Another Update-

We are 3 days from the Equator, we have crossed the 30th parallel and the seas are about 10x more calm then they were just yesterday. The temperature gets warmer every second we inch closer to the equator. We are going to stop in Dakar for fuel and then head to Walvis Bay, Namibia.

 

We have 3 days there and I'm planning on a couple of semester at sea trips which count as field components for my classes and the last day Vanessa and I are planning on going to watch a group of our friends go Sky-diving and then were going to explore the city of Swakopmund. Its a city with heavy German influence due to the fact that Namibia was once a German colony.

Here are the descriptions for my two trips:

Natural and Geological Wonders of the Namib: Travel in 4x4 vehicles along the coastal road towards Swakopmund before heading eastwards toward the Namib-Naukluft Park. The Namib-Naukluft region is almost entirely made up of national parks, extending from Oranjemund, the restricted Diamond Area in the south, up to the Kunene River. In this arid region, water is more precious than diamonds. Plants have adapted to sprout at the first shower of rain and this is a magical place for photography enthusiasts.

The Namib is one of the oldest deserts in the world and known for some unusual characteristics. The central section is a shifting sea of warm, apricot-colored sand dunes, constantly changing with the play of light and shadow, depending on the time of day. The cold Benguela Current offshore captures vagrant moisture from the sea and the resulting fog provides vital moisture to the area’s flora; some unique specimens have evolved here.

Drive through the Swakop River Valley, a dry riverbed that seldom flows, to the "Moon Landscape", a vastly eroded valley, which has an appearance similar to that of the moon’s surface. Spend time exploring this area of deep chasms and interesting geological features before continuing to "Welwitschia" Valley, where literally thousands of Welwitschia Mirablis plants litter the ground. View these fascinating plants, which were discovered by Dr. Friedrich Welwitschia in 1859. The plant is a modified tree, producing a single, turnip-like stem that can be more than three feet thick and five feet tall. The adult leaves develop from this stem. At first glance, there seem to be many leaves, but closer inspection reveals only two, up to ten feet in length, split into many sections by the harsh, dry winds. This weird plant produces its first flower after about 20 years and has a lifespan of at least 500 years. Along with the Welwitschia plant, the valley also hosts a variety of interesting lichen plants.

Return to Walvis Bay via the dune belt to Dune 7. Stop en-route and enjoy a refreshing treat of fresh oysters and soft drinks. Orange juice and salty snacks are also provided. Drive through Walvis Bay, visiting the lagoon and tidal flood plains before returning to the ship. Depending on the time of year, a variety of water birds, including flamingos and pelicans may be seen.

Eco-marine Kayaking: A two-person kayak is an excellent vehicle from which one can not only feel and smell the ocean but also have a chance to observe marine wildlife "up close and personal". At the coast from Walvis Bay, there are opportunities for leisurely kayaking with excellent sights. Sea birds are in abundance, including pelicans, terns, plovers, cormorants, sandpipers and flamingos, From Pelican Point, one can paddle amongst seals and occasionally dolphins.

These both sound awesome to me and I'm excited to see where they take me!

We have one more day on sea and then we have 5 days in South Africa. I have something planned for each day:

1- A field component about Authors in Cape Town for my Lit class, then a Jazz safari with local musicians throughout Cape Town and then a massive out-door concert at the end where if you bring your own instrument you can jam with the musicians.

2- Operation Hunger: an NGO whose mission is “to create partnerships between vulnerable households and caring people to combat malnutrition which, when suffered by children, undermines the nation’s health, education and economic potential.”We will be traveling to Squatter's villages and witnessing what Operation Hunger does everyday to help the people.

3- Amy Biehl foundations Visit: Amy Biehl was a young American Fulbright Scholar who was stoned to death in South Africa in 1993 where she had gone to help in the struggle against apartheid. She was very interested in working with disenfranchised voters in the country and had worked there previously, studying multi-party elections in various African states. Her parents, Peter (now deceased) and Linda, and their family have established the Amy Biehl Foundation Trust to continue their daughter’s work and have been highly supportive of groups concerned with the lasting effects of apartheid. In the townships you will see the impact of apartheid and continuing racial discrimination on poverty today.

4- DIVING WITH GREAT WHITE SHARKS!!! AHHHHHHHHHH SOOOOO EXCITED!!!

5- Elandsfontein Fossil site (which is for a class but I'm still excited about it anyway!!) The Elandsfontein Fossil site is located about 1 ½ hours north of Cape Town and consists of a major fossil exposure dating to about 400,000 years ago. A human cranium (late Homo erectus) has been recovered from the site, and we can see the original specimen before we leave. We will travel in 4 X 4 vehicles and will be accompanied by Dr. Graham Avery, Curator of Archaeology, South African Museum.

All in all I'm pretty darn excited for the ports coming up. I hope everything goes well.

Until next time-

Em