PR Executive Veronice Abuede fell in love with Namibia and details the things that stole her heart away!
If you have never travelled out of whichever Country you are reading this from or if you have but have never been to Namibia, fasten your seat belt as the gist-flight is about to take off.....
''Namibia, You Stole My Heart
Let me tey Little Discoveries From A Beautiful Country
Come with me as I gist you about Namibia, a country that surprised me, fascinated me, and honestly stole a piece of my heart.
My journey to Namibia started even before I touched down.
From Lagos to Addis Ababa, and then from Addis Ababa to Namibia, I happened to be on the same flights as Nollywood actress Teniola Aladese. Of course, I had to take pictures! It was such a lovely experience. She was warm, pleasant and it was just one of those unexpected little highlights that made the journey even more memorable.
Then we arrived in Namibia.
The first thing that struck me as we were landing was the sheer size of the country and how sparsely populated it is.
Looking down from the plane, you don't see endless clusters of houses. You see land. You see space. You see how vast this country truly is.
And then you remember this amazing fact: Namibia has a population of just over 3 million people, yet its landmass is almost the same size as Nigeria's.
Imagine having that much land and so few people! The amount of untouched space is incredible.
As we started our journey from Windhoek, the capital city, to Swakopmund, I couldn't stop observing the landscape.
One thing you cannot miss is the endless curtain of hills. Everywhere you look, there are hills stretching into the distance. It almost feels like the country is surrounded by a natural wall of hills. It is only as you travel farther north that the landscape begins to open up into flatter areas.
Speaking of Windhoek, I had an interesting discovery. The capital is spelled Windhoek but pronounced Vin-hook. Before coming, I definitely would have pronounced it differently.
Namibia's history is also fascinating. The country was formerly known as South West Africa before gaining independence and adopting the name Namibia in 1990. It was also once colonised by Germany, and that German influence is still visible today in the architecture, names, streets and even some aspects of the culture.
One of my favourite facts about Namibia is that it is home to the Namib Desert, one of the oldest deserts in the world. Scientists estimate that the desert has existed for at least 55 million years.
Just imagine standing somewhere that has been there for millions of years before humans walked the earth. Amazing!
And then came Swakopmund.
Ah, Swakopmund.
This city is something special.
It is a beautiful coastal town sitting along the Atlantic Ocean, and from the moment I arrived, I understood why people speak so highly about it.
The beachfront is simply beautiful.
There are different points where you can sit, relax and take in the view. Children play freely at the playgrounds. People take walks. Families spend time together. Photographers are everywhere, waiting to capture beautiful moments.
Of course, I had to take pictures too!
I captured the sunset. I sat on a bench close to the beachfront. I watched people enjoying the environment. And I remember thinking, “Wow, this place is beautiful.”
The interesting thing is that there were moments when Swakopmund did not feel like Africa to me.
It felt like Europe.
The beautiful houses. The preserved colonial architecture. The neat streets. The atmosphere.
Someone described it as “New Frankfurt in Africa,” and honestly, I understood exactly what they meant.
The city has a strong European influence, especially German influence, and with the number of foreigners living there, particularly people from Germany, Belgium, Holland and other parts of Europe, you sometimes feel like you are walking through a European city.
I visited a restaurant called The Wreck, and that experience was unforgettable.
The restaurant is designed around the idea of a shipwreck from colonial times. Walking into it felt like I was boarding a ship. The creativity of the design was beautiful.
And the location? Perfect.
It is just a short walk from the beachfront. Standing there at night, hearing the waves of the Atlantic Ocean nearby, I kept thinking that if it wasn't dark and cold, I would have stayed there for a very long time just enjoying the view.
Speaking of cold...
Namibia introduced me to something Nigeria rarely gives us: proper winter!
I experienced 11-degree weather.
At one point, I stepped outside and saw 2 degrees on the temperature reading. Of course, I took a picture because I needed evidence!
Coming from Nigeria, where we complain about heat, experiencing that kind of cold was a completely new adventure.
Some mornings were very foggy in Swakopmund. The visibility was poor because of the coastal fog and cold weather. But when the sun finally came out on Thursday, July 16, it felt like a celebration.
Everyone wanted to be outside.
We wanted to feel the warmth of the sun on our skin.
It was such a simple thing, but it felt so good.
I stayed at MTC The Dome, and one thing I loved about Swakopmund was how easy it was to move around. I could walk around town, visit shops, explore little corners and just enjoy the environment.
One major culture shock for me was closing time
The mall. The shops. Everything closes around 7 p.m.
Coming from Nigeria, where you can still find food at 2 a.m. and life continues almost round the clock, this was a serious adjustment.
I kept thinking, “Wait... everybody is actually going home?”
But I also loved the calmness. The slower pace. The feeling that life does not always have to be rushed.
I visited some art and craft shops and had one of my most beautiful interactions there.
When some vendors discovered I was Nigerian, they became so excited.
Some started singing popular Nigerian songs. Some mentioned Nigerian musicians they knew.
The woman I eventually bought something from was especially happy. She told me I was the first Nigerian she had interacted with personally.
She was fascinated by our accents, our slangs, our laughter, our energy, our way of bargaining and the way Nigerians bring life into conversations.
She said she was used to seeing some of these things on television, but now she was experiencing it in real life.
And honestly, I was equally fascinated meeting her.
Because sometimes, travel is not just about seeing places. It is about discovering people.
I also learned some beautiful things about Namibian culture.
Namibians are not big on celebrity culture. Their celebrities are treated like regular people. They can walk around freely, and nobody is chasing them or making a big fuss.
As Nigerians would say, “dem no send you.”
But there is one thing you should never joke about in Namibia: their mothers.
I learned that Namibians have deep love, respect and protection for their mothers.
Ali shared something that stayed with me. He said that if a Namibian man wants to be pushed from zero to one hundred, insult his mother.
That is how much they value their mothers.
The respect for women generally is something I noticed and admired.
And speaking of women...
If there is one thing I absolutely love about Namibia, it is seeing women in leadership.
The President. The Vice President. The Speaker. Ministers. CEOs. Board Chairpersons.
Women are visible at different levels of leadership.
It is inspiring.
To me, it is a reminder of the importance of educating and empowering girls. When women are given opportunities, they can contribute meaningfully to building nations.
Namibia is showing what representation can look like.
Another beautiful thing I learned is their commitment to national identity.
Every school in Namibia sings their national anthem, but they also sing the African Union anthem alongside it.
That really touched me.
As someone who works with APRA, I already knew the AU anthem, but knowing that children across Namibia grow up singing both their national anthem and the African Union anthem is something I found beautiful.
Their national anthem itself is such a powerful song. The lyrics tell a story of struggle, resilience and how far the country has come.
It is beautifully composed and deeply meaningful.
I also picked up a few local words.
In Oshiwambo, “thank you” is Tangi, and “thank you very much” is Tangi unene.
In Afrikaans, which is widely spoken in Swakopmund, “thank you” is Dankie.
Small words, but they made me feel a little more connected to the people.
I also learned about some social initiatives in Namibia that really touched me, especially efforts to protect vulnerable newborn babies and support mothers who may not be able to care for their children.
It reminded me that leadership is not only about holding positions. It is also about creating systems that protect people.
Namibia, I came for a conference.
I expected meetings, learning, networking and professional connections.
I did not expect to fall in love with your landscapes.
I did not expect to fall in love with your culture.
I did not expect to fall in love with your people.
But somewhere between the cold mornings, the Atlantic waves, the beautiful streets of Swakopmund, the laughter of new friends, conversations with strangers and the feeling of discovering something new...
Namibia found its way into my heart.
And maybe, just maybe, this beautiful country gave me more than memories.
Maybe I found a little piece of love here too.
Namibia, thank you for welcoming me.
I will definitely be back''.
Let me tey Little Discoveries From A Beautiful Country
Come with me as I gist you about Namibia, a country that surprised me, fascinated me, and honestly stole a piece of my heart.
My journey to Namibia started even before I touched down.
From Lagos to Addis Ababa, and then from Addis Ababa to Namibia, I happened to be on the same flights as Nollywood actress Teniola Aladese. Of course, I had to take pictures! It was such a lovely experience. She was warm, pleasant and it was just one of those unexpected little highlights that made the journey even more memorable.
Then we arrived in Namibia.
The first thing that struck me as we were landing was the sheer size of the country and how sparsely populated it is.
Looking down from the plane, you don't see endless clusters of houses. You see land. You see space. You see how vast this country truly is.
And then you remember this amazing fact: Namibia has a population of just over 3 million people, yet its landmass is almost the same size as Nigeria's.
Imagine having that much land and so few people! The amount of untouched space is incredible.
As we started our journey from Windhoek, the capital city, to Swakopmund, I couldn't stop observing the landscape.
One thing you cannot miss is the endless curtain of hills. Everywhere you look, there are hills stretching into the distance. It almost feels like the country is surrounded by a natural wall of hills. It is only as you travel farther north that the landscape begins to open up into flatter areas.
Speaking of Windhoek, I had an interesting discovery. The capital is spelled Windhoek but pronounced Vin-hook. Before coming, I definitely would have pronounced it differently.
Namibia's history is also fascinating. The country was formerly known as South West Africa before gaining independence and adopting the name Namibia in 1990. It was also once colonised by Germany, and that German influence is still visible today in the architecture, names, streets and even some aspects of the culture.
One of my favourite facts about Namibia is that it is home to the Namib Desert, one of the oldest deserts in the world. Scientists estimate that the desert has existed for at least 55 million years.
Just imagine standing somewhere that has been there for millions of years before humans walked the earth. Amazing!
And then came Swakopmund.
Ah, Swakopmund.
This city is something special.
It is a beautiful coastal town sitting along the Atlantic Ocean, and from the moment I arrived, I understood why people speak so highly about it.
The beachfront is simply beautiful.
There are different points where you can sit, relax and take in the view. Children play freely at the playgrounds. People take walks. Families spend time together. Photographers are everywhere, waiting to capture beautiful moments.
Of course, I had to take pictures too!
I captured the sunset. I sat on a bench close to the beachfront. I watched people enjoying the environment. And I remember thinking, “Wow, this place is beautiful.”
The interesting thing is that there were moments when Swakopmund did not feel like Africa to me.
It felt like Europe.
The beautiful houses. The preserved colonial architecture. The neat streets. The atmosphere.
Someone described it as “New Frankfurt in Africa,” and honestly, I understood exactly what they meant.
The city has a strong European influence, especially German influence, and with the number of foreigners living there, particularly people from Germany, Belgium, Holland and other parts of Europe, you sometimes feel like you are walking through a European city.
I visited a restaurant called The Wreck, and that experience was unforgettable.
The restaurant is designed around the idea of a shipwreck from colonial times. Walking into it felt like I was boarding a ship. The creativity of the design was beautiful.
And the location? Perfect.
It is just a short walk from the beachfront. Standing there at night, hearing the waves of the Atlantic Ocean nearby, I kept thinking that if it wasn't dark and cold, I would have stayed there for a very long time just enjoying the view.
Speaking of cold...
Namibia introduced me to something Nigeria rarely gives us: proper winter!
I experienced 11-degree weather.
At one point, I stepped outside and saw 2 degrees on the temperature reading. Of course, I took a picture because I needed evidence!
Coming from Nigeria, where we complain about heat, experiencing that kind of cold was a completely new adventure.
Some mornings were very foggy in Swakopmund. The visibility was poor because of the coastal fog and cold weather. But when the sun finally came out on Thursday, July 16, it felt like a celebration.
Everyone wanted to be outside.
We wanted to feel the warmth of the sun on our skin.
It was such a simple thing, but it felt so good.
I stayed at MTC The Dome, and one thing I loved about Swakopmund was how easy it was to move around. I could walk around town, visit shops, explore little corners and just enjoy the environment.
One major culture shock for me was closing time
The mall. The shops. Everything closes around 7 p.m.
Coming from Nigeria, where you can still find food at 2 a.m. and life continues almost round the clock, this was a serious adjustment.
I kept thinking, “Wait... everybody is actually going home?”
But I also loved the calmness. The slower pace. The feeling that life does not always have to be rushed.
I visited some art and craft shops and had one of my most beautiful interactions there.
When some vendors discovered I was Nigerian, they became so excited.
Some started singing popular Nigerian songs. Some mentioned Nigerian musicians they knew.
The woman I eventually bought something from was especially happy. She told me I was the first Nigerian she had interacted with personally.
She was fascinated by our accents, our slangs, our laughter, our energy, our way of bargaining and the way Nigerians bring life into conversations.
She said she was used to seeing some of these things on television, but now she was experiencing it in real life.
And honestly, I was equally fascinated meeting her.
Because sometimes, travel is not just about seeing places. It is about discovering people.
I also learned some beautiful things about Namibian culture.
Namibians are not big on celebrity culture. Their celebrities are treated like regular people. They can walk around freely, and nobody is chasing them or making a big fuss.
As Nigerians would say, “dem no send you.”
But there is one thing you should never joke about in Namibia: their mothers.
I learned that Namibians have deep love, respect and protection for their mothers.
Ali shared something that stayed with me. He said that if a Namibian man wants to be pushed from zero to one hundred, insult his mother.
That is how much they value their mothers.
The respect for women generally is something I noticed and admired.
And speaking of women...
If there is one thing I absolutely love about Namibia, it is seeing women in leadership.
The President. The Vice President. The Speaker. Ministers. CEOs. Board Chairpersons.
Women are visible at different levels of leadership.
It is inspiring.
To me, it is a reminder of the importance of educating and empowering girls. When women are given opportunities, they can contribute meaningfully to building nations.
Namibia is showing what representation can look like.
Another beautiful thing I learned is their commitment to national identity.
Every school in Namibia sings their national anthem, but they also sing the African Union anthem alongside it.
That really touched me.
As someone who works with APRA, I already knew the AU anthem, but knowing that children across Namibia grow up singing both their national anthem and the African Union anthem is something I found beautiful.
Their national anthem itself is such a powerful song. The lyrics tell a story of struggle, resilience and how far the country has come.
It is beautifully composed and deeply meaningful.
I also picked up a few local words.
In Oshiwambo, “thank you” is Tangi, and “thank you very much” is Tangi unene.
In Afrikaans, which is widely spoken in Swakopmund, “thank you” is Dankie.
Small words, but they made me feel a little more connected to the people.
I also learned about some social initiatives in Namibia that really touched me, especially efforts to protect vulnerable newborn babies and support mothers who may not be able to care for their children.
It reminded me that leadership is not only about holding positions. It is also about creating systems that protect people.
Namibia, I came for a conference.
I expected meetings, learning, networking and professional connections.
I did not expect to fall in love with your landscapes.
I did not expect to fall in love with your culture.
I did not expect to fall in love with your people.
But somewhere between the cold mornings, the Atlantic waves, the beautiful streets of Swakopmund, the laughter of new friends, conversations with strangers and the feeling of discovering something new...
Namibia found its way into my heart.
And maybe, just maybe, this beautiful country gave me more than memories.
Maybe I found a little piece of love here too.
Namibia, thank you for welcoming me.
I will definitely be back''.
Awww π€ thank you for sharing your experience with us.
ReplyDeleteYou're such a beautiful woman with a captivating smile ♥️
Dankie. π₯°
DeleteI’m grateful that I was given the opportunity to share it as well.
The African continent is such a vast canvas of beauty. Everywhere you turn, there is a story, a culture, and a unique beauty waiting to be discovered. So much of it would remain unseen if we do not take the time to explore and appreciate it.
My immense gratitude to SDK for creating this opportunity and allowing me to share this experience with you all. I look forward to sharing and doing more.
And thank you for the kind compliment too. π₯°
Nice one...
ReplyDeleteThank you ππ
DeleteWell done BV Veronica, travelling is another form of education.
ReplyDeleteIndeed my sister, it is! π
DeleteNow that's some damn fine writing. Chef's Kiss!
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is, "awwwwnnn" ππ₯°
DeleteVee with the beautiful smiles.
ReplyDeleteNamibia is wonderful and a beautiful country.
DOZZYBEST.
Onwa, you have summarised it so well π
DeleteYou go school OP. You used your words to paint us a vivid picture of a beautiful country. Thank you
ReplyDeleteAwwwwnnn π thanks for the compliment. That was the whole idea: sharing the experience THROUGH MY EYES. π I'm glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteThank you for letting us to know namibia.
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome, Sis π
DeleteSo detailed! Well done!
ReplyDeleteYou're so beautiful too π
Who dey cut onions abeg π₯Ίπ₯Ίπ₯Ί Thanks Sisssπ
DeleteBeautiful write up. Well done Bv Veronica.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sis. Much appreciated.
DeleteStella no be small fish at all
ReplyDeleteKisses to you aunty veeπππ
Call her crown
Sending kisses right back at ya πππ
DeleteNa Stella be the REAL eja nla ππ₯°
I’ve always wanted to visit this country, it’s definitely on my bucket list. I think this is the country where the desert and sea meets. I love places with small populations but Namibia seems a place where you can truly enjoy nature and just breathe . What a dream. I’m so happy that you got to experience this wonderful place. You’re a great travel writer.
ReplyDeleteYou painted such a wonderful scenery of the country. One question, is it an affordable travel destination?
Thanks for the compliment π and yes, you're spot on, it is the place where the desert meets the ocean. The aerial view of that sight is one you cannot forget in a long while!!! It's worth experiencing.
DeleteAnd you're right about the country, it's very peaceful, very safe and worth visiting.
And to answer your question, it's definitely affordable to travel to. The major thing that deters people from travelling across Africa would have to be the tickets costs and the visa cost. Visa to Namibia for a Nigerian can be obtained online via their immigration website and it goes for about 65-70 USD. Approval takes less than 72hrs. In my case, I got a letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs & Immigration which allowed me travel with the visa, and I only got the visa on arrival in Windhoek. I paid about 1200 Namibian Dollar for the visa which was about 80-85USD.
As a Nigerian, you can either travel via Ethiopia or via South Africa.
Once the visa and tickets are sorted, you're good-to-go.
Hope this helps. π
I have an English friend who relocated to Namibia with his wife, Thank you for sharing your experience with us, now I believe him.
ReplyDeleteI met some Nigerians (Igbos and an Akwa Ibomite) there. It's a decent country to live in.
DeleteThank you BV Ron for this beautiful write up, you should write often. You created a vivid picture of what it's like to be in Namibia.
ReplyDeleteYour experience has given me the courage I need to visit. I have been skeptical about visiting Namibia because of the war in 2004 and also the xenophobic attacks in south Africa, most Africans don't really like Nigerians but sharing your experience has shown they are wonderful and welcoming in Namibia.
You're so pretty.
awwwwwnnnn.....now I'm starting to believe everyone cannot be wrong by suggesting I consider travel writing because what's all these beautiful comments I'm reading (blushing!!!!)
DeleteAbout people not liking Nigerians, please be rest assured that Namibians are NOT like that and I tell you this from my personal experience. The country is as safe as can be for Nigerians. They might be from the southern region, but their people are nothing like that country you mentioned.
Thank you for this lovely experience you have shared with us π Let me put Namibia in my bucket list π
ReplyDelete...as you should!!!! hehehehehe.
DeleteThanks Sis.
Beautiful lady π₯° π₯° π₯°
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your piece.
I'm glad you did! (smiles)
DeleteTheir women are so beautiful too
ReplyDeleteDelish and Lucille from BBA were so beautiful
I just realized I left out one very important part...OMG! Namibian women are IT!!!!!! π
DeleteBeautiful, well-endowed, and incredibly well-mannered too!
I've got DPN on my face, and I'll admit, it sometimes makes me feel a little self-conscious. I'd actually been considering getting them removed through a laser procedure later this year.
But not anymore.
Because tell me why I met so many Namibian women rocking their DPN so confidently & beautifully, like it was part of their beauty routine! There was something so refreshing about seeing women embrace what society often tells us to hide.
And don't even get me started on the weather!
I was told it snowed in Windhoek just a couple of weeks before I arrived. Ah! What wouldn't I have given to experience snowfall on African soil? That would've been one memory for the books.:-)
One of my next holiday destinations for sure! Thank you for this lovely piece!
ReplyDeleteMake sure to visit Swakopmund when you go there! You'll surely love it!!!! :-))))
DeleteWell written. You write so well that you can draw a picture of you're describing in your head
ReplyDeleteAwwwwnnnnn...you guys!!!!!! Now I'm blushing in 3D!!!
DeleteThank you!!!
Such a detailed write up.
ReplyDeleteWell beautiful Veeπ