Al Fresco Dining.

For all of us who like al fresco dining, Namibia undoubtedly is the place to be. It's open air season 365 days a year. Even during rainy season you can sit outside on most days, provided you have a covered porch. Get yourself some antipasti, listen to the birds/crickets/frogs/rain (depending on your location) and while the evening away. And for those chilly winter nights, just get yourself a decent amount of candles and a warm blanket. Just avoid moving to Swakopmund unless you are a particular fan of dampness.

Flamingo Cottages.

Get away from it all this weekend. Skip Swakop and head straight for the Flamingo Cottages at the lagoon in Walvis. As nondescript as the city might be elsewhere, you can pretend to be in a charming seaside resort here. The whitewashed, thatched cottages open up to your own patio and the communal lawn, complete with palmtrees and all sorts of maritime features. When you look out onto the sea you can almost pretend to be somewhere in bucolic Holland. If it wasn't for the flamingoes and palmtrees of course. Light a fire in the huge fireplace or spend the evening outside and make a fish braai. Problem is, you may want to stay forever.

Pastelaria Lua de Mel.

It's probably not the most beautiful of locations for a patisserie gem like this, but that doesn't really matter anymore once you face the display of tarts and cakes. What a sight! It's here (on 23 Sam Nujoma Dr, opposite the Presidents' Crossing Engen) that we head for our early-morning chocolate croissant and espresso boost. The ladies that whizz around behind the counter and between tables are delightfully friendly and never short of a joke. You can almost feel a Mediterranean vibe. Must be the Portuguese influence. Just make sure you don't forget to also buy a few Pasteis de Nata for lunch and some Death by Chocolate to go with your afternoon tea. They also do savoury, by the way.

Omajova Mushrooms.

Some things are not precious because they are so incredibly expensive but because it's hard to get hold of them and it involves quite a bit of luck to do so. One thing this applies to more than any other are our beloved Omajova mushrooms, which grow on termite mounds during rainy season. Namibia's very special, wonderful, enormous fungi are rarely (if ever) found on grocery store shelves, so if you crave their nutty goodness you better watch out when traveling back to Windhoek on a Sunday afternoon. We were fortunate enough to encounter a friendly fellow offering a bunch of Omajovas on the side of the road just the other day when stopping for a bite between Otjiwarongo and Okahandja. We turned them into a divine Butternut & Omajova Quiche with Chevre and Gruyere this time around. To die for. But thanks to their firm texture they are also great when cut into thick slices and fried as steaks. Toss in some lemon-and-herb butter and serve with a fresh summer salad.

Lake Oanob.

Head for Lake Oanob this weekend. It's only an hour's drive from Windhoek, so you can be there well in time for sundowners. Rent one of their nice chalets by the water and enjoy the tranquility. Well, you'll have to ignore the other crazy guests on their boats and water-skies, but then perfect relaxation is guaranteed. Open yourself a chilled bottle of Delheim Rose, do some leisurely cooking and spent quality time with family and friends. Perfect for impromptu outings.

Stampriet Watermelons.

What would summer be without a juicy watermelon right off the fridge? Unfortunately, most often you can't tell where they come from when you buy them at your local grocery store. But when you get them from a bakkie on the side of the road in the capital or further South, you can be pretty sure they are fresh from the fields in fertile Stampriet. And they're oh so good. The guys down there should probably put a little sticker on their produce that reads just that: Fresh from Stampriet.

Dolomite Camp.

The Western side of Etosha National Park has recently been opened to the public. Provided you book a night (or two, or three...) at NWR's brand-new Dolomite Camp. That being said, the lodge itself is worth every minute of the long drive from Windhoek. And what a beautiful place it is. I suggest you skip the long drive from Okaukuejo and enter Etosha from Galton gate right into the mountainous part of the park. Dolomite is build around the slopes of one of the hills with commanding views over the flat expanse below. Brace yourself for amazing vistas from almost any point on the property.
Let the sun wake you up while it comes shining in through the wood-and-glass concertina doors that open onto your small private balcony. All about your chalet is high-quality, natural materials and attention to detail. Think wood, wood, wood. But without the polished kitsch you have become so used to in other establishments. Interior designer Heidrun Diekmann has done a magnificient job. I especially love the communal lounge area, which is housed in a separate, spacious hut. Huge armchairs and cushions invite you to grab a good novel (or a copy of National Geographic from the extensive NG library stacked on one of the shelves) and read the day away with the grandest of panoramas when you look up from your book. Or you take a dip in the sparkling infinity pool with the same amazing view. Pure bliss.
The food is pretty good and the people are friendly, too. If only the service was as stunning as the rest...

LOVE NAM.

There is a country in the Southern part of Africa that tries hard to be a boring branch of South Africa, complete with soulless retail outlets, fenced-off properties and a striking refusal to celebrate local produce, businesses and talents. But let's face it, this all is a clever (if thinly veiled) disguise to keep Namibia out of global quality of life indices and reserve this magnificent place for a lucky 2 million. Well, not any more: Stay tuned and join us while we get behind the secrets kept so well for way too long. Here is what makes life between the Southeast Atlantic and the Kalahari such a bliss.