Picto Diary - 19 December 2018 - Walvis Bay, Namibia
Above: Walvis Bay, Namibia. 19 December 2018.
Out there...Namib Desert! Namibia!
Beyond the coastal Namib desert, which reminds of the Atacama coastal desert of Chile and the Paracas coastal desert of Peru, is a central plateau region of semi arid landscape, on the other side of which, is another desert... the famed Kalahari desert. Beyond that, ie. to the east, is South Africa, Zambia, and Botswana. There is a weird quirk of geography, the Caprivi Strip, that allows Namibia a few hundred meters of coast line on the Zambesi River. In one part of the Caprivi Strip, Zimbabwe is only 200 feet across the river from Namibian territory. While on floating safari in Chobe National Park of Botswana in 2013, our guide took us to the point in the river where the Nabian Caprivi Strip intersected with the Zambezi River. We could see Namibia, at that point, but, we didn't make land fall.
Walvis Bay Is Namibia's major deep water port. A railway line connects Walvis Bay to Namibia's capital, Windhoek, two hundred miles east.
Germany lost Namibia as a colonial possession after WWI. Namibia was declared a British mandate at Versailles and the country was folded in to the post WWI British managed Republic of South Africa.
Namibia, with a population of only 2.5 million, was more or less a part of South Africa, until 1988 when it gained its independence. From the mid 70's through independence an insurgent group aligned with the Soviet block, SWAPO, fought a low grade war with South Africa to achieve Namibian independence. This movement was aligned with similar movements in Angola, where Soviet advisors and Cuban troops fought against a democratic government backed by Portugal.
In 1988, Namibian independence from South Africa was secured as a result of a UN and US supported treaty arrangement guaranteeing a democratic government in Namibia.
Namibia is prosperous in African terms. Namibia is rich in natural resources. Diamonds. Gold. Oil. There is extensive wildlife both in national and private preserves. Namibia's per capita income of $14 K is less than South Africa's at $25 K, but well beyond the average, and depressingly low average per capita income level of $2000 in most of the countries we have visited during our cruise down the coast of West Africa.
For that select group that likes to do international motorcycle touring, Namibia is a prime destination for great riding.
Some of the same land redistribution issues South Africa is facing are also Namibian concerns. 400 white farmers own one half of the arable land in Namibia. There are discussions ongoing that seek to redistribute some of that land to qualified black African farmers.
Image from 11th deck of Regent Seven Seas Explorer. — at Namport, Port of Walvis Bay.
Above: Pelicans. Walvis Bay Lagoon. Walvis Bay, Namibia. 19 December 2018.
Most of our excursions to date on the cruise have been cultural... city sites... villages etc. To break the pattern, we took a wildlife tour offered by Regent.
The tour guide said it would be about birds... and so it was, for the most part. But, there were a couple of surprises.... including on of our top ten all time wild life sightings.
Above: Pied Avocets. Pelican Point. Walvis Bay, Namibia. 19 December 2018.
20x telephoto. Panasonic Lumix Leica Lens.
Above: Cape Teal Family. Pelican Point. Walvis Bay, Namibia. 19 December 2018.
Above: Greater Flamingos. Pelican Point. Walvis Bay, Namibia. 19 December 2018.
Throughout the tour, there were great flocks of these birds, in the water, and flying around. In flight, the underside of each wing has a splotch of red. The effect is beautiful.
Above: Oyster Catchers. Pelican Point. Walvis Bay Namibia. 19 December 2018.
Captured at 30x telephoto with Panisonic Lumix Leica Lens camera.
Very proud of this image since I was lucky to get it. Our guide pointed out the birds at great distance.... too far to get an image, even with my Lumix.
These birds are notoriously skittish. I crept up on them... taking an image ever 20 feet or so, knowing that the last of the images I took before they took flight would be the best image I would get.
This image, very satisfactory, was the last one I got, from about 200 feet away, before they flew off.
I've captured good images of Oyster Catchers in Alaska and in Patagonia.
Above: TIMDT observes Lesser Flamingos. Pelican Point. Walvis Bay, Namibia.
There were an amazing amount of birds at Pelican Point. This reminds of the wonderful bird tour TIMDT and Mwah (sic) took in the Falkland Islands in 2010.
Above: Oil drilling platform is from Angola undergoing maintenance. Walvis Bay, Namibia. 19 December 2018.
Walvis Bay is nearest deep water harbor where the fix can be accomplished.
The newest platforms are self propelled. No tugs required.
Above: Coral Plant. Pelican Point. Walvis Bay, Namibia. 19 December 2018.
Edible. Apparently coral plant can be prepared in a salad, or, baked, as a garnish, with fish and other vegetables.
Above: Seals. Pelican Point. Walvis Bay, Namibia. 19 December 2018.
Check out the babies. According to the guide, half the baby seals in the herd have to be culled to insure herd health. There are no predators for this animal.
Above: Seal herd. Pelican Point. Walvis Bay, Namibia. 19 December 2018.
Who knew this many seals could be concentrated in one spot?
This sight goes on for three miles around the tip of the point to the South Atlantic Ocean side.
The seal baying noise is omnipresent and intense.
This has to rank as a top ten wildlife sighting if only for its sheer scope.
Walvis Bay, Namibia. — at Pelican Point.
Above: Black backed jackal. Pelican Point, Walvis Bay, Namibia. 19 December 2018.
These animals feed on dead seals. They are pervasive and easily seen at Pelican Point.
30x telephoto. Panasonic Lumix Leica Lens.
Above: Push Me Pull You. Pelican Point, Walvis Bay, Namibia. 19 December 2018
Vehicle on right tows one of our excursion vehicles, stymied up to the hubs in deep sand . — at Pelican Point.
Above: TIMDT. Dunes Mall. Walvis Bay, Namibia. 19 December 2018.
This mall was a bit of a surprise after having spent the previous two weeks in very impoverished looking countries.
Above: Mascato Youth Choir. Walvis Bay, Namibia. 19 December 2018.
Perfect in every respect.
Are these kids mimicking the moves of the Pips, or, is it the other way around? Evidence that African rhythms and dance made it's way into R and B and other popular Western music.
Concert is in Constellation Theater, on board Regent Seven Seas Explorer, while berthed at Walvis Bay, Namibia . — at Namport, Port of Walvis Bay.
Above: Port of Walvis Bay. Walvis Bay, Namibia. 18 November 2018.
Image from observation lounge of Regent Seven Seas Explorer on departure for Cape Town, 750 nautical miles distant. — at Namport, Port of Walvis Bay.
Above: Millenium Lounge. Regent Seven Seas Explorer. Wavis Bay, Namibia. 18 December 2018.
Bond 'n Bridge boogy.
Bond summarizes cruise to date:
Only two more days for:
1. Great food.
2. Fantastic entertainment.
3. Fabulous bed.
4. Outstanding shower.
Addendum:
Steve
Seeing the per capita income chart is fascinating. 50 years ago, Zimbabwe then Southern Rhodesia had the second highest per capita income in Africa. South Africa' s income was 4 times Zimbabwe which was 4 times country number three. At that time Zimbabwe was the largest food exporting country in Africa. Today Zimbabwe does not register in per capita income and has to import food. The food importing is not a result of population growth but a collapse in farm production. The land could support the population but the government appropriated privately owned farms causing production levels to collapse.
The POPE
Naples, FL
I remember that book being a turning point for me interest in serious literature. I have since read many novels about Africa and the developing world, in particular. I am not sure they read this book anymore in high schools. I was sorely disappointed when speaking to the 10th grade teacher at Rowland Hall that they do not read and memorize Chaucer in Old English anymore. Dumbed down version only :(. And, lot’s of books that don’t hurt people’s feelings…...
FeeBee
Park City, UT