Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia, occupies a wide valley between the bush-covered hills of the Central Highlands. Our first stop in the historic area of Windhoek is the Independence Memorial Museum, honoring the anti-colonial resistance and national liberation struggle of Namibia. Built interestingly in March 2014 by a North Korea firm (Mansudae Overseas Projects), it is located on Robert Mugabe Avenue (in honor of a time when he actually did something good for the common people instead of slaughtering them). Talk about irony!
The Museum if is flanked by 2 statues - the one at the main entrance honoring Sam Nujoma and on the other side the Genocide Statue (Also built by Mansudae from North Korea).
The Sam Nujoma statue shows him holding a copy of the Constituency Book (The Constitution of Namibia).
The Genocide Statue, just south of the Nujoma Memorial, depicts the "untold hardships and suffering" inflicted by the Schutztruppe (the German empire colonial troops from 1904-07).
The Memorial Museum consists of 5 stories in a triangular glassed structure. It encompasses a chronological history of the "Colonial Oppression" (1st floor); "Liberation" (2nd floor); and "Road to Independence" (3rd floor). The 4th floor is the NIMS restaurant with a spectacular panoramic view of the city. Only problem is if you want to take photos from this incredible location it will cost you $150 Namibian dollars ($11.50 US).
This sculpture was so very expressive and powerful.
Just across the street from the Sam Nujoma statue is Christ Church (Christuskirche), a historic landmark Lutheran Church designed by Gottlieb Redecker from August 1907 - October 1910, following the wars between the Germans and the Khoikhoi, Herero and Owambo.
The Church is constructed of quartz sandstone from Avis Dam, Carrara marble from Italy and the clock and roof came from Germany. Its 3 architectural styles - Neo Romanesque, Art Nouveau and Gothic revival make it look like a giant gingerbread house.
The colorful stained glass lead windows were installed with the wrong side facing in until a tourist in the late 1990s pointed it out, so they were correctly reinstalled the other way 2 year later.
Window bars were added in 1960 after the clapper of the main bell loosened, smashed through a window and landed on the street.
The Church is constructed of quartz sandstone from Avis Dam, Carrara marble from Italy and the clock and roof came from Germany. Its 3 architectural styles - Neo Romanesque, Art Nouveau and Gothic revival make it look like a giant gingerbread house.
The colorful stained glass lead windows were installed with the wrong side facing in until a tourist in the late 1990s pointed it out, so they were correctly reinstalled the other way 2 year later.
Window bars were added in 1960 after the clapper of the main bell loosened, smashed through a window and landed on the street.
Christ Church
Our next stop was Katutura (Herero for "we have no permanent place"), one of Windhoek's vibrant black townships. We enjoyed walking through their weekend market sampling local food and drinks (including worms - their main source of protein since meat is too expensive).
Clockwise from upper left: belly up to the grill for delicious beef pulled with quick fingers from the grill, dipped in coarse salt, BBQ sauce and dried red peppers - EXCELLENT! Colleen samples some beef; Lloyd, our tour guide, purchases some worms for us to eat for lunch (crunchy, not bad, but DO NOT taste like chicken);
slaughtered cattle head and legs busily gathering flies
(time to consider being vegetarian);
and bulk goods everywhere - beans, worms (2 baskets on the right);
and coarse salt (one of the major industries in Namibia).
We headed back to our hotel after a shebeen (traditional lunch) with the locals where I added another local beer to my "been there, drank that" list. This was Windhoek Draught - very nice and perfect with this meal.
I apologize for the blurry photo. It was getting dark
and a downpour was just starting to gather steam
so I just clicked and ran inside to protect my camera from the elements.
The main entrance to Joe's.
Look away from my choice of entree and try not to see all the fried calamari, onion rings and french fries (to say nothing of the creamy dipping sauce of spicy aoli).
(Not pictured: local Hansa beer and local Tafel beer)
Hey, I'm on vacation!
Back to the Hotel Thule to lay in bed and listen to the fat crinkle...
Our next stop was Katutura (Herero for "we have no permanent place"), one of Windhoek's vibrant black townships. We enjoyed walking through their weekend market sampling local food and drinks (including worms - their main source of protein since meat is too expensive).
slaughtered cattle head and legs busily gathering flies
(time to consider being vegetarian);
and bulk goods everywhere - beans, worms (2 baskets on the right);
and coarse salt (one of the major industries in Namibia).
We headed back to our hotel after a shebeen (traditional lunch) with the locals where I added another local beer to my "been there, drank that" list. This was Windhoek Draught - very nice and perfect with this meal.
We enjoyed a nice chunk of free time before heading out to Joe's Beerhouse - one of two highly rated Windhoek restaurants according to not only Trip Advisor but the locals as well. I was so glad we went because I really wanted to try it, and since it was not particularly safe to walk from our hotel to Joe's, Lloyd made a reservation for those who wanted to go there (everyone supported my suggestion) or to the other very good, more upscale Kubata restaurant.
and a downpour was just starting to gather steam
so I just clicked and ran inside to protect my camera from the elements.
(Not pictured: local Hansa beer and local Tafel beer)
Hey, I'm on vacation!
Back to the Hotel Thule to lay in bed and listen to the fat crinkle...
Tomorrow we fly to the outstanding Sossusvlei sand dunes and Namib Desert. Will be doing some serious hiking in the sand, trying to shed the weight gain from today. We will have the option of sleeping out on the rooftop of our lodge under an incredible starlit sky. So of course you know I will be doing that:)
BTW, we are about to enter the zone of no internet. Will continue the blog when there is a connection.
BTW, we are about to enter the zone of no internet. Will continue the blog when there is a connection.
