Saturday 23rd January – Monday 25th
January
After the excitement of our day ashore in St. Helena, it’s
back to 3 sea days before our next stop at Walvis Bay, Namibia.
Our days are spent listening to lectures about future ports
of call - African explorers, KGB - bit of sun/shade bathing, meals of course(!)
and going to the gym before the evening meal! A way to go – the Captain is
usually there at the same time and he does 50 minutes on the treadmill carrying
2 x 6 kilo weights! – but at least it’s a start. There is an interesting Q and
A talk between the Captain and the Cruise Director where we learn about what is
involved in the daily life of a cruise ship captain. On the evening of the 25th
there is a Burns Night Supper which is fun – the full works including the
Address to the Haggis, bagpipes, excellent haggis supper.
Tuesday 26th January
We arrive at Walvis Bay, Namibia in the early morning and
after breakfast and immigration procedure we get ashore. There we meet up with
our guide for today, Niko, and along with another couple have a fabulous independent
tour in a 4 x 4 Jeep drive to Sandwich Harbour Lagoon about 55 km. south of
Walvis Bay. We pass a small lagoon on the outskirts of Walvis Bay itself where
we spot flamingos, pelicans and avocets.
What a good start! On past the saltpans and along a sandy
track (that’s the main highway!) and Niko is excellent at pointing out
interesting features and wildlife along the way. He finds a barking ghekko, and
a fog basking beetle. There is a lot of fog in these parts but not today
thankfully. The flora comprises salt bushes, tamarind and samphire. When we
drive along right by the edge of the beach we spot Cape cormorants, Damara
terns, white fronted plovers Niko shows us by means of a magnet how much
magnetite is in the sand. Eventually we
arrive at Sandwich Harbour Lagoon where giant sand dunes run down to the ocean
After lunch we ‘ride the dunes’ Perhaps it was good to have
a little glass of fizz before we ascend and descend dunes, up to maximum of 38
degrees! Exhilarating and Niko drives immaculately. When amongst the dunes, we
begin to understand the meaning of the word ‘Namib’ – ‘emptiness’. It is great
that we are not in a Fred Olsen convoy but all on our own there. Niko points
out springbok, ostriches, a shovel-spout lizard, a bell chanting goshawk, a
jackal buzzard. What a special place we have visited but sadly it has to come to an end and we are
driven back to Boudicca in excellent time for our departure at 1700. Another
day to remember – and of course lots of photos which we hope give a flavour of
the awesome beauty of the dunes.
Wednesday 27th January
Another day, another port! This time it is Luderitz just
down the coast in Namibia. We arrive
here at breakfast time. We haven’t got any tours organised here but instead go
ashore to explore under our own steam. Luderitz used to be the diamond capital
of Africa in 1909. It is named after a man from Bremen who bought up lots of
land from the local Namib chief. Diamonds were discovered and there was a mine
at nearby Kolmanskop which is now a ghost town. Diamonds are now dredged
offshore.
The first thing we do is to visit a Wifi place where we
catch up and send emails/blog. There has been a problem with the Wifi on board.
We then wander up the main street and visit the Lutheran Church on the top of
the hill. The town is very quiet and obviously had its heyday. We also visit
the Museum and learn a bit about the history of the area which is interesting.
Back on board Boudicca which departs at 1800. Next stop Cape
Town! Very exciting.
We have seen the weather forecast for UK and it doesn’t look
very brilliant. We hope it improves soon and that the rain takes a rest!
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