Swakopmund

18^th August 2010 (Day 8)

We are the first guests at what will be ‘Ocean Villa’ when it opens at the end of the month. Poppy who has been brought in for her first day of work serves us a lovely breakfast in the newly built thatched and partially open air restaurant area. After breakfast we walk the 500 yards or so to the beach where large waves bombard the beach which is overlooked by some very impressive houses all of which have their own individual design. The morning is cold and windy with a very hazy outlook and is reminiscent of Tenby in October.

We take a taxi into town and head for an internet café. It is great that so many people are keeping in touch via e-mail. We also manage to set up the blog which can be followed on www.3worldwanderers.blogspot.com. Of course if you’re reading this then you know that!!

The centre of Swakopmund might perhaps best be described as resembling a picture postcard view of a Bavarian village which is in sharp contrast to the desert scrubland that surrounds it. We wander around enjoying comparing prices and goods available in shops compared to those at home.

A walk to the aquarium is fruitless as it is closed until 2012 but on our walk we realise we will not be short of company from local street traders who are all keen to meet us! Isaac soon realises that he could purchase an identical bowl to one his mum bought for £40 for well under £5. Undeterred by this Michele only bemoans the fact that, due to our luggage restrictions, she could not buy a job lot to take back to the UK and with which she could almost certainly secure the financial future of the Browne family!

As the day draws on the haze lifts and the sun comes out. We spend a couple of hours at the mole which was a failed attempt to build a harbour by German occupiers that was frustrated by the continually shifting sand banks in the area. The mole does, however, provide a section of the beach (known locally as Palm Beach) with protection from the waves and we learn that it attracts swimmers in the late afternoon once the regular morning haze has lifted and the temperature has risen.

Having failed to access the aquarium Isaac is more than disappointed that the ‘only heated swimming pool in Namibia’ has gone one step further and is closed for good! He will have to get used to the icy chill he felt at Rivendell or perhaps venture into the Atlantic off ‘Palm Beach’.

At the end of a long afternoon we enjoy a beer (grapeatizer for Isaac) at Anton’s Café as the sun sets over the Ocean. From our visit to Swakopmund museum the next day we realise that it is one of the original buildings in the development of the town. All in all a very enjoyable day.

19^th August 2010 (Day 9)

An exciting day today, at 4pm our Toyota 4x4 will be delivered to Ocean View and we will suddenly become a lot more mobile. It is with this in mind that we take the decision, after another lovely breakfast served by the seemingly ever cheerful Poppy, to walk to town. Michele is doubtful about the decision from the outset, Isaac on the other hand thinks that it is a marvellous idea for about 20 minutes after which his enthusiasm starts to wane. The walk takes just over an hour, this is not too bad, it is the concern expressed by locals about the potential risks involved that worries Vince (after the event!!!). Ignorance as ever is bliss!

It was an interesting walk, however, with very impressive and to us seemingly architect designed properties on the one side (several of which appeared to come out of a James Bond type film) with the mist and crashing waves on the other side.

We once again visit the internet café and post our first blog of the year. We answer the much valued e-mails and make our way to the museum.

This private museum was more impressive to us than the National Museum in Windhoek. One section clearly identifies the huge influence of the German Colonists at the turn of the century. The more interesting sections chronicle some history and culture of the large range of indigenous tribes that make up the Namibian nation. Sections on archaeological finds in Namibia and Namibian wildlife help to make the visit (at least for Vince and Michele) very interesting.

After the visit to the museum we head back to pick up the car. Isaac’s smile and enthusiasm know no bounds! The car does not disappoint and Isaac and Vince go off and explore, without Isaac they might never have returned!! His observational and directional skills are far better than his dads’!