I’ve nipped around the edges of the recent trip Thorsten and I took to southern Namibia. But I haven’t gotten to the real heart of the journey yet because I don’t know how to explain it. Namibia captured my imagination and then ran away with it, leaving me with insufficient words to describe my impressions. But let me do my best.
Veldskoens: Southern Africa's Favorite Shoes
I can’t remember the exact moment when I became aware of veldskoens, a.k.a. vellies. These leather foot coverings – somewhere between a shoe and a boot – have always been prolific in rural South Africa, lining the shelves of padstals (farm stalls), small clothing shops, and famers’ co-ops. I would often see them and think: Those are nice shoes. I should buy a pair.
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The Koichab Dunes: Namibia's Secret Sand Dunes
Namibia is a giant desert, famous for its towering sand dunes. If you’re familiar with African travel then you’ve probably heard of the Sossusvlei dunes – which have become dune celebrities, thanks to Instagram – and maybe Walvis Bay’s Dune 7, the tallest dune in Namibia. But how about Namibia’s Koichab dunes…ever heard of those?
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There's a Lot of Sand in Namibia
It’s time for my last Namibia post.
Sand meets sea near Walvis Bay, Namibia.
Deserts have always fascinated me, so spending time in the desert was my number-one priority in Namibia. After meeting up with my friend Michelle in Windhoek, we hopped into our rented hatchback and headed for Swakopmund, a popular Namibian holiday destination on Africa’s Atlantic coast.
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Under Namibian Skies
While in Namibia recently, I spent three days in Etosha National Park. Etosha is considered one of the best places in Southern Africa for game-viewing. (Although if you are really into seeing animals, December is not the best time to go to Etosha. There’s a lot of water in the park at this time of year so the animals aren’t forced to come into the open and drink at the waterholes, as they are during the dry season. In December you have to look a bit harder.)