Monday, March 29, 2010
The Stripes of Sandwich Harbour
With the ocean at my back, I snapped the different layers from white sand, green foilage, red wild asparagas, blue tidal pool with white flamingos and a background of giant sand dunes.
Backtracking
Fabrizzio (along with Suzanne) were part of my 3 person tour group led by Wayne - to tour the Sandwich Harbour, south of Swakopmund, Namibia. It involved driving through sand dunes for almost 3 hours to get this very remote location near the beach. Wayne actually drove to the lip of the deep valley in the background. He turned off the jeep and let it slide down the dune. The groaning sound 
of the wheels skidding against the sand came from "the Goddess of the Dunes." It was better than roller coasters!
Later we were stuck in the sand on the beach with the tide trying to reclaim the jeep, but somehow Wayne was able to dig us out. When you are in a place this remote, you realize how good the tourguide has to be for your basic survival.
of the wheels skidding against the sand came from "the Goddess of the Dunes." It was better than roller coasters!Later we were stuck in the sand on the beach with the tide trying to reclaim the jeep, but somehow Wayne was able to dig us out. When you are in a place this remote, you realize how good the tourguide has to be for your basic survival.
The Room of Heavenly food
This is the dining room of the Deutsche Hause (German House) restaurant in Swakopmund, Namibia, where I am making my way through their menu of incredible German food and South African wine. Soon they will have to instal a winch to hoist me up from the table. Thank goodness my room is only 20 fet away from the restaurant....Thursday, March 25, 2010
Jackson and Ottie
On the boat tour Ottie kept coming back on the boat and going directly to Jackson, the deck hand, who was the keeper of the fish for Ottie. (I promise no more Ottie pictures. I was so surprised with Otties visits that I took 100s of pictures - but no more!
)
)Farming Oysters in Walvis Bay Namibia
These are rows of oysters being farmed in the bay. Also in the bay was a giant oil rig from Angola that had actually been towed to Namibia for repairs. There is so much corruption in Angola that it is actually cheaper to have the rig towed to another country for repairs.
Lara and Pieter of Laramon Tours
The magical tour I have described several times where we sailed into Walvis Bay Namibia to see seals, dolphins. flamingos, etc., is thanks to the terrific people of Laramon Tours. As always, when I discover something good, I want to pass along contact information to you.
I've been on several boats trips in many countries on this trip - but this was by far the best. In addition to all the animals, we were treated to a champaigne brunch that included oysters fresh from the bay. Both Pieter and Lara were great in making this a trip to remember. Come to Walvis Bay, Namibia and contact them by phone (+264(0)81-124-0635), website - www.laramontours.com - email - laramontours@iway.na .
I've been on several boats trips in many countries on this trip - but this was by far the best. In addition to all the animals, we were treated to a champaigne brunch that included oysters fresh from the bay. Both Pieter and Lara were great in making this a trip to remember. Come to Walvis Bay, Namibia and contact them by phone (+264(0)81-124-0635), website - www.laramontours.com - email - laramontours@iway.na .
The Land of Understatement and Germans - Namibia
I'm here in the beach town of Swakopmund in Namibia and I have to keep reminding myself that I'm not in Germany. The architecture is pure German and as I sit in restaurants, visit stores, and walk down the street 9 out of 10 people are tourists speaking German
. I have to keep reminding myself that I'm in Africa.
Another marked difference is the lack of hype here. Elsewhere when you see an ad for a tour it will usually overstate the "amazing" things that you will see. Here the guide said that he would take me to see the flamingos. He didn't mention that there were 1000s of flamingos - so many that the water almost looked black from so many birds.
The tour advertised seeing seals. It didn't mention that there are 1000s of seals and that one would actually jump into the boat and let everyone pet it before returning to the sea.
Where most countries are trying to implement programs to save the animals and keep them from becoming extinct, Namibia has almost the opposite problem. In the north there are so many elephants that they have started to destroy small farms. The farmers are asking the government for help because the elephants are protected. There are so many seals in Namibia (1.8 million) that they are taking fish and livlihood away from people who make their living fishing.
All of this means a land perfect for tourists like me who are amazed with this country and its' abundance of wild animals.
PS the photo is the communal nest made by weaver birds which you find all through the Namibian deserts.
. I have to keep reminding myself that I'm in Africa.Another marked difference is the lack of hype here. Elsewhere when you see an ad for a tour it will usually overstate the "amazing" things that you will see. Here the guide said that he would take me to see the flamingos. He didn't mention that there were 1000s of flamingos - so many that the water almost looked black from so many birds.
The tour advertised seeing seals. It didn't mention that there are 1000s of seals and that one would actually jump into the boat and let everyone pet it before returning to the sea.
Where most countries are trying to implement programs to save the animals and keep them from becoming extinct, Namibia has almost the opposite problem. In the north there are so many elephants that they have started to destroy small farms. The farmers are asking the government for help because the elephants are protected. There are so many seals in Namibia (1.8 million) that they are taking fish and livlihood away from people who make their living fishing.
All of this means a land perfect for tourists like me who are amazed with this country and its' abundance of wild animals.
PS the photo is the communal nest made by weaver birds which you find all through the Namibian deserts.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
For Renae
My friend Renae recently sent me an email saying that she had successfully climbed all the highest mountains in New Hampshire (during the worst winter ever). I have a new appreciation for her accomplishment since I couldn't make it to the top of this sand dune in time for sunset. We made it about 5 1/2 stories out of 6 before inventing a new sport - butt sliding down the side of the dune. Going down is much easier than going up. This is Etienne - the most patient guide in history
. It has been a week since this adventure and I am still finding red sand in everything I own.
. It has been a week since this adventure and I am still finding red sand in everything I own.Wild Ostrich in Namibian Desert
The deserts we travelled are all protected by the government and provide a home for 1000s of spring bok (deer), plus Oryx, wild horses, wild ostriches, and hyenas.
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