Friday Destination Dreaming # 13
Namibia
I almost hesitated choosing this country as my dream getaway. My trepidation was not because this is a destination that doesn't merit exploration and isn't worthy of the long, far journey by flight, but because our obsession with celebrity means that this country will be long tied to the memory of Brangelina's offspring. This made me feel like I was falling into a trap of trendiness. Truth be told, I have wanted to visit the undulating sands of the Kalahari desert long before Shiloh's conception. Of course, the media, including last Monday's t.v. show "No Reservations" with Anthony Bourdain, have put this country at the forefront of my mind.
Namibia is largely vacant of humans, with long stretches of open uninhabited land. Other than the capital, Windhoek, a town heavily influenced by it's Germanic colonial history, and Walvis Bay, the recently incorporated fishing village, there really aren't many densely populated cities. This is a destination for those interested in wildlife and landscapes. Sossusvlei in the Namib desert is famous for having the tallest ochre sand dunes, reaching 325 meters. Fish River Canyon is reputed to be one of the largest gorges in the world, second only to the Grand Canyon. There are petrified forests and miles of chilly, desolate coastline, like the bleak Skeleton Coast, which is littered with shipwrecks. Etosha National Park has a great game reserve which attracts a variety of African animals with its' saltpans, and is home to over 20,000 springboks. With an abundance of natural attractions and a friendly populace, Namibia is rightfully this weeks pick.
One final note - it's the peak of summer there and VERY hot in some places. Somehow, that sounds strangely great. It was 25 degrees Fahrenheit in New York today, and I've got cabin fever.
I almost hesitated choosing this country as my dream getaway. My trepidation was not because this is a destination that doesn't merit exploration and isn't worthy of the long, far journey by flight, but because our obsession with celebrity means that this country will be long tied to the memory of Brangelina's offspring. This made me feel like I was falling into a trap of trendiness. Truth be told, I have wanted to visit the undulating sands of the Kalahari desert long before Shiloh's conception. Of course, the media, including last Monday's t.v. show "No Reservations" with Anthony Bourdain, have put this country at the forefront of my mind.
Namibia is largely vacant of humans, with long stretches of open uninhabited land. Other than the capital, Windhoek, a town heavily influenced by it's Germanic colonial history, and Walvis Bay, the recently incorporated fishing village, there really aren't many densely populated cities. This is a destination for those interested in wildlife and landscapes. Sossusvlei in the Namib desert is famous for having the tallest ochre sand dunes, reaching 325 meters. Fish River Canyon is reputed to be one of the largest gorges in the world, second only to the Grand Canyon. There are petrified forests and miles of chilly, desolate coastline, like the bleak Skeleton Coast, which is littered with shipwrecks. Etosha National Park has a great game reserve which attracts a variety of African animals with its' saltpans, and is home to over 20,000 springboks. With an abundance of natural attractions and a friendly populace, Namibia is rightfully this weeks pick.
One final note - it's the peak of summer there and VERY hot in some places. Somehow, that sounds strangely great. It was 25 degrees Fahrenheit in New York today, and I've got cabin fever.
posted by mrsgreen at 6:50 PM
1 Comments:
Minus the heat, I can see your dad sitting in front of his easel soaking up and translating the beauty onto a canvas.
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