Today's port of call was Walvis Bay and our second and final stop in Namibia. Last evening, we all got more forms to fill out for immigrations. This afternoon between 3 and 6:30pm, we need to take our passports to the Hudson Room where officials will take the forms and stamp our passports once again. Another sticker would be added which meant that we were not able to go off of the ship after clearing the customs.
The Zuiderdam was docked by 9am and along the way into the bay, we saw many more seals popping out of the water. They are such curious creatures, they were checking out the ship. Some of the tours offered today included a lagoon cruise and drive for $300 for 7 ½ hours. A drive through the Namib desert in a 4 x 4 vehicle was $320, while a dolphin and seal safari was $140. A ride to Sandwich Harbor was $230, and the living Namib desert was $190. A popular tour was a ride to Swakopmund was $180, and real Namibia was $180. The most expensive excursion was a flight over Sussusvlei, a 2 hour 10 minute ride that covered 400 miles. That tour ran $2000 per person.
Breakfast was back in the upper dining room where our group shared stories of their exploits. It has been the most fun beginning our days there. Looking out the windows, the fog appeared heavier than yesterday in Luderitz. What a difference from being in Cape Town just a few days ago, where it was so nice and warm.
Once again, we stuck around until noon, then left the ship. Leaving the gangway, we saw the ground was covered with seagull poop and you could not avoid stepping on it. Totally gross. The gulls must roost here by the hundreds at night after a day of fishing. You can imagine the odor. Oh well, we figured the folks will have walked it off by the time we leave and get back later.
Even though it was not written in the Daily Program, we knew there was a shuttle to take the folks to downtown or the newer shopping mall. A line of mostly crew members were already waiting, so we decided to walk out the nearby gate a short distance away from the ship. The road was covered with coal dust and sand, but perhaps it will take off some of the bird doo.
Directly out the gate, the row of street vendors lined the fencing for a half mile. These are not local people, but immigrants from southern Angola. They are from the Himba tribe we have read. We were slightly shocked to see at least four ochre-covered braided hair ladies selling trinkets about half nude from the waist up. On all of our visits here, we have never seen this done. In a way it is sad, as the youngest of this group looked at the tourists with dead eyes. Obviously she was being used as a display to sell souvenirs. As undressed as they were, we are certain they will attract most all of the men on the ship and sell a lot of trinkets. The rest of the vendors, especially the men, were very pushy and we said we would look more on our way back.
From here, we went down a street towards the water's edge passing by a nice hotel. Near this hotel is a restaurant built over the water by the name of The Raft. We would come back here later.
This body of water was named Pelican Bay, about a half mile from the port. Some beautiful homes, condos, and small hotels line this waterfront. But it always looks like no one is home. Behind fences and locked gates, the locals are not out and about like in regular cities. We did see a few kids riding bikes or playing soccer in a stadium. Other than that, the streets remained empty. Strange for a Saturday. By the way, there is the presence of police patrol in and around this entire area.
The best part of this hike is being able to see the flamingoes up close and personal. We got lucky and there were several flocks of the greater African flamingoes that have a wing span of over 5 feet and weigh about 8 pounds. They are tall and elegant birds with pale pink plumage and black and red-orange wings. Their necks are immensely long. The pink coloration is from the diet they have such as shrimps, insects, and microscopic plant. The color varies from bird to bird. They are highly sociable but do fight among themselves. Even the young ones quibble from what we witnessed. They lay one egg, with both parents caring for the chick. They are migratory, so we were thrilled to see so many of them today. We also saw a few flocks flying in a V formation high overhead.
Covering the entire bay, we did not see any pelicans which the bay was named after. Several nice benches were available where we could take our time watching the birds doing their thing. They use their feet and legs to stir up the mud in a scissor-like motion. It's almost like seeing them dance. Then they will dip their entire head underwater, scooping up a beak full of seawater which is strained through the beak, saving the good stuff.
After our long stroll, there was a reward at the end of the bay. A unique restaurant we passed on the way was our destination. The Raft serves fish, but also great pizzas as we recalled. The last two times we were here, we came to this restaurant built on stilts over the water. Today we ordered a Hawaiian pizza called "Limbo Dancer" along with one Windhoek beer and a Hansa brew. While enjoying our meal seated among the locals, we watched as the nearby hotel guests were playing a game of basketball, but from kayaks with oars. Now that's different. It was most entertaining as they were having a blast trying to sink the ball into the nets.
Time to leave after relaxing for an hour, we made our way back to the pier gate and the vendors who were even more aggressive this time. Most of these items we already have at home such as the wooden animal carvings or tribal masks. Saying we were only looking did not resonate with any of them. Naturally, we ended up with the half covered ladies, who held up nice beaded bracelets that happened to match what we were wearing at the moment. Their tactics were to have you try one on for sizing. Once the bracelet was fastened, they cover my wrist so I could not take it off easily. The other four gals approached and said we had to buy one from each of them at $25 each. No way. Not even $25 for two. A few years ago, they were sold for $5 each, and that is where we agreed to buy two of them. Now the most difficult thing was concentrating on their faces and not below their necks. We couldn't get back through the gates fast enough.
We were back onboard by 3:45pm, and had some time to work online, while one of us relaxed outside on the veranda with a sweatshirt and blanket once again. Without direct sun, it was downright cool. We suspect the fog would make its way onshore once again.
The Immigrations check and donation show were both delayed. The children from the Bernhard Nordkamp Center had come onboard earlier to enjoy lunch and swimming in the aft pool. Then they had an ice cream party for them. Their show began late, and interrupted the immigration check. Ian recommended that the folks attend the show and go to the drill afterwards. In addition, he suggested that the folks with early dining could attend the Lido instead. There was a Biergarten Festival in the Lido poolside between 5:30pm and 9pm loaded with lots of German style food. Live music was supplied by The Dance Band too.
The kids took to the World Stage and put on a moving performance with their native dance and music. There was a range of ages, but the youngest ones were the cutest of course. The final on the amount of donations added up to $9650 including 41 bags of school supplies. They were most thankful for the donation.
We decided to wait until 6:15pm to see the officials, who were set up in the Hudson Room this time. The line zig-zagged in the room, but moved quickly with several agents working. Job done.
Dinnertime found all present, sharing storied from the last two days. We watched a beautiful sunset while the ship left in the dark by 8pm. Three of our tablemates had taken taxis to Swakopmund for a German lunch, while the other two stayed onboard, still not feeling 100%. Sadly, we think another bug is being passed around such as Noro. More reason to wash or hands more often. We see many more crew members washing down stairwells, elevators, and doors.
For dinner we both had African prime rib, whatever that meant. It was quite good. A few ordered the flatiron steak, but it came smothered in gravy. Barb hates that, and now so does Greg. From here on, we all asked for the gravies to be on the side. A dessert of crème brulee saved the meal for Barb. She like it so much, she ordered two of them.
There was no show this evening due to all of the special events.
The clocks went back one hour as well. A few days at sea is what we need now.
Bill & Mary Ann
