SWAKOPMUND, THE
WELWITSCHIA
& THE SKELETON COAST
The Skeleton coast,
Namibia, & the Welwitschia plant, are probably the best known
features
of Namibia after the Namib desert, with Swakopmund as base.
The title, Skeleton
Coast, applied
to the coast of any country, conjures
up
images of pirates and buccaneers - understandably so. However, if
coupled with,
Namibia,
it sends most people in search of a world map!
Strange how a
"reputation" can foreshadow knowledge of a given country. The name,
Namibia,
still rings no bells for many people, but mention Skeleton Coast, Namib desert or
Welwitschia,
and everyone's
either "heard-", read- or viewed a documentary on one, or all of
these. Why??
Because the
extraordinary uniqueness of all of these, not only commands attention, but
arouses
the inherent curiosity of all with whom it makes contact - in whichever way the
contact occurs.
Many places in the world lays claim to be unique - it's a relative concept -
then what makes the
Skeleton coast and the Welwitschia different? What Africa is known for -
Mystery and magic!
Just think about it for a second, we are so used to EVERYTHING having a
beginning and an
end - and that in a relatively short space of time. No wonder we find it
difficult to believe that
a single plant specimen - not a plant species - could have entered its own third
Millennium,
while we merely celebrated the "change into a new Millennium", and
NO-ONE was alive during
the previous Millennium change! Now that to us, is magic - not so for the Welwitschia
mirabilis.
The Skeleton coast is no less awe-inspiring than the Welwitschia, foreboding,
bleak & desolate,
yet home to numerous Welwitschia specimens. Even harder to believe that
such a harsh - and
seemingly unforgiving landscape - could be home to anything at all, let alone be
one of the most
"delicate" eco-systems in the world. Experiencing the beauty and
serene tranquillity of this silent
vastness, a menacing and fear-invoking name like Skeleton coast, seems totally
uncalled for. Do
not be deceived, none of the ship wrecks scattering the coastline of Namibia,
chose to be there!
The photographs on this
page were chosen to present a general overview of the entire Skeleton
coast, and are therefore not all directly relevant to the safaris in the Seven
Wonders of Namibia
collection,
that have the Skeleton coast and Welwitschia included in their itineraries.
Click on the thumbnails to view a slightly larger picture.
(You
may return here by clicking on the 
button in the
right-hand, top corner of the photo page).
Eternal battle
- Two of so many wrecks that
gave Death and destruction on one
side, life
sea and sand this coast the name, Skeleton
coast abundant on the other - Cape fur
seals
Probably one of the greatest wonders
of The smaller
things, Woermann house
Nature - the Welwitschia mirabilis
tree
Lichen in profusion in
Swakopmund
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