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.
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