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| Leaving the harbor, which is mostly industrial-scale fishing; we are aboard a double-decker catamaran, well-stocked with snacks and libations; the bay almost glassy, beyond, on the Atlantic, the slightest of swells; the winds, light and cool |
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| We are being followed |
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| One of my better pix ever (just as he catches the fish thrown his way) |
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| Among the enterprises underway at Walvis Bay: oyster farming; the Bengueli current brings loads of nutrients from the Antarctic that enable the oysters to grow and mature many times faster than European or American oysters |
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| Possible porpoise |
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| Charter boats glimpsing a possible whale |
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| The whales apparently had the day off, so we headed for the island with 60,000 seals |
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| Another possible whale |
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| Who cares about whales when you have pelicans this entertaining? |
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| "Now hear this, you lubbers, this is my boat and if you want to see stupid pelican tricks, you have to feed me" |
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| "Uh oh" |
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| "What do you mean 'your boat', you swabbie?" |
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| We interrupt the pelican show... |
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| Seal show |
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| One of the pelicans discovers where the snack fish are kept |
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| It's a 3 ring circus; no, 4 |
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| "Hey, I'm the star of this show" |
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| The cap'n tells us about sea lions, whales, porpoises, oysters, idle ships, pelicans... |
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| Don, from our group, makes friends with the pelican |
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| As does Jim |
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| As does Vicki |
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| Meanwhile, my attention turns to lunch...they have already plied us with sherry and breakfast snacks...now it's going to be oysters and champagne and more |
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| Namibian oysters; I am studying, even videoing, this guy's technique..he's good, really good, and the oysters look great |
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| Pelicans are not into oysters; fortunately |
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| Oyster farm; again |
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| The lunch spread; not many in the group wanted oysters, so Howard and I cleaned up; utterly; some of the plumpest, tastiest, juiciest oysters I've had |
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| As the cruise ends, a harbor seal, Nicholas, climbs aboard for his treats |
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| Thus ended a great cruise, educational, seriously, not quite as advertised, but better... |
