NAMIBIA Day: 7 Swakopmund - Walvis Bay

Day 7

Swakopmund - Walvis Bay - Swakopmund

The sand dunes I have come to fall in love with!

Today was one of the nicest days in terms of seeing a lot, but not spending hours and hours in the saddle, be it tar or battling loose sand and gravel. We joined Johan and Louis for breakfast near the lighthouse and then Johan took us on a scenic ride to Walvis Bay.

Toni and Johan with standing proudly next to their similar KTM's

Taking the salt road round the back of the dunes was beautiful. I had never ridden on salt and can imagine it 

might be slippery when wet, but it rode like a lovely tar road. Rising high up on our right, brilliant yellow sand dunes sparkled in the stark sunlight. We stopped at Dune 7, the highest one of the series of dunes we were passing. Absolutely awesome!! Just like in the pictures of the desert, even the palm trees giving an Oasis feeling to it!

Brutus in front of the infamous Dune 7

The 3 of us - happy to be bikers!

We filled up in Walvis and then Johan took us to the Flamingos – out of town on the way to the salt works. What a lovely sight! They did not seem too worried about humans in such close proximity and I could get a few nice pics. 

Toni is showing how close he can get to the Flamingos

I cannot believe these birds are so happy in the desert?!

From there Johan showed us the whole area where the salt was being made. In spite of being a Sunday, things were in full swing and truck loads of salt was being delivered to the conveyer belt. 

Entering the saltworks

Salt coming down from the conveyor belts

Trucks hauling salt

We rode in deeper, seeing the dams where salt was busy forming. Even pink dams! Here the crystals form that get sold in the curio shops and semi precious jewellery gets made of.

Vast dams of pink!

Toni and Johan taking a closer look at the pink dam

The first signs of crystals forming

On our way back, the Flamingos had moved to the other side of the road and with the later time of day, I thought the setting was better. Once stopped and off the bikes, we noticed a jackal scavenging through the area and sometimes getting the birds slightly unsettled when he trots into their direction. I have never seen a jackal this near and once again a wonderful experience getting so close to the birds and wildlife! 

A beautiful sight - a jackal from this close!

The sun highlighting the dunes and catching the Flamingos

Brutus has to stand his man amongst the larger 2 KTM's!!

After saying goodbye to Johan, we took a short detour to the harbour, where we ended up looking for “something to take home”. Obviously a lot of bartering was involved and the “best” deal allowed us to take a few pics of her. The Ovambo women don’t bath that often and by putting this clay into their hair and bodies they keep away unwanted elements like insects (and maybe smell?).  They would go to sleep as is and retouch it the next day if needed.

It takes them hours to get their hair this lovely

A happy smile because she got something sold!

We took the coastal road back to Swakopmund, with huge dunes on the right and the sea on our left. As we left town, for more than a kilometre or two, there were lovely Palm trees on both sides of the road, almost bidding us farewell as we rode off into the sunset. Was it not for Johan, I don’t think we would have seen so much and had the experience we did. Stunning!

Once off the road, it's just sand and more sand!

Coastal road between Swakop and Walvis
I was surprised at the huge amount of development of both Swakopmund and Walvis. Somehow I could see myself escaping this way - were I ever forced to leave my beloved South Africa. I am (unwisely?) guessing Swakop would not get too hot in summer because it is at the coast? It has wonderful old buildings and I loved the architecture. We ended the day with fish and chips, our first break from pasta or salticrax-with-something since we've been in Namibia. NICE.

At last something other than pasta and salticrax!

Toni never seizes to bring a giggle at the most appropriate times! Yesterday, I came across this picture! I found him perched on his bed getting his GPS sorted out.  Now that morning he was dressed in a pair of socks that almost came to his crotch! This time he was wearing the owner of the guest house’s dressing gown!! All mauve and feminine, cause his clothes were still in the wash and he was getting cold! Sorry Toni, I just HAD to share this pic!

Toni caught in the act wearing a sexy little number!

Johan, thanks so much for showing us your wonderful area. I loved spending my “rest day” seeing even more of the treasures this awesome country has to offer. 

Also a huge thanks to Braam and Laura from La Sirenetta  For their tons of help with future tenting options, phonecalls, extra washing powder for the road, friendliness, the lip ice that at last helped for my chapped lips! - And loaning Toni your gown Laura! :) You guys went out of your way to make our stay wonderful!

AND I get to sleep in a real bed tonight!