Lüderitz

We wake up unexpectedly to thick fog. Yes, we are on the Atlantic coast, but we are in the tropics and in the Namib desert 🏜. We get up later than usual, and around midday, we head for Kolmanskopp, a ghost town near Lüderitz. The town thrived 100 years ago mining diamonds. Later, as cheaper sources were available, it fell into disuse. Now it's a bit eerie with pushchairs and toys that were left a long, long time ago. The atmosphere is, however, disturbed somewhat by a large American film crew using the site for a drama.

In the afternoon, we head down the coast to Diaz Point, where there is a lighthouse, beach, and very lonely coffee shop. We have a picnic of cheese and ham sandwiches on the rock's next to the beach. Nora announces she needs a Kaka , so I, never one to turn down a coffee, volunteer to take her to the loo at the coffee shop. Nora does her thing, whilst I enjoy my first latte in 3 weeks, for the meagre sum of $1.8. The waitress says to me, "You see those tourists there please tell them to come here." I smile politely. (We see six other people all afternoon).

Then, there are two little dramas. 1st, I don't quite trust my eyes, but that looks like a snake! Is it dead? I call the others, especially snake fan Lennox. Still, the question is, "dead or alive?", but after a short time, the snake answers the question. Stand back, children! Later, we identify it as a rather dangerous thorn headed viper.

The 2nd is the other tourists, who also came to photograph the snake, tell me you should replace that tyre it's not safe and yes the 4cm long tear does not look good. Then, without asking the others, a local and German set about changing the tyre for us. We all feel a bit stupid but thankful we learned how to do it.

"Stop after 1km and check the bolts are tight," so we did, and by chance, we stopped where there were lots of very pink flamingoes. Every time the children moved closer, the birds moved the same distance away, until after about 800m, the birds had had enough and flew off.

In the evening, for food, we visited Lüderitz downtown. It was the days 2nd ghost town, except for three bars with pool tables. Eventually, we found a restaurant open, and several of us were so hungry we ordered twice.

Flo and I had beer, and although the menu suggested ladies should take 250ml Flo risked it and also took a half litre.

After food we ordered a taxi. The price is $1.1 each. The driver has a 4 seater Toyota, but he is happy to take all 8 if we don't! 😀Läs mer