Fascinating Namibia

German Colonization
Regarding your comments on ex-German Colonies and there being not too many of them etc.. I think the main reason you will not find too many ex-German Colonies is not Germany's historical disinterest -- they were as interested and eager as any other -- the reason is that they lost the first two world wars. Pre WW-I maps will show that the Germans had pretty much taken up substantial portions of Africa (along with the Belgians, French and Dutch) and left the British out of the picture. The Brits I guess were more focused on their Mid-East and Asian Colonies. After loosing WW-I they had to give up most of their prized African Colonies to the victors of the war (East Africa went to the British), Namibia went to S. Africa , etc.... I guess loosing World War -- II did not help either, but by that time colonization was flagging anyway and any colonies they may have had ended up being protectorates of UN or the allies (UK, USA). So that explains the curious lack of ex-German Colonies as well as the fact that German is not spoken in Namibia. After WW-I, the widely spoken German in Nambia was replaced by English, Dutch and Afrikaans -- languages of the S. Africans. Afrikaans and Dutch was dropped due to the connotations with Apartheid and the hated S. African regime and English became Lingua Franca of Namibia. Same is true of E. Africa, where German was replaced by English after the WW-I. HTH

Fabulous pictures. Particularly those of Namib desert. Saha, you dont seem to have stayed in hotels in smaller Indian cities, where cold chai, insects in the room, damp and stained sheets, damp walls, etc are par for the course.

Kuiseb Delta Adventures
I just went on a historical dune tour with Fanie while I was in Namibia and I completely agree with you that he is fantastic. I wrote a bit about it on my food blog: www.beyondrecipes.blogspot.com. Are you from India? My father is from India. I wish I had more time to travel around Namibia; it really looks like you got to see a lot! I unfortunately only got to explore the area around Swakopmund.

Your blog title sums it up!
Really enjoyed your account of your travels in Namibia. I am planning to go there April 2008, so it has whetted my appetite even more. Thanks for sharing your fascinating experiences with us! Mike...UK.