After enjoying the remoteness of Etosha National Park, Vingerklip and the desert driving arriving into Swakopmund felt like somewhere rather big and busy. The sat-nav took us straight to our self catering apartment, Chala-Kigi, just out of the central area of Swakopmund.

The apartment was plenty big enough for us with separate sleeping and living areas and access to a garden too. We decided to spend the first evening in the apartment having visited the local Shoprite supermarket and picked up some pasta, vegetables and wine. It was nice to have a meal in for once on the holiday plus it gave us the chance to use the washing machine to give us enough clean clothes for the remainder of the trip - we could also 'de-seal' after our earlier visit the Cape Cross.

Swakopmund was a pleasant place to walk around and although the apartment had electric fences the place felt very safe to wander around. For a Saturday it didn't feel very busy but that wasn't a problem for us. Our first call was the Otavi Bahn station, which was originally a mining railway but also carried passengers between Swakopmund and Otavi - the station is now a number of small businesses but they have preserved the character of the old station very well.

We then headed across to another old railway station in town, again converted to another use, and what a good restoration job they have done. The Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment complex has the old main railway station as it's centre piece and forms the reception and lounge with the hotel rooms and pool on the old trackbed.

The rest of Swakopmund has enough to keep you busy for a day if exploring on foot with some interesting Germanic/Colonial buildings to view, the Swakopmund Museum is well worth a visit, there is the old pier to wander along and some nice promenades too. If you want to escape the sun then call in at a coffee shop or a bar and watch the world go by - it certainly worked for us.

Walking out in the evening we were a little apprehensive, the apartment owner said we would be fine, but the odd electric fence and spikes on walls do set you a little on edge. We were fine - as predicted - but the town was quiet for a Saturday, certainly compared to back home.

Our evening meal at Jetty 1905, located at the end of the pier was superb and we went following a recommendation by our Australian friends Warren and Monica who had visited Namibia recently. The food was fabulous, with generous portions and all washed down with some South African bubbly recommended by wine expert Brian Binns. We were absolutely stuffed after just two courses.

Our Sunday morning started with a trip out into the desert on Welwitscha Drive to see the plants (Welwitscha) that are unique to this part of the world. They are very slow growers and can live for around 1,000 years.

We continued our day by heading to Walvis Bay, around 30km south of Swakopmund. The main reason for visiting was to see the flamingos that feed in the shallow lagoons close to the city. We also, as you do, called into the railway station although the number of passenger trains is very limited - clearly we had missed today's departure . . . or maybe we hadn't as there was no timetable. Outside the station was the little engine called 'Hope' which was rescued from the desert between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.

Once back in Swakopmund there was time to pack our bags before walking back into the central area for our evening meal at Garnish Indian Restaurant. The food and service was very good.

We head off from Swakopmund via Walvis Bay - to call in at the Willi Probst Bakery (it gets rave reviews) before heading off into the Namib Naukluft desert area famous for massive sand dunes.