Once again the scenery was amazing and ever changing and the road, although not tarmac, was a reasonable gravel road so we could maintain a fair speed. A few shots along the way.
Lone blue wildebeest.
The Namibians seem to have quite an artistic flair and are certainly avid collectors of old cars. Once again our coffee stop made an interesting half hour.
As we neared the coast we saw a small lagoon full of flamingo - we're lucky as it's not quite yet the right time of year for reliable sightings.
We reached Walvis Bay some 30 kms south of Swakopmund about 1430 and went straight to the lagoon end in search of flamingo and boy were we treated to a fantastic display of both greater and lesser flamingo.
The area is known for its sea mists and before very long a mist started to roll in about the same time as a group of stupid tourists tried to get a closer photo of the birds. Flamingo are well known to be very shy and very difficult to approach, the nearer you go the further they retreat but I quite liked this shot of a whole group moving.
The mist cleared as quickly as it had arrived but unfortunately we only had about ½ hour with them, shame I could have spent all afternoon watching them.
The only deep water harbour on the Namibian Coast, Walvis Bay serves as the principal port and handles 85% of the country's trade, It was colonised by the British in 1840 and but when the Germans arrived in the area they didn’t want to pay port duties so set up their own town (Swakopmund) further north. Nowadays it is Namibia’s prime beach resort with many people from Windhoek and indeed Germany having holiday homes there.
Swakopmund is quite a pretty town with heavy Bavarian influence on its architecture but unfortunately the fog was considerably thicker and the town and its people looked rather miserable this afternoon.
Swakopmund is quite a pretty town with heavy Bavarian influence on its architecture but unfortunately the fog was considerably thicker and the town and its people looked rather miserable this afternoon.
The hotel (a short walk inland and what a difference, weatherwise) was converted from the former railway station and is very comfortable, if a little old fashioned.
I’d read up about restaurants in the area and how they get quite busy so had pre-booked a table at Jetty 1905 from England. As the name suggests the restaurant is at the end of a long wooden jetty and we popped in to confirm our reservation for tomorrow night. I just hope the weather improves a little and we can enjoy the sunset!
After stopping at a pharmacy to get something for Ian’s bunged-up-ness we stocked up on wine and crisps from a local supermarket and then wandered back to the hotel. Ian wasn’t feeling too bright so we had a sandwich in the bar and as it was almost dark by then we ended up staying in the room and having a well-earned, long sleep.