Lambert's Bay

Our second to last night on the tour was the coastal South African town of Lambert's Bay

It was recommended to us for two reasons.

One, by the general tourists estimation, it is an absolutely spectacular spot to see some rare and beautiful birds
The is the Cape Gannet
and it nests exclusively off the coast of South Africa and Namibia

Each pair claims a nesting spot. Just far enough from the neighbors to prevent theft, just close enough so all can fit in the space defined by the tide

It was amazing to watch them fly in and land precisely in their nest amidst all that chaos

Interestingly, they have blue eyes

This is one of my favorite pictures

Honey, I'm home!

Digging a nest

He's got something to say

Pretty birds

After seeing the birds, we wandered to the end of the pier, where a fleet of diamond boats anchored. Practically the entire coast of Namibia is off limits due to the fact that diamonds literally just wash down the river beds (in the odd time there is actually water that is)If a diamond makes it past the gauntlet of government sanctioned seekers, it sits at the bottom of the ocean waiting to be found by enterprising people who literally vacuum the sea floor in search of such treasures

Regardless of that, I thought they made pretty pastel pictures in the afternoon light

Apparently, they protect the harbor simply by telling the water which way to go.

One last look at the wheeling colony of Gannets

Back in town, I took a little walk and found more lovely birds. flamingos this time

It really was a beautiful day

Greater and Lesser Flamingos

As well as a smattering of other birds

On my way back, I noticed these little cuties in the brush. No idea what they are, but oh well

The second reason we went to Lambert's Bay was to fulfil Jan's wish for good food.
This is Muisbosskerm Restaurant

It is an open air restaurant where they cook the food over an open flame. And get everything from the ocean just beyond. even your eating utensils come from the beach!

While we waited for our food to cook, we had a glass of wine and watched the sun set.

Gudrun and Sebastian

Dear Jimmy, a little over protective of his beer, maybe, but beloved for all that

Drinking lovely wine, watching the sun set, smelling all the wonderful smells...

Gudrun and I

Jan, Jimmy, and I. As the lone single on this trip, I spent most of my time with these boys.

John and Joan

Martin and Marian

Kaja and Carrie

When the food came, it was better that you could even imagine. Fish after fish, of every kind the ocean could offer that day, cooked to perfection and set out without ceremony. The beauty of the food was all the ceremony needed. And yes, Jan, the sweet potatoes were to die for.

What a final evening! I did find it funny that while the group remembered me as the elephant whisperer, and my interest in plants, the boys in front remembered me for pointing out a mountain that looked like a boob. Guess I should have known better

The next day, we took the scenic route to Cape Town, driving past a number of beautiful little beach towns and bays