Day 109 – Walvis Bay, Namibia

We are continuing to sail north along the western coast of Africa, and today, we arrived in Walvis Bay, Namibia, at noon for an overnight stay. Walvis Bay is surrounded by the high sand dunes of the Namib Desert, the world’s oldest, and we could see the dunes in the distance as we docked. Unlike Lüderitz, this area was occupied by the British in 1884, and it was eventually incorporated it into that country's Cape Colony.

We Could See the Sand Dunes of Walvis Bay from the Ship

Tim and I had planned to take the included tour today, but we rescheduled it for tomorrow when we learned about a very special event that Viking had planned for us tonight. We were invited to “an Al Fresco dinner under the stars, where the magic of the Namibian desert comes alive, filled with cultural flair, culinary delights, and mesmerizing performances.” How could we resist such an invitation!

We departed from the port at 5:00 pm “on a drive to a secret location where you will enjoy a full dinner buffet served under the Namibian star studded skies! With views of arid lunar-like landscapes amidst the vast desert plains, this is the most awe-inspiring venue nature has on offer.”

The above description was no exaggeration! The scenic drive to the desert past the massive sand dunes was lovely. When we arrived at our “secret location,” we were stunned to find tables filled with glasses of sparkling wine, a series of massive tents, and a backdrop of magnificent sand dunes. It was spectacular!

The Sand Dunes Along Our Drive Were Impressive

Our Arrival at the Secret Location

We were greeted by five elegant Herero ladies, who welcomed us to the event, while a local Marimba band serenaded us as we made our way into this magical setting.

A Welcome Greeting and a Serenade

Some of the Guests Decided to Climb the Sand Dunes before Dinner

As the sun began to set, we feasted on an incredible Braai menu, a traditional outdoor meat cooking style in South Africa. We were told that the chefs had begun cooking their wide assortment of meats at 4:00 am. I tried the springbok steak and the boerewors, a type of sausage that originated in South Africa, and both were delicious. The malva pudding with custard sauce, a traditional South African dessert, was my favorite.

Getting Ready for Dinner

The Smoky Aroma of Meat Grilled Over an Open Flame Enticed Us and Was Delicious

I was able to thank one of the caterers for putting together such a spectacular event, as well as several of the waitresses, who were so sweet.

Such Beautiful People

More than 700 Viking guests had accepted the invitation to this event, far above the number ever handled by the caterer, so Viking had sent a contingent of crew members to assist. I had fun walking around, talking with the officers and crew, and taking their photos. Like us, they were so excited to experience such a special event and seemed to be having a lot of fun.

A Few of My Favorite Officers and Crew Members, With Such Happy Smiles

After darkness set in, the firepits and luminaries cast a warm light below the star-studded sky, and it was soon time to return to the Viking Sky. As we would soon find out, however, the special evening was not over.

The Desert by Candlelight

As we walked toward the ship, we heard music, and we were soon enveloped by smiling and cheering crew members, who had come out to welcome us back. Chef Alistair was the DJ, and the crew was dancing and singing to the music. We felt like VIPs walking the red carpet, and it was another very special moment.

A Rousing Welcome Back to the Ship (Excuse the Blurry Images!)

To cap off this enchanting evening, the chef had put together “A Sweet Surprise Under the Stars” on the Pool Deck, with a decadent array of chocolate delights, fine cheeses, and hand-selected wines.

A Sweet Surprise Under the Stars

Even though I have tried, I cannot put into words how magical this evening was, from start to finish. It was so over-the-top, and every guest kept gushing about how unforgettable it had been. Once again, Viking amazed me. This World Cruise continues to be the most awesome experience ever.