Travel Tips
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Travel Survival Guide: 11 Disasters and How to Avoid Them

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We’ve all been there. You’ve planned out your itinerary (or you haven’t, as some of us are wont to do) and you’ve packed your bags.

Everything you needed to do before setting off is done.

You’re ready.

Sometimes, though, even the most experienced traveler can experience some kind of travel disaster. You aren’t psychic.

You can’t plan for every eventuality, but you can have an idea of how you’ll react if one of these travel disasters strikes. I’ve put together a list of eleven of the most common travel disasters below – from exploding shampoo bottles all the way to car accidents – and offered some tips on how to handle them.

Eleven Travel Disasters and How to Cope with Them

These are obviously in no particular order. I don’t honestly believe ‘Inability to access Tinder’ is more of an emergency than losing your passport, obviously.

#11 – Should I Go to Hospital?

Thankfully, I’ve never had to worry about going to hospital while abroad despite having been near death on the Karakorum Highway.

Being truly sick on the road is not only a bloody unpleasant experience, but it can also be brutal on your wallet. Depending on where you are, you could be looking at a bill as low as $20 (in China) to anywhere into the tens of thousands in the US.

And don’t get your hopes up about your government pitching in to help you recover from that rock-climbing injury. Smartraveller expressly states that the Australian government cannot assist with paying for medical assistance overseas or medical evacuation.

In short: you foot the bill.

Thankfully, most travel insurance companies are here to help in this regard. Companies like Fast Cover give you access to a Global Assistance Team which is available 24/7 should the worst ever happen.

Pro Trip: Don’t forget to keep documentation of everything you’ve paid for so that your claim can be processed more quickly.

#10 – Lost Luggage

Lost luggage is more frustrating inconvenience than true travel disaster most of the time, but it can be the difference between a fantastic trip and an expensive one if the airline takes too long to track down your luggage.

You should not only file a claim with your airline as soon as possible, but also do the same with your travel insurance provider.

I always like to keep an extra t-shirt and set of underpants in my carry on in case my luggage goes missing, although the one time I failed to do this – my flight from Australia to China misplaced my luggage and I had to reunite with my then-girlfriend smelling like economy class.

Pro Tip: Airline taking too long to get back to you or just providing shitty service? Don’t be afraid to name and shame on social media. You’d be surprised how quickly this resolves a lot of issues.

#9 – Lost Passport

My #1 travel fear; I’ve almost lost my passport on two occasions now.

The first time, I left my backpack (containing my passport, laptop, and iPad) on a Sydney bus and didn’t even realize until my parents called me an hour later. I was on the train to Newcastle at the time in preparation to return home for Christmas, so imagine my relief when I learned that the bus driver had spotted the bag, called the number in my passport, and arranged for me to collect it from the garage!

The second time, through yet more idiocy, I accidentally packed my passport in a box to be mailed home from China via surface mail. Not only would I have been stranded in China, I’d have had to wait 6-8 weeks for the damned thing to even reach Australia before it could be posted back.

There’s no quick and easy fix to losing your passport. You’re going to be balls deep in forms and paperwork for the foreseeable future. You’re going to spend some long, frustrating hours at the local embassy.

If you were robbed, report it to the police immediately, inform your government, and be sure to collect a copy of the police report for travel insurance purposes. Even if you simply misplaced it, let your hotel/hostel know ASAP so that they can file a report and you can use this in your claim.

Pro Tip: Always carry a photocopy of your passport with you. It’s one less headache when you’re dealing with the embassy.

#8 – Getting Lost

If you ask me, getting lost in a strange city isn’t so bad. Some of my favourite travel experiences have begun as detours and ended up being fantastic adventures.

Separated from your smartphone with up-to-the-minute Google Maps, it can be a little daunting, especially if you can’t speak the language or have somehow stumbled into a seedy district.

Don’t panic! Find a cafe, hotel, or local police station and just ask. Duck into an internet cafe and access Google Maps. Ask a local using your best broken Spanish/French/Swahili.

Pro Tip – Many major tourist destinations have city-specific apps that often come with maps available offline. I used this to great effect when wandering around London.

The things you find while aimlessly wandering around Upton Park.
The things you find while aimlessly wandering around Upton Park.

#7 – Emergency Contraception

No, I’m not talking about the frantic late-night search for a condom. I’m talking about prescription birth control.

Obviously this isn’t something I’ve ever needed to acquire for myself, but I’ve seen firsthand just how challenging it has been for girlfriends and female friends to find birth control when their supply runs out. Some countries require a prescription while others flat-out don’t support it.

In this case, short of having the foresight to bring extra in case of an unexpected extension of the trip, your best bet may be contacting an NGO that specializes in supporting women.

Another sensitive issue for female travelers is the chance of falling pregnant and needing to make a tough decision. Not being qualified to speak on it myself, I’ll instead direct you to a powerfully brave piece my friend Alice wrote on the subject of getting an abortion while traveling.

#6 – Stuck in the Airport

Like getting lost in an unfamiliar city, I don’t find getting stuck in the airport for an extended amount of time to be particularly disastrous. It can be a headache to be stuck somewhere for a long time when all you want is a comfortable bed and a long hot shower, but there are ways to make even the most unpleasant of layovers bearable.

Making sure you’ve got something to entertain you in your carry-on is a must. I always travel with my Kindle fully charged and stocked with books, so even my 40 hour trip home last year didn’t seem so bad. Hell, I powered through an entire trilogy of short novels.

Airport layovers can be tedious, but they aren't the end of the world.
Airport layovers can be tedious, but they aren’t the end of the world.

By day you’ll have access to shops to browse, cafes to leech WiFi from, and restaurants to dine in. The better airports even offer on-site hotels and showers at an additional cost.

Stuck overnight? Check out Sleeping in Airports for a comprehensive review of your airport as a temporary hotel room.

#5 – Rental Car Accident

One that is particularly relevant to me in preparation for next year’s Great US Road Trip, a car accident isn’t only a traumatic event that potentially comes with quite a few expenses – it’s also a nightmare from an insurance perspective as you have to liaise with both your insurer and the car rental agency.

Pro Trip: Start making your paper trail as soon as you can. The more documentation you have, the less hassle you’re likely to encounter when it comes to processing your claim.

#4 – Market Crash

For those visiting Greece, it seems every second question was about whether or not it would be possible to access money while there.

While I leave the commentary to more qualified bloggers (I recommend Borders of Adventure for all of your Greek questions), it’s safe to say that it is always good to be prepared if you know you’re heading into a country where ATM access might be limited.

Traveling with a little extra cash is never a bad idea.

#3 – Liquid Explosion in Your Luggage

We’ve all had that moment of frustration when we’ve opened our bag and found that, while smelling wonderful, it’s an absolute mess. Our body wash or cologne or shampoo has exploded in transit and drenched everything in an aromatic mess.

Prevention is the best strategy: pack your liquids in a clip seal bag or separate compartment. Simple.

#2 – Storms

Weather, being an unpredictable force of nature, is a son of a bitch to plan for. While you can do a lot of research and prepare according to what you’ve read, you can never be sure when a storm or natural disaster might hit.

Follow the lead of the local authorities and, if possible, inform your immediate family so they know where you are and what is going on.

Better yet, be sure to register your travel plans so that people will know where you are should the worst happen.

#1 – No Access to Tinder/Facebook/Twitter

Some countries (*Cough CHINA Cough*) block social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. If you can’t handle being separated from your Tinder following or, like me, you need social media for work – the best bet is to invest in a VPN.

My personal recommendation is Astrill, but there are a lot of options out there.

Of course, you could just strike up a conversation with the person next to you, read a good book, or get out and explore. Facebook isn’t going anywhere.

Believe it or not, there are people to talk to offline as well!
Believe it or not, there are people to talk to offline as well!
Travel Tips
melbourne graffiti street art

Things to do in Melbourne on a Tight Budget

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Like a lot of Australian cities, Melbourne can be a daunting prospect for somebody traveling on a budget.

At first glance, it might look like Australia’s art, sport, and cafe capital is beyond your price range, but the great thing about Melbourne is that it’s completely packed full of fun things to do, even if you’re running on a tight budget.

Things to do in Melbourne on a Tight Budget

 

Ride the City Circle Tram

Melbourne is famous for its tram system, and one of the best ways to get around the city and see the sights is by jumping aboard the free City Circle Tram.

The City Circle Tram service takes you past some of the city’s most famous tourist attractions including the Princess Theatre, Parliament House, and the Old Treasury Building, as well as the shopping streets, malls and arcades.

You’ll easily spot the City Circle Tram route as it’s serviced by heritage W class trams, recognisable by their burgundy and gold colour. It takes approximately 48 minutes to complete a whole loop and you can jump on a tram every 12 minutes.

Pro Tip: The City Circle Tram uses a ‘hop on – hop off’ allowing you to come and go as you please and operates both clockwise and anticlockwise, making it super easy to get around.

melbourne tram
The iconic Melbourne tram. Image courtesy of Andrew Phelps.

Cycle Around
If you want to see more of Melbourne, why not hire a bike and cycle around for the day? Melbourne is one of the top cycling cities in Australia and is home to a first-class bike share system making it easier than ever to get from A to B.

With 50 bike stations located throughout the CBD and beyond, you can simply hop on a bike from one station, and drop it off somewhere else. There are now even helmets attached to every bike to keep you safe!

Pro Tip: The Melbourne Bike Share website has a whole host of tour recommendations to help you explore the city. From foodie tours, to culture tours, you can download maps and guides to ensure you make the most of your cycle trip.

melbourne bike share
Image courtesy of ravlahuja

Check out the street art

Melbourne has a load of amazing art galleries and exhibition spaces, but some of the best art is out there in the streets. Known as “stencil capital of the world”, the city embraced stencil art at an early stage and it’s visible from the CBD to the suburbs.

Many of the world’s most famous international artists have contributed to the plethora of work in Melbourne including Shepard Fairey and Banksy, with laneways across the city including Hosier Lane and ACDC Lane boasting some eye-wateringly good street art.

Pro Tip: Look around online before you go and download one of the street art tour guides. They’ll give you a map of all of the laneways you need to see and show you what’s hidden away in places the tourists don’t know about.

melbourne graffiti street art
Melbourne’s street art scene is a huge part of its trendy appeal. Image courtesy of Jonathan Lin.

Royal Botanic Gardens

If you’re lucky enough to catch some great weather in Melbourne, then make sure you check out the Royal Botanic Gardens. Built back in 1846, the gardens are an incredible 38 hectares in size and are home to over 50,000 plants. It’s an ideal place to stroll around the lakes, lie on the grass or soak up a bit of culture.

There are a variety of walks that you can take in the gardens including the Aboriginal Heritage Walk where you can experience the ancestral lands of the Koolin nation and discover how plants were used for food, tools and medicine, as well as the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden where kids can have a day they’ll never forget.
You might also spot some of the locals including black swans, cockatoos, eels, kookaburras, and more!

Pro Tip: Check out the free Winter Discovery Tour running from June to September for some seasonal secrets.

royal botanic gardens melbourne
How’s the serenity? Image courtesy of charlievdb

Queen Victoria Market

The Queen Victoria Market is one of Melbourne’s premier tourist attractions. Open five days a week, the market is spread across several blocks of the city and has over 600 retailers. The market features the usual fresh food shopping, but what really make it unique are its seasonal fruit and vegetables, Deli Hall for artisan cheeses and meats, imported gourmet foods, and organic coffee and wine. Not forgetting the hundreds of shops and stalls selling fashion and souvenirs where you can pick up something special to take home.

Top Tip: If you’re looking for a Melbourne hotel then the Queen Victoria Market is a good area to start. A short walk to the CBD and the fantastic Lygon Street restaurant quarter, the location is perfect.

queen victoria market melbourne
Image courtesy of Wolfy.

Your Say

Do you have any budget travel tips or cheap things to do in Melbourne you’d like to recommend?

Destinations, Namibia
Chris cuts a dramatic figure as he explains to us how the desert lives an breathes.

A Namibian Desert Safari

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A Desert Safari?

Like many people, my first thoughts when I hear the word ‘safari’ drift to the more iconic African animals: majestic lions roaring atop towering boulders, elephants walking head to tail across the savanna, lean cheetahs prowling through long grass, and all of it against a backdrop of acacias and baobab trees.

That kind of safari is certainly possible in Namibia. As you can see from my photographic safari in Etosha, there’s all of the above and more.

When I heard we’d be going on something called a ‘living desert safari’ during our visit to beautiful Swakopmund, I’ll confess to being more than a little dubious.

At first glance, it certainly doesn't look like there is a whole lot going on in the Dorob National Park.
At first glance, it certainly doesn’t look like there is a whole lot going on in the Dorob National Park.

I’d grown up in the NSW Outback. My back yard was red earth and cats eyes, and duststorms were a reason to run outside despite my Mum’s protestations.

So… yeah, I wasn’t exactly thrilled about the idea of spending a morning out in the desert chasing whatever it is there was to see there.

How wrong I was.

A Living Desert Safari

From the moment our gregarious guide and host, Chris jumped out of the car and began to exchange good-natured banter with our group, I was sold on the idea.

I figured even if there wasn’t much to see out in the Dorob National Park’s towering dunes, at least I’d be entertained by the back and forth between South African Chris and American Don.

After a brief introduction to the desert and the day ahead, we were given a remarkably interesting run-down of what makes the desert in Dorob National Park so unique. With the morning mists coming in off the frigid Atlantic, the dunes are actually considerably more alive than they might appear at first glance.

This is what I imagined counted as 'life' in the desert.
This is what I imagined counted as ‘life’ in the desert.

I couldn’t possibly do Chris’ colourful metaphor for the desert’s ecosystem justice. There was a lot of talk about muesli and customers and buffets, but it all made sense.

You quickly started seeing the desert not as some barren, lifeless thing to be driven by or walked through, but as something every bit as alive as the savanna plains of Etosha.

It’s all just a matter of scale.

Chasing the Little Five

The Big Five (lion, elephant, leopard, rhinoceros, and cape buffalo) might not have been in evidence, nor were the official Little Five (ant lion, elephant shrew, leopard tortoise, rhinoceros beetle, and buffalo weaver), but there was certainly a safari to be had.

Like a madman possessed of boundless energy and the kind of enthusiasm that only true passion can muster, Chris would fling himself from our vehicle at the slightest sign of something happening out in the dunes.

If I’d been amazed by how our driver could spot serval cats and mongooses out on the Serengeti, then colour me gobsmacked at how Chris managed to spy tiny lizards and insects against the constantly shifting sands.

We got to spend time with a whole range of animals, and all of them shown to us in a way that was informative and entertaining without being unpleasant for the animals.

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In the Presence of a Local Hero

You see, Chris doesn’t just run tours out into the Dorob National Park – he’s a huge part of why it exists.

Passionate about the area and seeing the damage that rampant ATVing and littering had been doing to it, Chris and others who share his passion petitioned long and hard for something to be done about it.

Chris cuts a dramatic figure as he explains to us how the desert lives an breathes.
Chris cuts a dramatic figure as he explains to us how the desert lives an breathes.

It took a long time and a lot of work, but the Dorob National Park now lies just outside of Swakopmund and the formerly constant buzz of ATVs zooming all over the dunes and hardpan has been replaced instead with the kind of utter serenity that exists only in the places we haven’t ruined with our constant presence.

Speaking of Serenity

Once the informative part of our day was over, we were given a quick drive over the dunes.

When we weren’t enjoying roller coaster thrills taking steep drops or sharp turns, we were standing atop these colossal, ever-moving dunes and being amazed by the fact such things can exist so close to a fierce ocean.

The pretty German girl I developed a wee bit of a crush on enjoys the serenity. And yes, she knew I was taking her photo.
The pretty German girl I developed a wee bit of a crush on enjoys the serenity. And yes, she knew I was taking her photo.

Glad to be Proven Wrong

In what is becoming a regular occurence in my life and something you’d think I’d have learned from by now, my first impressions were once again way off base.

Like my misguided belief that climbing the Great Wall of China was somehow missable and cliched, I was way off base about what exactly the Living Desert Safari entailed.

Not only was the desert far more alive than I’d have ever imagined, but Chris’ passion for his work was infectious. I left not only entertained and with a stockpile of photos, but with (dare I say it) a greater understanding of and appreciation for the desert.

The dunes meet the sea. Stunning.
The dunes meet the sea. Stunning.

Your Say

Have you ever had a desert experience that you’d like to share?

Or, more broadly, have you ever been completely disproven about your original opinion of an activity or place?

Australia, China, Destinations, Thailand, United States

Five Unmissable Multi Centre Countries

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What is Multi-Centre Travel?

Prior to studying tourism this year when I went back to school, I hadn’t heard the term ‘multi-centre’ either, but it is actually a pretty perfect way to sum up the way I travel.

Rather than picking a single destination and spending all of my time there, I invariably try to see and do as much as humanly possible in a country.

I mean, if I’m not sure whether or not I’ll ever be back there, it makes sense to try and find a balance between seeing as much of it as possible and doing so at a pace that allows me to appreciate what I do see.

What Makes a Multi-Centre Country?

Obviously, not every country is a great candidate for multi-centre travel. Maybe it’s a place like Kenya that is really only famous for one thing (safaris) or maybe, like Fiji or South Korea, it’s a smaller country that can be explored quite well in a small amount of time.

But there are countries out there that really do warrant an itinerary that fits in as much as possible. It’s not enough to go to the United States and only see New York, or to go to the Philippines and only see Boracay.

Disclaimer: Of course, every country can be a multi-centre country. Even a tiny place like Fiji has multiple islands worth visiting.

Below, I’ve listed five countries that I’ve travelled to that are perfect multi-centre destinations offering plenty of variety in things to do and places to see.

Five Unmissable Multi-Centre Countries

Honorable Mention – Europe

This is ‘unmissable multi-centre countries’, so obviously Europe can’t be included but the continent is arguably the original multi-centre destination.

With so many countries and cultures, there are limitless possibilities when it comes to planning a European vacation. It’s something I’ve not yet made a tilt at, but I’d love your advice!

My only European experience so far has been a very British wedding. Photo by Stephanie 'Rock & Roll McDonalds' O'Donnell.
My only European experience so far has been a very British wedding. Photo by Stephanie ‘Rock & Roll McDonalds’ O’Donnell.

#5 – China

It’s no surprise that a country as large and as ancient as China makes for an excellent multi-centre vacation. With its many historic cities and beautiful mountains spread out across the country, many Chinese itineraries include at least three or four stops.

Beijing -> Xi’an -> Shanghai

This seems to be the general route everybody takes. A visit to Beijing to check off the Imperial sites and the Great Wall, Xi’an for the Terra Cotta Warriors, and then Shanghai for whatever it is people think there is worth seeing there.

(I love Shanghai, honestly I do, but it wouldn’t even make my top ten places to visit in China).

Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan, for example, should definitely be prioritised ahead of Shanghai in my eyes.
Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan, for example, should definitely be prioritised ahead of Shanghai in my eyes.

Beyond these three obvious choices, there is so much to see that it would be impossible to do China justice in a single trip. There’s the landscapes of Yunnan that inspired Kung-Fu Panda, the distinct Xinjiang province, the tropical paradise of Hainan, the Germanic beer town of Qingdao, the pandas and forests of Sichuan, the beauty of Tibet, the stunning surrounds of Hangzhou’s West Lake…

I could wax lyrical, or I could just direct you to my previous posts on different places to visit in China.

#4 – Thailand

For a lot of travellers, Thailand begins and ends at its beaches. Whether your poison is debauched Phuket, over-hyped Koh Phi Phi, the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan, or the sweeping beauty of Krabi – Thailand definitely does have it all on the beaches front.

I’m not even judging those who do just go for the beaches. Hell, that’s my plan when I’m in the country this October.

A visit to islands like Koh Phi Phi is a must on any Thai itinerary. It just shouldn't be your only stop.
A visit to islands like Koh Phi Phi is a must on any Thai itinerary. It just shouldn’t be your only stop.

But Thailand truly is a place that warrants the multi-centre approach. Sure, you can set up camp on the beach for weeks and not regret it, but you might regret missing out on the beautiful mountains of the north, the crumbling ruins of Ayutthaya, the hustle and bustle of dynamic Bangkok, or one of the myriad other places across the country that warrant exploration.

While I may not be doing justice to Thailand this time around, I certainly gave it my level best in my three weeks there in 2013 – hitting Phuket, Koh Phagan, Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Bangkok, and Chiang Mai before jetting off to Cambodia.

#3 – New Zealand

New Zealand may be a small country, but if the Lord of the Rings series taught us nothing else – it’s that New Zealand is home to one of the most diverse landscapes in the world.

It’s like God had a little of ever landscape left over, so he decided to cram it into this relatively small island. In my eyes, there are few countries that can compete with New Zealand for sheer natural beauty.

The Fjordlands in New Zealand are just one of about a thousand things to see there.
The Fjordlands in New Zealand are just one of about a thousand things to see there.

What makes NZ such a perfect multi-centre destination is that you can see so much in a small time frame.

My ten-day tour in 2010 included:

Christchurch -> Queenstown -> Milford Sound -> Franz Josef Glacier -> Rotorua -> Auckland

That was missing out so many amazing landscapes and charming cities, so I guess I’m due a return tour.

#2 – Australia

I constantly have friends from abroad asking me if they can see Australia in two weeks.

In all honesty, you can’t even see all that my country of birth has to offer in two months. I’ve lived there most of my life and I’ve barely scratched the surface.

The general route for most people heading to Australia tends to be:

Queensland (Cairns) -> Sydney -> Melbourne

That’s not a bad way to get a snapshot of Australia. You’re visiting its two biggest and best cities as well as the Great Barrier Reef, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Great Ocean Road. That’s not a bad trip.

Standing atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge is still one of my favourite travel memories.
Standing atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge is still one of my favourite travel memories.

But you’re leaving out so, so much. I’ve written at length about the different places to visit in Australia, so I’ll leave that with you.

#1 – United States

Was there ever a country more perfectly suited to multi-centre tourism than the US of A? With its large population, fantastic infrastructure, and diversity of both landscapes and cultures, the US is a place just begging to be explored at a leisurely pace on an epic road trip. It’s such a massive country that you could do multiple US multi-centre holidays and still not see it all.

I’ve been to the US twice now for a total of three months, yet have only managed to make it to fifteen states. You can read about my favourites in the 50 State Challenge.

Contemplating the sunset from atop Sentinel Dome in Yosemite.
Contemplating the sunset from atop Sentinel Dome in Yosemite.

East Coast

West Coast

About a dozen viable cross-country routes.

And that’s just the continental US!

Next February, I’m headed to the US for The Great US Road Trip, and you best believe I’m going to be hitting as many cities, landmarks, and dive bars as humanly possible.

It’s gonna be legendary.

Your Say

What destinations would you recommend people include on a tour of your home country?

What destinations in your country do you wish people wouldn’t focus so heavily on?

Destinations, Namibia
The towering dunes and parched desert give way to the churning Atlantic so suddenly that it seems implausible.

From Desert to Sea: Stunning Swakopmund

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My Love Affair with the Ocean

I wouldn’t really be an Australian if I didn’t have a healthy affection for the ocean with which my nation is gurt.

Some of my earliest memories are of being out beyond the breakers on my Dad’s shoulders and feeling both terrified and amazed by the ocean’s size and strength.

This fascination with the sea has been a driving force behind many of my life decisions and my travel plans.

My foot steps in the sand along the beach in Swakopmund.
My foot steps in the sand along the beach in Swakopmund.

I relocated to Newcastle back in 2004 for the express purpose of living on the beach, and when I was choosing a university to enroll in earlier this year – it was to Coffs Harbour for the cruisy beach lifestyle that I was drawn.

Likewise, some of my favourite travel memories have come from beach destinations. Whether it was the windswept and frigid Oregon coast, the garishly lit and deliciously lively Ocean City boardwalk, savouring the serenity on an isolated Zanzibar beach, or scuba diving off the coasts of Fiji and the Philippines – this desire to be close to the ocean has defined me.

So it was that I felt a growing sense of excitement and anticipation as our car made the long, bumpy, and dusty trek from Etosha National Park to Swakopmund.

Where the Desert Meets the Sea

It’s surreal when it happens.

Your first indication that there is a change coming is in the air. After a day of oppressively dry heat, the first hint of ocean cool is something biblical. It’s a tender kiss that soon goes into full blown, hand up under the shirt carress.

Then the sun-baked earth and the towering dunes give way and it’s like “Welcome to Jurassic Park” as the brilliant blue of the Atlantic and the idyllic little seaside town of Swakopmund comes into full view.

The towering dunes and parched desert give way to the churning Atlantic so suddenly that it seems implausible.
The towering dunes and parched desert give way to the churning Atlantic so suddenly that it seems implausible.

This trendy little colonial town with its cool nights, misty mornings, and German architecture seems so out of place after the parched desert you’ve spent hours driving through.

The town itself is quaint in a way that instantly wins your heart. The old-fashioned clock towers, the charming Germanic architecture, the palm trees that line the broad streets, and the distinctly African charm of its bustling markets and friendly people blend together in a way like something out of high fantasy.

Broad streets, European architecture, and palm trees.
Broad streets, European architecture, and palm trees.

Dining in Swakopmund

Our first port of call is lunch, and it’s no surprise that Swakopmund offers up delectable seafood in spades. Whether you’re craving a quick and dirty fish & chips, some surprisingly good Japanese sushi, or a full-blown decadent feast of lobster, escargot, and oysters, Swakopmund has you covered.

So good was the selection of seafood that I even took a break from eating every animal in Namibia.

Over the course of our three nights in Swakopmund we really mixed things up: fancy meals of fresh oysters and delicious kingklip at The Tug and Jetty 1905 as well as more down to earth fare at the blink and you’ll miss it Fish Deli.

Sushi at Fish Deli. This place was easy to miss, but it had great sushi, great Asian themed dishes, and traditional fish & chips.
Sushi at Fish Deli. This place was easy to miss, but it had great sushi, great Asian themed dishes, and traditional fish & chips.

There’s definitely plenty of options in this sleepy little seaside town, ranging from authentic local fare all the way up to the kind of high end dining that Jetty and The Tug both offer.

Like everything in Namibia, it’s cheap too. A good meal was a fraction of what I’d have paid in Australia.

Sushi at Fish Deli. This place was easy to miss, but it had great sushi, great Asian themed dishes, and traditional fish & chips.
The aptly named ‘Jetty’ sits at the end of Swakopmund’s iconic jetty. The perpetually rough Atlantic makes the whole structure shudder. It’s one of the more exciting meals you’ll ever have.

Staying in Swakopmund

As a seaside destination in a very dry country, Swakopmund is an understandably popular place for visitors both domestic and international.

Wherever you find tourists, you’ll also find an abundance of options.

As part of our famil with the Namibian Tourism Board, we were lucky enough to stay at two utterly beautiful properties: The Stiltz and the Desert Breeze.

Despite being in the same city and being owned by the same affable chap, the two properties couldn’t have been any more different.

Where The Stiltz exist in perpetually misty seaside tranquility, the stylish bungalows of Desert Breeze cut striking figures against the backdrop of the Namib Desert. What they had in common were one of the most delicious breakfast spreads I’ve ever sampled, friendly staff, and stylish rooms.

With the ocean purring in the background and colourful flamingoes nearby, Stiltz was a fantastic place to hang my hat.
With the ocean purring in the background and colourful flamingoes nearby, Stiltz was a fantastic place to hang my hat.
The silence that exists out on the fringe of the desert is just surreal.
The silence that exists out on the fringe of the desert is just surreal.

What to do in Swakopmund

Despite being seaside towns, Swakopmund and nearby Walvis Bay aren’t the best place in the world to escape for a sunbathing and swimming holiday.

The Atlantic is a frigid and angry beast for much of the year, making it more picturesque than it is pleasant for swimming.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t plenty to do both on and out of the water. Dolphin & seal watching, wreck-diving on the ominously named Skeleton Coast, wind & kite surfing, fishing, pleasure cruises, and more can be found in the area.

The town’s proximity to the Dorob National Park makes it something truly unique as far as beach towns go. Where else in the world can you enjoy fresh seafood in a waterfront cafe and be in the harsh desert less than an hour later?

Our own tour of Swakopmund would include a desert safari and a sandboarding excursion which I’ll write about a bit later.

Standing atop a sand dune trying to look wistful.
Standing atop a sand dune trying to look wistful.

Swakopmund was just so unlike anywhere else I’d been. It was at once a desert city and a seaside escape; somewhere both European and distinctly African.

It’s the kind of place you immediately fall in love with, and my only regret is not having had more time there to appreciate it’s unique charm.

Caren and Astrid wander along the beach on a cool June afternoon.
Caren and Astrid wander along the beach on a cool June afternoon.

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