Swakopmund Holiday

But before we get to our holiday camp, we have to get there, if you see what I mean...

...So, with our trusty travelling companions, we're up at 5.30 and on the road by 6.30 because we want to see the famous 'White Lady' rock painting (which, we are told, is not a white lady as first thought but a white-painted participant in a tribal ritual). It's a 50 km trek and a two hour guided walk to get there but the whole mini adventure more than worth it. Great guide.

Trouble is, after another 200km or so on rough, dry, unsurfaced desert roads we end up being last in, which is a bit unfair on Mr Fix-It who needs to take Charles apart to get a bit of welding done for the air con. Don't blame him for being a bit hacked off..and a hacked off Mr Fix-It is not a pretty site (ex cop, ex mounted armed poacher hunter amongst many other things). All OK now though..he's a great guy. Outcome is that  we have to get it done Monday morning.

In search of the White Lady

On the way we spy a lizard type thingy (Sorry, I'm really really poor at this)

Back on the road? to the coast

Charles has lost his cool

Wierd here though. The cold Atlantic and hot desert airs meet and form mist so the temperature drops from 39 to 15 degrees over 20km as we motor in. Pleasant change in some ways though.

The site is truly truly wonderful. This is a holiday town and we have our own numbered pitch with private  bathroom, braai, washing sink. Oh bliss! We're here for three nights, too.

The next day we have a seal and dolphin spotting cruise from the next town, Walvisbaai. Didn't know what to expect but we certainly didn't expect this!.. so I'm going a little overboard (ouch!) on the description...

We hop on a big catamaran and motor out....as soon as we're moving, four flipping great pelicans land on the front and stick their beaks in to say hello. We've just got over that when there is a scream from starboard (right side..impressed eh!) as a seal leaps aboard and sits with us. Turns out the captain raises orphan birds  and things in her spare time. She's a real character and the whole thing is like a movie set...you wouldn't believe. These animals know her and call in the say hi, and take the odd fish or two. Then we have 'Namibian coffee', which turns out to be a sherry-like drink, followed by a real coffee, followed by beer, followed by oysters and sparkling wine....

.....then we chase bottle-nose dolphins and the Captain is clearly madly overjoyed at seeing them ..first time in three weeks apparantly. Then we are taken to see thousands of breeding seals. The Cap'n asks the name of our intrepid leader..and when he repies Nelson, she says 'well, I have a seagull called Nelson'. Unlikely we think, then 5  minutes later  the real Nelson (as in white feathery bird) turns up and perches next to the Cap'n. What the hell is in that Namibian coffee! This is surreal in the extreme...

....so, heading back, when we think things can't get much wierder, Cap'n leaps onto the bow and hollers in a strange very loud manner..... and three pelicans fly alongside in perfect formation, touching the water before peeling away. Then she does it again..same result. 'Reared 'em' says she....

Did that really happen? Africa!

Lots of seals...

Anyway, back at our luxury camp we are treated to a Namibian pot meal by Mr Fix-It..and damn good it is too.

...and so to today...Sunday

Lie-in (wonderful), washing (ugh!), walk into town to buy some stuff at the craft market (great), walk in again to have Sunday lunch with friends (really great). Sort out route and arrangements for tomorrow then update blog.....

Forget luxury for the next few days...it's into the desert proper, hopefully with air-con. Fingers crossed.