Walvis Bay, Namibia

 

April 22, 2024

Walvis Bay, Namibia

 In our second stop in Namibia, we come to Walvis Bay ... a coastal town along the Namib desert which surprisingly is called a cold desert because the waters from Antarctica make their way up the coast and these cold waters mix with the warm air off the desert and so miles and miles of fog drift into the desert every night.  This sparse amount of water seems to be enough to keep some life sustainable ... especially the very strange plant called a Welwitschia.  This species of plant have male and female plants and they have been around since prehistoric times.   The specimens we saw were thought to be several hundred years old and to look at them you think they are dead.  If you had one in your yard you would cut it away.  Not much to look at but their story is interesting.  I am pretty sure it wasn’t worth the 30 kilometer or so trip it took to get there.

The first thing we saw getting off the ship was thousands if not hundreds of thousands of red striped jellyfish.  It was hard to tell how many were alive and how many were dead, but they were drifting around everywhere.  Since these jellyfish were not part of our tour, we just took some pictures and moved on.   Quite the sight though.  Thanks to Mrs. D for the close-ups.

Driving up the coast (oh, we found a new bus for church!) we noticed how pronounced the tide pool was.  At least a half mile or so out, which creates a lagoon when the tide is out.  And this is when the flamingos come to feed.  Thousands of them and how they feed is kind of funny to watch.  They walk around and drag their beaks along the sands and scope up the sand filtering out the red algae they are looking for and then they expel the sand and water out the sides of their beaks.  Just like our flamingos in the south, their color comes from their diet.  Later that afternoon, as we are making our way back, the lagoon has filled up with the tide and most of the birds are gone until the next low tide.

Our saving grace while driving out in the barren wasteland of the desert was the Goanikontes
Oasis.  This honest to gosh oasis is just as you would imagine it to be.   Where no trees existed, we began to see a tree or two and then suddenly a green spot shows up complete with some local animals that the owner has added over the years.  A coupe miniature ponies, llama, alpaca, chickens and cats all call the place home, and I don’t think they are ready to venture away too far.  We had a great lunch and a cold beer to wet our whistle.  It is a harsh country and a difficult way cut out a living, but this is a nice spot, and we were all appreciative of getting to stop by.  The owner was there working as hard as anyone and they are all so friendly.  So many times, we are out and about in these countries and cities, and I sometimes think we are on display to the locals as much as we are intrigued by them.  

A quick stop in the city of Swakopmund to let the folks have a little free time and do a little souvenir shopping or see the sights.  We went down to the breakers and watch the giant waves come in and crash against the rocks.   A cool breeze coming off the water was a nice respite from the heat of the desert. 

Back to the boat we go after a quick day in Namibia.  This is a poor nation and the harsh conditions make it difficult to be able make a stable living.  I don’t know what the answer is for these people.  They seem happy and content but……

Three sea days and then we will be in Ghana.  What surprises wait for us there is yet to be determined.  Keep coming along as we wind down this great adventure.  We have a little more than 2 weeks left and while everyone wants to get home, there is a part of you that wants to continue the trip.   Great friends found and great places to see.   Has to end at some point.

Love to all.

LeRoy and Vi