International cricket match referee, Devdas Govindjee shares his Namibian travel experience with all the blog readers. Dev was recently in Namibia for two one day international cricket matches. I was joking with Dev, that he has in fact become a travel correspondent for this blog.I am so blessed to be acquainted with such a wonderful human being who loves to impart and share his knowledge and experiences with the rest of the world.
WINDHOEK - Namibia
When the call of the captain comes over the intercom system that passengers on flight SA74 from Johannesburg should prepare for landing then my first thoughts were to wonder about where exactly he was hoping to land because all I could see outside was endless tracks of land with not much else in sight except for shrubs which seemed to be enveloped in a bluish haze and dotted over the landscape were also bright green trees contrasting against the meandering sandy pathways where water once presumably flowed.
Out of this nothingness there then appears the runway and the not too attractive buildings of the Hosea Kutako International airport which is situated 42 kms outside the city.
The drive from the airport to the city is the first sign that this is a place ideal for a holiday- hardly any traffic on the road and this is the same upon getting into Windhoek itself- hugging the west coast of Southern Africa - hence the former name of South West Africa(SWA), Namibia is so very "un-African" in many ways.
It soon becomes clear that Windhoek has to be one of the cleanest and most secure capitals on the African continent - visitors will get to enjoy the diversity of it's inhabitants and the sheer spaciousness of the country.
Close historical ties with neighbouring South Africa are still very evident in the fact that Afrikaans is a language very much in use by the citizens . With the period of German colonial rule also to be factored in (when the country was called German West Africa) there are many tangible links with it's European past and this makes the country and Windhoek in particular a very cosmopolitan city by any standards.This is a place where many cultures meet and where fine historical buildings contrast quite comfortably with the modern city skyline.
Windhoek is set in central Namibia and has some captivating rolling hills all around it. Boasting a first world infrastructure visitors can enjoy a varied experience offering excellent restaurants which serve African or European cuisine, arts and crafts to satisfy anyone looking out for gifts to take back home, bars, nightclubs, casinos, as well as city and township tours which will give the visitor a taste of this African gem.
Windhoek itself has a quiet efficient aura about all it's activities. From free flowing traffic to friendly locals there is a safe welcoming presence about every facet of life here. From the city centre one merely has to walk to visit places such as the stunnning Christus Kirche (Church) which was officially consecrated in 1910 and is the oldest Evangelical Lutheran church in Namibia.
The fascinating Gibeon meteorites which are estimated to be 600 million years old are extra terrestrial and are mounted on steel columns near a shopping mall. They were collected by a geologist between 1911 and 1913.
The state museum is now housed in the Alta Feste which is one of the oldest buildings in Windhoek with it's corner stone laid in 1890.
Windhoek and Namibia offers much to the tourist - a visit to the coast is on the agenda as places such as Walvis Bay and Swakopmund have there own unique attractions.
With 300 days of sunshine Windhoek will give you an opportunity of a wonderful getaway and traditional African crafts not to mention the lure of gems and diamonds will bring you back again to explore more of this expansive country.
So if Africa is on your agenda then make sure Namibia features somewhere at the top of your bucket list.
Traditional art and crafts as well as gem stones and diamonds always associated with the lovely capital city of Windhoek. — in Windhoek, Namibia.
Tourists could never leave Namibia without taking with them some or other item made or crafted by the indigenous population.
Because of it's colonial past and links with the Germans- there will be a constant flow of tourists from that country still coming to Namibia and restaurants such as Gathemann cater for there tastes.
This clock tower is a good meeting point in town but note also the SWA ( South West Africa) links in the sign. That was a former name during South African period of care-taker rule with Gernman West Africa also used during the colonial period.
Quiet organised trading characterises Windhoek as tourists seek to buy "local". There are no haggling sellers such as to be found in many other countries.
Not sure why they give out such big Steak Knives when all I ordered was a lovely Veg Pizza? Andy's a lovely little pub and grub in the mall.
Not that far from the Kalahari desert but when Spring is in the air out come all the beauty of nature and the Jacaranda lilac dominates this scene in the centre of town.
The 9th and top floor of the Hilton is popular and a must in the hot weather- the Business lounge, the narrow long pool, the Skylight Bar, the Breeze Health Studio and the Gym to be found here.
From the pool area of the Hilton one can see some of the attractions of Windhoek- the Christus Kirche, the Courts and also the Independence Monument with it's architecture not in keeping with the rest of the city! Suppose that's what happens when a foreign eastern power offers you something for nothing!
Fascinating- the Gibeon Meteorites- 600 million years old they are mounted on steel columns in Post Street near the Mall. 37 of these fragments were collected from 1911-1913 by a geologist- they are extraterrestrial and the weight ranged from 195-506 kgs.
The lovely Hilton Hotel as seen at night- situated right in the hear of the city.
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