Namibia > Seals, lots of seals

Fortunately, today we can sleep in until seven o’clock. We leave at half past eight. After breakfast and packing, we drive toward Swakopmund. On the way, we visit Cape Cross. At Cape Cross, there is a seal colony of about 100,000 seals.

Namibia - 100000 seals together on the beach at Cape Cross

Thomas points out that first you smell the seals, then hear them, and finally see them. This turns out to be accurate. The immense population of seals is remarkable to witness. Wherever you look, there are seals—so many seals. They trample over each other as they head toward the water. Among the seals lie some dead ones, which the jackals feast on. The seals are right behind a low wall, allowing you to get very close for photos. From Cape Cross, we drive about 130 kilometers to Swakopmund. The journey takes us through the desert. Everyone, except Thomas, catches some sleep. Around two o’clock we wake up as we enter Swakopmund.

Namibia - Dining at the restaurant in Swakopmund

The backpackers’ hostel Villa Wiese is located on the edge of town, built in a charming German style. The room is quite small for five people. There’s barely enough space to open a bag. Theo finds the room too small and decides to book his own room. After lunch, we get an introduction to Swakopmund on a large map on the wall. Afterwards, we head to Desert Adventures to book activities for tomorrow. We decide to take a scenic flight over the Sossusvlei sand dunes. We are three people, but soon a German couple joins, filling the plane. This makes it cheaper (200 US dollars). On the way back, we have the minibus drop us off in the city center for some shopping. We browse the souvenir shops and have a beer (or two) at a café. Late in the afternoon, we walk back to the hotel. In the evening, we start with happy hour at the bar. Around seven o’clock, we all go to eat at the Lighthouse Restaurant. On Thomas’s recommendation, we order oryx—very tasty! Back at the hotel, we have another drink at the bar, and I go to bed (although my roommates continue on for a while).