GandK

Windhoek is Namibia’s capital and will be the first port of call for all who fly into the international airport!

The city itself has a feel of the colonial German about it (but I won’t hold that against it!). There’s some great shops in the city centre (and as you may have guessed from previous posts great restaurants too – what can I say – I like to eat!!). My favourite in Windhoek is Joe’s Beerhouse near Klien Windhoek – I’ll say no more except on my last visit I ate on the toilet!! If you’ve been (or go) you’ll get what I mean!!

Swakopmund is Namibia’s second largest town/city. It’s in the west of the country, right on the Atlantic coast. It has a wide variety of shops and curios (Peter’s Antiques is well worth a visit!) and great places to eat and enjoy yourself. Good food can be bought at Cape to Cairo, The Lighthouse, Kuckies and many other places – but by far the best for seafood (and location!) is The Tug. This is a restaurant that has been created out of a beached tug-boat! It has to be seen to be believed! The best seats (if booked early enough!) are right up by the window overlooking the ocean – sunsets in this part of the world are to die for!!

If you’ve a bit of time to kill, visit the Moon Landscape and Welwitchia Drive (both a sort journey from Swakop) or even the northern most reaches of the Namib Sand Desert which can be accessed from the road to Walvis Bay! Here you can try your hand at quad-biking in the dunes!! Great!

K and I spent several weeks during the summer of 2002 carrying out geological field work in the desert between Uis and Twfelfontaine. If you ever fancy spending sometime getting to know nature in all its beauty – visit this place! The area of desert is very remote and can only be accessed by 4×4 (and its not really advisable to head off alone if you’ve never been before) but if you can sort through the logisitics and perhaps get hold of a guide – it’s well worth a visit. We used the Ugab River Campground as our entry point to the desert. The campground is run by the Save the Rhino Trust and Berndt (the head guide) is very accomodating and often heads off into the desert to track the black rhino (ask nicely and he might take you!). The desert itself is a harsh environment – you’ll need lots of supplies, water, and a good knowledge of 4×4 driving. Things to see include the infamous Black Rhino, Elephant, Kudu, Springbok, Gemsbok, Ostrich and many other creept crawly things (as well as some bigger beasts!). The area also has outstanding geology with flood basalts encasing sedimentary dune systems (if this is your thing!) and some fascinating historical sites including abandoned Bushman vilages and cave/rock paintings and engravings. Essentially – its like Etosha (or some of the other places in Namibia but a lot more primitive!

K and I have been living in Dungannon since 2004. There’s plenty to do in and around the area including walks in Peatlands Park (NI’s very own bogland conservation area), or visiting the house and grounds at Parkanaur. The town is right at the end of the M1 motorway so it has great transport links to Belfast, Fermanagh, Armagh etc. If you wanna know more – get in touch!