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| Port of Call - Walvis Bay, Namibia |
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| Colourful general store filled with life in
a black neighbourhood of Walvis Bay |
Peace Boat's arrival in this somewhat less-travelled,
intriguing West African destination was not without adventure or incident.
The former German colony was held under South African administration
until 1990 when independence was granted. However, colonial legacies
both positive and negative are still highly visible. For instance,
a quick tour of the small town of Walvis Bay and its neat divisions
of white palatial homes, modest coloured neighbourhoods and black
shanty-town residential areas is a telling sign. |
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| Sense of solitude out in the Namib Desert |
While a small number of people explored the local
area by themselves, most Peace Boat participants joined a pre-arranged
tour and headed for the stunning Namib Desert Park, located within
Namibia's largest national park. Some people camped overnight in the
sea of sand and enjoyed a BBQ dinner, while a small group of 20 participants
rode in a Cessna plane to view the impressive landscape for above.
The bird's eye view took in the Kuiseb Canyon, the ruins of a diamond
mine, and a shipwreck on the sand dune bordered coast. With just 1.7
million people and one of Africa's lowest population densities, the
perception of seclusion and barrenness in Namibia, particularly out
in the desert park, is vivid. This sensation seemed to make some participants
feel closer to nature's beauty while others felt a longing for the
hustle and bustle of a metropolis. |
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| Making friends with wild seals in the Walvis
Bay Lagoon |
A particularly enjoyable way to spend time within
a closer radius to the ship, was by hopping on a ski boat with up
to 10 other people to not just observe, but also interact with the
surrounding wildlife. Within minutes of climbing aboard, an exceptionally
friendly 300kg (wild) seal leapt out of the water and pleaded with
the passengers for some fish! Considering the skipper didn't warn
those onboard of the arrival of any slippery visitors, the screams
of shock, surprise and delight practically paralysed people into moments
of inaction, although cameras started snapping away soon thereafter.
The calm waters of the Walvis Bay lagoon are also home to thousands
of flamingos, cormorants, pelicans and many migratory birds. Further
out, we caught up with dozens of bottle-nosed dolphins that closely
pursued the vibrations of the ski boats for their own sensual pleasure,
according to the Namibian skipper. |
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| Peace Boat's
40th Voyage index |
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PEACE BOAT is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. |
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