Luderitz, Namibia / Sat Mar 16

Today we anchored in Luderitz, Namibia - the first German settlement in South West Africa. The town was founded in 1883 and in 1909 diamonds were discovered nearby.

We took a ship's excursion to Kolmannskuppe which is located several miles from the port in the Namib desert. Kolmannskuppe was once a thriving diamond mine but when mining moved away, all the people left and it's now a ghost town which is gradually being covered up by the desert.

We saw the main street where the shop keeper's home was located and also along this strip were a butcher, ice maker and baker. There were 44 children who lived there so there was a school. There was also a bowling alley and a gym. Each day a small train went from house to house to deliver the day's food and ice.

The bowling alley

Buildings where diamonds were processed

Bedroom in the shop keeper's home

Building where the ice was made

The bakery ovens

Shop keeper's dining room

One of the buildings was turned into a museum and one of the exhibit rooms was dedicated to the ways in which people tried to smuggle diamonds out.

Here are a few additional photos from Ludertiz:

Next stop is Walvis Bay, Namibia.

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Opals and Romeos

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