luderitz and kolmanskop

luderitz camp site, in extreme windy conditions




kolmanskop









the luderitz peninsula









flamingos on one of the peninsula beaches ------------- B.Diaz cross. quite a gallavanter he was!

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it is always lovely coming back to the seaside. i would like to say that the wind isn't an issue but unfortunately it is, especially when you battle to walk against it. perhaps the only up-side to it, was its "cooling factor"...and that is an exaggeration!
as per usual, we put up the sturdiest tent (thanks to the moss'), blew up the comfiest blow-up mattress (thanks to thomas), slept in the warmest sleeping bags (thanks to jacus and mariette) and sat in the comfiest chairs (thanks to the wulffs). everything was ideal until the wind picked up (see video).
kolmanskop was a site to behold. it was established around 1908 during the diamond rush and had over 1000 diamonds collected before world war 2. it is an entirely deserted town and has been left to the ruin of sand and nature's forces. we arrived late for the tour (which happens especially when on holiday) and proceded to find a group to latch onto. the first group located at the museum was german which didn't help, the second located on the opposite side of the site, in the bowling alley, were afrikaans. initially, i thought i could wing it and catch a word or two but was smartly put into my place as i understood nada, niks, nothing! the guide then had to change to english which didn't make the 15 oumas and oupas too pleased. seb just shot them a smile and that was that. water under the bridge.
it is strange to see that not much has changed since i was there last, some 15 years ago. maybe they remove some of the sand annually?