Christmas on the Beach

Walking with seagulls and watching the sunset above the ocean

There were no candles involved or stressful Christmas shopping. No feasting for three days but instead lots of parties, beaches and time spent together.

In my German family and in my Namibian family Christmas is celebrated on the 24th of December. But we didn’t have to wrap ourselves in layers of clothes.

Before 9 am already we were sitting in the car heading out for a day on the beach. Who? Just my in-laws together with my husband and me. And our entire household as David said.

But there is a lot needed for a day on the beach. We needed sun and wind protection. The desert sun is brutal and the wind was predicted to be strong.

As we arrived early on the beach we could pick a nice spot and set up the wind nets and the gazebo.

The men soon had their fishing gear ready. It was low tide and the otherwise rough Atlantic Ocean was still rather calm.

Seagulls were circling above our heads hoping for a catch of the day.

After taking a quick nap in the shade, I picked up my camera and went for a walk on the beach. The wind was still calm and the sun bright.

Many cars arriving now drove along the water line and parked not far from the water. It wouldn’t be long before they had to move their vehicles. The waves and the salt water are aggressive to your cars on the beach.

I arrived at a stretch with lots of boulders and cliffs in the water. Now at low tide they all stick out of the water. In a few hours from now, they’ll be gone in the sea.

So are the mussels. Most of the rocks are covered in seaweed and lots of different mussels.

I turn inland to walk back in the sand of the Namib desert. This is what the skeleton coast is like. Rough beaches and a vast landscape. Only a few bushes are surviving here.

With a last glimpse of the previous picture taken I lift my eyes from the screen and freeze in the moment. A snake is moving away. Only a few steps away from my feet I’m kind of in shock.

The white creature is quickly winding its way away from me and even though I have the camera ready to shoot, I don’t take a shot. I just watch where the snake heads towards.

I don’t like snakes. I don’t know much about them and surely have no knowledge about which ones are poisonous and which aren’t.

Happy to have missed that encounter by centimeters, I now watch my step.

Back at camp it is time to prepare lunch. Pork belly, lamb chops and of course braai broodjies. Those tomato and cheese sandwiches I bring out into the world. An Afrikaans tradition and delicacy.

Soon after lunch, I sit back in my chair overlooking the beach. The scene is now much different. High tide is rolling in and massive waves are breaking on the shore. The wind has picked up too.

A small sandpiper, here known as Strandloper, is catching my attention. These tiny birds walk in the sand where the waves are moving up looking for tiny crabs and other moving creatures.

They might be small but they run fast. I always see the next wave approaching saying “this one is going to get the bird”, but every time those tiny feet start running right on the edge of the water. Of course, they could fly away if needed but this one has it all under control.

I spend probably about half an hour sitting in the chair with my full attention on the Strandloper. It’s those small things in life.

Sometime in the afternoon, we pack up camp and head back home again. We unload all the gear and relax in the house until I see the sun getting closer to the horizon and decide to go for another walk.

The beach is just a corner away from our home in Namibia. Palm trees are marking the point where I can see the sun touching the horizon.

Few people are walking along the beach. When you live in Swakopmund, beach walks are part of your life. Even on Christmas Eve.

A gray heron is sitting on a small hill overlooking the beach. Only having my wide-angle lens with me, I only get a snap of the bird as he is taking off toward the setting sun.

I turn right to get to the flower fields in front of the Maritime Flats. Having a certain image in my mind I quickly seek those blossoms and get down on my knees.

With the orange light from the setting sun in the background, I focus on the shining flowers in the gardens.

A flock of birds is getting my attention. It’s a group of flamingos heading south for the night.

And there she is. The sun has reached the horizon and is now quickly disappearing into the sea. What a beautiful day it has been. Not even the fog rolled back in and blocked my view. Clear skies throughout the day.

Back home again, we switched on the fairy lights and handed over the gifts. An Amarula shot to celebrate the day and some words read from the Bible.

This was my Christmas in Namibia.

“The best Christmas gift is to realize how much you already have.”

More about Christmas in other years or places:

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