After one sea day from Cape Town we arrived at Walvis Bay in Namibia – a country with the big Namib Desert, lots of high sand dunes, and not that many people – about 3 million. Our excursion was great fun with the first stop to look at the pink flamingos – many thousands of them!

These Lesser Flamingos are pink due to their diet of algae. Namibia also has Greater Flamingos which are bigger (about 4′ tall) and white because they do not eat the algae.

Next up was a drive in our Land Rover to the top of a sand dune and a demo with a magnet showing us that there is a lot of magnetite (iron oxide) in the sand which allows the dunes to get really big! The drive was a bit hair-raising with some serious tilting to the right and spinning wheels going up and then a steep pitch off a cornice to come down.

Next was a stop to show us and discuss the big salt works operation. They have many hectares of drying beds, lots of sun, not much rain, and a quiet end of the bay that is protected by a sand spit that extends about 10 miles north. Salt is a big export for Namibia for use around the world.

Then we drive several miles up the sand spit/peninsula.

And get into the kayaks

To spend some time with the local Cape Fur Seals who have a permanent home on the peninsula! Many thousands of them! And curious juveniles that had the potential to jump on board our kayak which was a bit disconcerting.

The local light house provides high-priced accommodations for those interested. But before booking you should know that the seal population has quite an aroma!

The return trip across the bay to the main shore included a visit from the “Namibian Air Force” as our captain described them.

Which are Great White Pelicans and apparently have a close relationship with our water taxi that happens to keep a bucket of mullet available for visitors! They start on the roof and probe the boss for some handouts from above.

And then proceed into the cockpit to make friends with the cruise guests.

And included some rail time with the two of us!

And then this fellow came aboard for some handouts!

And seemed to know his favorite spot.

And reminded me of a dog looking for snacks while I’m doing the dishes

So we’re now heading for Dakar, Senegal which is seven sea days off to the northwest from Namibia and is at the westernmost point of Africa. Lots of action playing bridge, listening to lectures, and eating a bit too much.

Cheers,

Marty and Charlie