April 11, 2024 Walvis Bay, Nambia, 24 days left of 138 days

 Happy 9th Anniversary to us. Nine years ago today at 5 pm in Kauai, Hawaii we tied the knot, made it legal, professed our love, celebrated the first of our two weddings. We are sitting here wondering how it got to be 9 years so fast. Little did we know 9 years ago, or even last year that we would be celebrating in Nambia this year. Life has a way of surprising us, and this marriage has been one of the better surprises in my life.

Above is a picture from this journey, to the right is us at our wedding in 2015. I think the years have been good to us.

After 114 days we have figured out how to get on the same bus for an excursion. Here are the 6 of us ready to experience Nambia. In the back row is Susan Bull, Mike Pizzey, and Greg and Roseanne Ten Eyck.

Our first stop is Walvis Bay Lagoon, a sheltered wetland that is home to a large population of greater and lesser flamingos and rare white pelicans. It is one of the most important wetlands in southern Africa, and a vital stopover point for flocks of migratory birds making their way to Etosha and Botswana. I loved the flamingos in flight.

A Jelly fish on the beach. Notice the bird tracks in the sand.

Our next stop was through town to Nambia's famous sand dunes. We are able to walk up the dunes, there were people taking some quads out, and some 4X4 Jeeps touring the dunes. These pictures are from the entrance.

Above is us starting out to climb the dune. The weather is cool which makes the climb easier. Our guide said that you would not enjoy yourself unless you had sand in your shoes. We made sure we got the sand in our shoes. Off in the distance was a housing development and wharf.

The picture on the lefts is me waving from where I stopped. The climb was difficult on the sand which became softer as you climbed higher. It was one step forward and slide a half step or more back. It felt like I was on the ship, the ground seemed to move under me. 

Below Susan and I celebrating. I wish it showed how high I really made it.

Above is the four of us coming down. The two Mikes, Susan and me.

On the left is Mike, Greg and Roseanne at the top of the dune.

Susan made it almost to the top and celebrated.

Someone wrote I heart Nambia. I added the 2024. Mike gave it his Playboy pose.

Above Marilyn and Mike took their Anniversary picture. Mike finely got the hang of making a heart with his hands.

On the left is the view from the top of the dunes.

When we made it down, the Viking crew met us with cold drinks, and brats. This was not an advertised part of the excursion. It was a perfect ending to an interesting visit to Nambia. 

On reflection, the people are friendly, the town for the most part clean and safe. The sand on the beaches is said to contain precious gems. Makes you want to go sit on the beach and check out the sand. This country has diamonds and other precious gems including rubies just under the sand on the southern beaches, but the current moves them up the coastline.

When we reached the port there were locals with their wares for sale outside the fence. They had beautiful animal carvings, some cloths, bracelets, bowls, and any number of other things. Some of the women selling their wares were in native clothing and topless. They were charging for pictures of themselves. We were not told if they were topless because this is there culture, or if this was for shock value or increased profits. I guess we will never know.

These are the jelly fish. I took the top picture, and another guest posted their picture on facebook. These were right in the water around the ship as we walked back. There was also a seal swimming around the area. It has been a good fun morning.

I have been trying to show the countries flags. The top one is Nambia, the bottom one is South Africa. I don't know why they were flying both flags. It took Nambia 4 years after independence to select a flag.

We celebrated 9 years of loving each other as Mr. and Mrs. with our other couples in crime. It was a special dinner at Manfredi's. We included our waiter Leo in the picture as his expertise helped make our evening.

Our vocalists did a show tonight, so it was Dinner and a show to end our lovely evening.

When we returned to our cabin, while I worked on our blog my loving multi talented husband did the laundry. Who could ask for more.