thericechronicles: Namibia 1

Sunday, July 7, 2019

Namibia 1

Hello My Dear Great Ones,

Celia and I made it to Windhoek, Namibia, AFRICA after a 20 hour flight ordeal that left us rather shattered. However we made a quick recovery and spent a few days in the city. We learned that Namibia was once a German colony and many people in the country are descendants from German colonists. I have heard German being spoken every day here and there are signs and stores like "Spar," a grocery chain from the old colonial power. After World War 1 Namibia became a state of South Africa and so you also hear a lot of Afrikans. Eventually after some violent uprisings Namibia become an independent country in 1990 with Sam Nujoma becoming its first president. He is greatly revered in Namibia and is considered the father of the country. From what Celia and I have seen Namibia is a relatively prosperous country. Lots of nice neighborhoods, buildings, and decent roads.

However, I have heard that in South Africa there is an economic apartheid between the whites and blacks. Meaning most whites enjoy a prosperous lifestyle whereas most blacks eke out a living in poverty. This is evident in Namibia as well and we have seen lots of shanty towns. Despite that the people here are quite friendly and blacks and whites intermingle easily and naturally.

Celia and I have come to Namibia based on the recommendations of many. It is a very interesting place, relatively safe, very underpopulated, with amazing scenery and wildlife. Although it is winter, Namibia is in the southern hemisphere, the weather is great. Clear, cool in the mornings and evenings, up to 25 during the day. An Alberta summer! We are on an amazing road trip and here are a few things we have seen so far.

The famous Christ Church in Namibia. Amazing for Namibia, rather normal in Europe.

Statue of the great Sam Nujoma. Amazing leader. This statue stands in front of a museum which highlights Namibia's struggle for independence.

Outside of Windhoek is huge game reserve. Celia and I spent a morning on a 9 km hike.

We saw a few ostriches.

Some locals.

Springboks. They can jump over 2 meters high.

The trail was a bit sketchy as far as markings. We had to keep finding these arrows to know where to go.

An Asian in Africa, scaring the animals away with her pink umbrella.

Thorny bush made famous in the movie The Gods Must Be Crazy.

From Windhoek we went to Swakopmund, a small city on the Atlantic coast. The city is interesting in that on one side is the Atlantic and the other a massive desert. We drove into the desert to visit Dune 7. Quite interesting and beautiful.

My model wife on the dune.

View from the top of the dune. Our vehicle is below. It was so fun to "ski," down this slope.

After the dune we went to Walvis Bay to check out the flamingos.

The next day Celia and I went with a guide and a Belguim tourist in the desert and rode the sand dunes on mountain bikes equipped with soft fat tires. It was amazing!! Weather was cool, clear, perfect.