Flaunt - The Deli.

Flaunt, the eatery, has been around for a while now as one of the more pleasant (as in outdoor) breakfast and lunch options at Maerua Mall. A couple of months ago the people behind the project expanded into the shop next door to open a takeaway deli for all of us too hungry to travel to other parts of town but not willing to put up with the not-so-cosy parking lot location of the café. I guess you can still call it alfresco if you like, yet with an industrial twist. So, if that's not for you, head for the deli instead to browse through the shelves of artisan muesli, picnic bars, cheese, charcuterie and cake, to name but a few, and fill your basket with whatever you feel like. We can highly recommend the fresh farm bread as well as irresistible cupcakes that come in various favourite flavours from carrot to choc. Then, make off for greener pastures and enjoy!

http://www.flauntnam.com/#!the-deli/cuye

River Crossing Lodge.

The good thing about coming to Namibia for vacation is that you can try out some of the wonderful lodges just outside town that are conveniently located to explore Africa's most orderly capital while at the same time offering an alluring bush experience. Our pick is definitely River Crossing Lodge on the way to Windhoek airport with your room overlooking either the city below or the green hills of the Khomas highlands. Even from your breakfast table you can either pretend you're in for a day of shopping and sightseeing in the city or for serious hiking out in nature. In any case, make sure you fill your tummy with a generous portion of their homemade cereal mix topped with fresh fruit and yoghurt. You'll definitely want more, we gurantee! When back from your adventures in the evening, River Crossing is also the perfect spot for sundowners, much loved by Windhoekites for that special weekend feel on a normal working day. On top of it all, staff are super-friendly and helpful so you might as well stay for dinner. All in all, it's a great value-for-money destination.

http://www.rivercrossing.com.na

More Namibia.

Back from a wonderful road trip through Southern Namibia with stories to tell, pictures to show and places to recommend. Stay tuned for a number of updates over the coming weeks!

Arabesque.

We've made a move for Egypt. The story continues:

Follow our discoveries at http://arabesquegypt.blogspot.com/

This was Secretly Namibian.

It's been three wonderful years in Namibia and when reading my own blog, I am actually not sure if it's such a great idea to leave this beautiful country. After all, there's new cafés and small little shops popping up everywhere and it saddens me a bit not being able to follow these developments any more. I hope to have the opportunity to continue Secretly Namibian in future. There's always a reason to return, be it a slice of chocolate cake at the W&V Kaffeebar in Windhoek, a sundowner at Walvis Bay harbour, or camping in Kunene.

For now, the blog will remain online as a repository of all the great things about Namibia. If you are a visitor, I hope the entries help you discover a very special country that will surely attract more global attention in future. Don't be surprised to find it on the Condé Nast Traveller Hot List soon. If you are lucky enough to call Namibia home, may Secretly Namibian inspire you to explore the country afresh every single day.

Ahoy.
Bernhard.

FNCC & Blue Frog.

Imagine life without the Franco-Namibian Cultural Centre, FNCC. The undisputed leaders in all things related to arts and culture in Namibia churn out an impressive array of events every month that see locals and expats alike flock to their vibey downtown premises in Robert Mugabe Avenue. They have their own indoor art gallery, a well-stocked library, and even a boutique cinema with plush chairs and surround sound. It is here that the indie enthusiast finds culture and arts gems that provide the perfect antidote to mainstream pop junk so painfully prevalent elsewhere in the city. The mix of exciting artists from around the world and local newcomers never fails to impress. FNCC is at its best once a month when it’s time for the wonderful Friday Acoustic Concert series. Against the backdrop of an eclectic urban fabric of construction sites and colonial-era buildings, Windhoek’s artsy in-crowd comes together for a glass of wine and a good dose of vocals and guitars.

During the day, the on-site bistro and brasserie Blue Frog is THE place to see and be seen for office, embassy and ministry folks working in the vicinity. So, bring your sunglasses, sit back and relax in the small garden, and order a light snack or salad to keep you going for the rest of the day.

Katutura Soap.

The Katutura Soap project provides handmade olive oil guest soaps to the likes of Wilderness Safaris and Gondwana collection. Still, not many people know this very special project, let alone where to find it. When we make our way to their small workshop in a welcoming red-brick complex in Assuit St, the ladies behind the project are immediately excited and pose for a picture with their unique wares. The small kitchen is brimming with activity, soap bubbling on the stove, soap bars being wrapped and labelled, the seamstress and the bead artist operating from the same premises come by for a chat. All is made by hand here with only the finest ingredients! The olive oil is provided by Ruhleben farm from Swakopmund and the sea salt has its origin at the Namibian coast, too. So far, there are not many outlets for the soaps, which come in different shapes and sizes from regular bars to flowers, but that might be changing with the Katutura Soap Project improving on the marketing front and trying out new recipes for their products. Wanna become a stockist or order custom-made soaps for your lodge or business? The ladies will surely be delighted to assist.

http://www.katuturaproject.blogspot.com/