We have arrived in Wavis Bay (or Whale Bay) Namibia, just in front of another cruise ship.

We have arranged a trip ashore and need to be at immigration with pre completed forms and passports at 8am. To avoid any crushes in the restaurant when it opens at 7am, we have decided to try continental breakfast in the cabin and left the appropriate lable on the door handle.

We proceeded through emigration, which was much better organised than expected and boarded a mini bus. We were taken 30 kilometres first to the town of Swakopmund which was a Colonial town developed by the Germans in the 1890’s. After a drive to see some of the key buildings in the town, we went on to the local township, Mondosa, to learn about the people, food, and culture.

Sue did eat local dried caterpillar (3) spinach and porridge, which she says was okay. The locals  have no fridges or, in fact, any electricity, so all food is either dried or fresh.  While some of the houses were modern with toilets and showers, the vast majority were ramshackled and made of scraps of wood and metal.

Very soon, we were surrounded by children as it was a public holiday. The children were all ages, very friendly, and they weren’t begging either.

There are three local tribes with their own cultures, and we were introduced to each of them because although they are integrated, they still live in different areas of the township.

Before heading back to the ship, we were entertained by a group of singers who were very good performers.

As our tour was only a half day experience, we were soon back on the ship and ready for lunch. The caterpillars, spinach, and porridge had not been enough.

We arrived back at the ship, and I attended a Zoom board meeting before sitting on deck for a late lunch.

The evening started in the Lion bar, listening to a new duo and talking to an interesting professor of percussion. On our way to the bar, Sue stopped at the Persers office to enquire about a missing earing. Someone had found it and handed it in, obviously recognising something not worth keeping.

After the evening meal we went to see an excellent comedian.