replaced.»

Yesterday we picked up Mahangu with a new differential. Now we go for three days on a test drive into the Erongo Mountains …

PS. We have learned to see the good even in difficult situations and are glad that it is not us but Mahangu that needs a surgery!  And that we didn’t get stuck somewhere in the desert …