Windhoek (also known in German as Windhuk) is the capital and the economic and political centre of Namibia. The city is located in the Windhoek Basin, the approximate geographical centre of the country, surrounded by the Eros Mountains in the east, the Auas Mountains in the south and the Khomas Highlands in the west and north. Windhoek was first mentioned in documents in 1840 and founded as a modern city in 1890. Windhoek now has around 450,000 inhabitants, with an annual population growth of around 4.5%.
Namibia Slideshow 1: Windhoek from Joerg on Video.
After having no luck with the usual opening hours on Saturday afternoon, we drive from the Pension Palmquell to the nearby Wecke & Voigts shopping center after a rich and good breakfast. On Sundays, the shops are open until 1:00 p.m. At Safariland Wood we find what we are looking for and buy typical hats, in Chequers we get “Peaceful Sleep", a mosquito repellent, and a few gift items are also available. Afterwards we can continue our city tour.
Along Independence Avenue, formerly Kaiserstrasse, there are some of the old buildings that are very reminiscent of a small German town. The path leads past the zoo park to the Kudu statue and then to the so-called gymnasium. Although it was originally intended for physical exercise, it became famous as a meeting place for the gymnasium alliance.
Back at Palmquell, the afternoon is spent at the swimming pool and on the sunbathing lawn under palm trees, even though the water in the pool is very cool due to the time of year (quote: "That was refreshing, very refreshing"). This is followed by a sundowner in the Heinitzburg; why break with beloved traditions? We stay at Palmquell for dinner and enjoy the good food in the in-house restaurant. The menu is rather simple, but the quality of the food on offer is good. The service also has a real Nordic touch, so that the order of "one oryx and one gemsbok" is accepted without further comment.
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