Namibia's Dunes: Ditch the Sandals
Germany's colonial legacy is still evident in Namibia today, particularly in the country's capital Windhoek and in its seaside city of Swakopmund. Yet despite the heavy European foot prints, the country remains as diverse as its landscape. Streets names such as Kaiser Wilhelm Strasse, Fidel Castro Street and Robert Mugabe Avenue hint at the complex tapestry which is the backbone of the country. Popular Namibian foods such as Mopane worms, biltong, kapana and potjiekos are reflective of the many interwoven cultures which culminate to give us the quilt of Namibia. Namibia's population is a little over two million people who are comprised from three ethnic groups and eight tribes.
There is more than enough to do in Namibia to satisfy the busybody visitor's desires. The history of the country can be readily extracted from the buildings and cultural remnants in and around the cities. Safari tours and Reserves afford a chance to see some of the most exquisite animals on the planet. Sanlam Centre, other shopping malls and craft markets provide a unique array of products which are bound to captivate the most curious eyes. And of course, for those who love watersports, the refreshing waters of the Swakopmund beaches are always welcoming. On my visit to Namibia, I did a little of most of these things, but I was there primarily because I wanted to experience the dunes.
I went straight from a day on the beach to a day in the dunes. No doubt, thoughts of how good the sand on the beach felt between my toes inspired me to push toes into my sandals as we headed off to the dunes. I was in high spirits and looking forward to that same pleasure from the sand dunes.
The drive to the dunes was comfortable and the scenery spectacular. I took it all in with bated breath, anxious to set feet on the famous dunes. I could hardly contain myself when we got to the dunes and the driver told us to get down from the van. I must have been the first one to jump down and immediately the heat from the sands struck me. I bore with it and ventured out. But a few steps towards the beautiful dunes and my sandals were filled with lava-hot sand. I looked around to beckon to the driver and ask him to take me back to the resort for a change of shoes but I was too late. He was gone and I had a decision to make.
The dunes of Namibia are the biggest sand dunes in the world. But the excitement about them is not just owing to their sizes. They are a masterpiece of art, that could only have been designed by an Almighty Creator. The sand color ranges from pink to orange or even a fiery red when the sun heats it up. They are arranged in clusters which resemble stars with extended arms.
So was I going to climb these beauties or watch them from afar?
I could either stand still and allow my feet to bake on that one spot or I could walk through the dunes and allow them to bake over each unique morsel of sand that made up this majestic piece of art. It was a no-brainer. I chose the latter and to date I am glad that I did because I have never experienced so much pain amidst such beauty. . . And just when I felt that my feet would pop open like an over-cooked potato, the temperature started to drop. It cooled down rapidly and in the space of about two hours, the sand was bearable enough that I could sit and play in it.
When the driver returned, I asked him why he hadn't warn me about the sandals. He laughed. I did not. My feet were too tender for laughter. Still, while my feet were on fire, the experience in the dunes is one of my most memorable.
So allow me to do for you what no one did for me, here is a bit of advice; on your next visit to Namibia, please engage in all this country has to offer, do the safari tours, shop in the craft markets and malls, explore the country's history, walk the sandy beaches and climb the sand dunes but take heed, ditch your sandals before you head out to the dunes.
Until next time
Venture Out. Keep exploring. Travel Smart and Stay Safe.
Find similar travel-related blogs by clicking here.
Also, don't forget to like and share this article.