Day 109 Luderitz, Namibia

I left the ship around 7:00 am this morning to take a tender ashore to the town of Luderitz, Namibia. There were only 3 of us on the first tender…. Not too many early risers. Just as we arrived ashore it started raining. What is it on this voyage where it pours rain every time we go to the desert…. I was getting pretty soaked as I took a walking tour in the picturesque town. I first headed up to the Felsenkirche Church to catch some scenic views of the city (in the rain. I wandered the town for a while taking photos when it started to clear a bit. I ran into a couple of friends, Don & Jane and we headed back through town and haeded back to the church since it was clearing. We stopped on the way at the Goerke Haus, which is was a great example of a German colonial home (built by a wealthy guy working in the diamond trade). We continued our travels back to Felsenkirche--a 1911, Cape Gothic-style Lutheran Church with beautiful stained-glass windows. We captured some great shots and decided to catch a taxi and go out into the Namib Desert to the ghost town of Kolmanskop, founded in 1908. This once was a prosperous mining town which was abandoned in the 1940s when the diamonds petered out. The buildings, although filled with sand in places, are fairly well preserved. It was a nice tour and photo stop. It was then back to Luderitz and back to the ship. I then went topside for a few glorious rays of sunshine…. It was a pretty nice day! Tomorrow we arrive at 0700 in Walvis Bay, Namibia. I am going on a tour out into the Namib desert. Here is a description: Namib Desert 4x4 Adventure
Drive via the coastal road through the scenic village of Swakopmund to the dry Swakop River and the Musical Rocks which are part of the Moon Mountains. Here your guide will inform you about these ancient rocks and mountains. The safari continues next through the Moon Valley past fascinating desert adapted plants such as the lichens at the Lichen Koppie and the Welwitschia Valley. These fascinating plants were discovered in 1859--a "modified tree, producing a single, turnip-like stem" that can be more than three feet thick and five feet tall. This strange plant produces its first flower after about 20 years and has a lifespan of at least 1,000 years. Proceed to the Goanikontes Oasis, wherelunch awaits you under a magnificent setting of palm and blue gum trees. After lunch, drive to the famous Namib Desert sand dunes. Experience the soft sand underfoot and learn about their shapes, plants and animal life. A short drive through Walvis Bay brings you to the lagoon and tidal flood plains where flocks of flamingoes and pelicans may be seen.