Playtime with Pelicans

On the late afternoon of 10th April, we drove into Swakopmund which seemed to have a completely different climate from everywhere else we had been to in Namibia up until this point. As we drove in, we spotted thousands of flamingos at Walvis Bay, it was far cooler, very misty, wet and windy but in a great many respects a lovely change from the heat we had experienced up to now!

We checked into a lovely homestay with a family complete with kids, dogs and cats called Japie's Yard Wanderer's Inn. This was 1350 NAD (£62) for two nights for a 'standard cottage' with a little kitchen and we were able to park the car directly outside in the street. There were also plentiful supermarkets in Swakopmund to stock up on everything we needed!

Our new friend Ella also came with us to Japie's Yard, staying in a cheaper room inside the family house, but after a day this was where we said said farewell to her as she headed back to Windhoek by minibus. She really was a fantastic addition to our little team for six days and it was also great for me to have another adult to chat to on the long drives!

On 11th April, we drove about half an hour out to Walvis Bay for a morning catamaran tour with Sun Sail Catamarans. This had been booked in by our accommodation and was a truly spectacular experience for around £50-£60 each. We saw sea lions and humungous pelicans visit our boat - such beautiful creatures and so incredibly special for us both. The fresh oysters and sparkling wine with lunch on board topped it off!

After we got back, we popped into the Swakopmund Museum, bought a since much-read book called The Baboon Who Went to the Moon (!!) and had a run around the beachfront playground!