Walvis Bay, Namibia

2018 HAL World Cruise

Saturday, April 7, 2018

 

Since leaving Cape Town, South Africa, the Cruise Line has been warning all passengers about the safety and security concerns of the upcoming ports-of-call.  Apparently criminal confrontations and armed attacks occur on a pretty regular basis.  We are receiving written instructions on how to stay safe; we get lectures on where not to go; we are encouraged to travel in groups; we are told how to behave, what to wear, and what to look out for!  But the incongruity is when we actually disembark in a port—it looks as safe as any other port we’ve ever been to!  Walvis Bay, Namibia is a case in point.

We arrived in Walvis Bay on an overcast morning.  The cruise line provided a shuttle from the port to both the brand-new Dunes Mall and the Walvis Bay Lagoon.  We usually disembark around 10:00-10:30am, so we decided to visit the Mall first.  We shopped for souvenirs (there were none—this is a typical mall meant to serve the local residents’ needs.  The most popular stores were the supermarket and pharmacy!)  So, after enjoying coffee at the Mug & Bean Café, we hopped on the shuttle and went out to the Lagoon.  The homes we passed along the way were lovely.  We actually joked that everything was so neat and tidy this must be a community of expats from Germany!  And that turns out to be true!  This is a very attractive area for German travelers who love the warmth of the sun and the refreshing blue sea!

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On the dock in Walvis Bay. Look closely and you will see the exact street where the city of Walvis Bay ends and the Namib Desert begins!
Waiting for the shuttle to take us to the Dunes Mall or the Walvis Bay Lagoon.
Waiting for the shuttle to take us to the Dunes Mall or the Walvis Bay Lagoon.
The town stops abruptly at the Namib Desert!
The town stops abruptly at the Namib Desert!
Arriving at the Dunes Mall, located at the very edge of the Namib Desert.
Arriving at the Dunes Mall, located at the very edge of the Namib Desert.
Arriving at the Dunes Mall, we found it just the same as any mall in the US.
Arriving at the Dunes Mall, we found it just the same as any mall in the US.
We stopped for coffee at the Mug & Bean Cafe.
We stopped for coffee at the Mug & Bean Cafe.
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Internet was available at the cafe, but very slow and sketchy. We gave up and decided it was beater to pay for our minutes on the ship rather than waste time trying to save a few dollars slogging on the Namibian WiFi!
Driving thru Walvis Bay we saw many lovely, well-kept homes.
Driving thru Walvis Bay we saw many lovely, well-kept homes.
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We did, however, notice that all homes are heavily walled or fenced; many have electric wire atop the fencing; and everyone seems to own several very large dogs!
Back on the shutle, we head over to the waterfront and lagoon.
Back on the shutle, we head over to the waterfront and lagoon.
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As we approach the Lagoon, we can see the promenade that extends from the waterfront at the dock all the way down the Lagoon.
We walked along the Lagoon and admired all the lovely homes.
We walked along the Lagoon and admired all the lovely homes.
These are really nice homes!
These are really nice homes!
Now look at this! The pink flamingoes of the Walvis Bay Lagoon.
Now look at this! The pink flamingoes of the Walvis Bay Lagoon.
Walking along the promenade.
Walking along the promenade.
Enjoying the park-like atmosphere.
Enjoying the park-like atmosphere.
Along the Lagoon promenade
Along the Lagoon promenade
Stopoping for refreshment at the Raft Restaurant
Stopoping for refreshment at the Raft Restaurant
And ending our day with the standard local brew!
And ending our day with the standard local brew!

 

We had a great time in Walvis Bay.  Now we’re on our way to Luanda, Angola!

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