Walvis Bay, Namibia / Sun Mar 17

Today we're docked in Walvis Bay, Namibia which is located on the Atlantic coast of Africa. The Walvis Bay Lagoon is one of the richest and most important wetlands in southern Africa and is home to abundant bird life including flamingos, pelicans and Damara terns. East of the bay are coastal sand dunes that mark the start of the Namib Desert (the world's oldest). 

We and several others had a full day, private tour in 4x4s. Our first stop was to see the flamingos in the lagoon. 

Next we drove past the salt fields which are part of a 3500-hectare salt-pan complex that supplies over 90% of South Africa's salt. The pans concentrate salt from seawater with the aid of evaporation.  

Piles of salt

The salt fields

Some of the salt fields had a pinkish color which comes from algae in the water.

Then we began our drive into the National Park to see the dunes.

We saw a bit of wildlife on our way.

 

We also passed a tour group whose vehicle was stuck in the sand. Our driver, Rudy, took some air out of their tires and was then able to drive the 4x4 out of the rut. 

We saw a few desert residents - 

 

We stopped to take pictures along the way .... unfortunately in a photo it's hard to grasp how tall these dunes were.
 

 

 

 

The original natives of the desert used to bury their dead in the sand but it can be so windy that the surface of the graves are blown away and the contents of the grave revealed.

 

Our goal was to get to Sandwich Harbor where we were going to have lunch at the dunes. However we were delayed because one of the 4x4s in our group got stuck in the sand .... TWICE! Our driver, Rudy, was again able to save the day and pull the vehicle out. Turns out the 4x4 got stuck because it was lower to the ground than the other 4x4s.

Second time the 4x4 got stuck

They used a strong rope to pull the 4x4 out

Our driver - Rudy

The route we were taking to Sandwich Harbor was right along the ocean. Since the sand dunes come straight down into the water there is only a narrow area to drive and at high tide it's not possible take this route.

Amazing to see the ocean so close. It literally came right up to our 4x4.

Since we were delayed several times, the tide was coming in. We watched the first 4x4 make it through. 

Rudy needed to time our drive so we'd go past the narrowest point when the waves were going out. We made it and I was able to take pictures of one of the other vehicles coming through.

They made it!

Just before getting to the harbor Rudy pointed out a mirage to us (sorry no photo of it) as well as a home that had been buried by the sand - only the roof was visible. 

 
We finally made it to the place where we were having lunch. The drivers put out a beautiful spread including oysters, meat, chicken, fish and champagne and we enjoyed eating at the base of a large dune.

 After lunch we drove up and down the dunes (often at high speed) on our way back to the ship. Many times we drove up to a very high peak and then drove straight down. Pictures can't convey the experience but it was so much fun!

Below is a plant with small melons on it. It's what some of the desert animals eat.

 

We arrived back at the ship a bit after 4pm giving us only an hour to get ready for the evening event that was just for those taking the world cruise.