The Good Holiday.

 

So, you still want more? Here you go. Together with a host of other contributors, I now share responsible tourism stories from around the world on THE GOOD HOLIDAY. Here's how Daréll Lourens, the passionate film-maker behind the blog, describes the project:

TGH produces films in places that make an extra effort to involve and empower local communities. Our photographers take pictures in parts around the world that amaze with natural beauty and our writers string together sentences about destinations that inspire an inner knowledge that living well creates more abundance than living rich.

Do I need to say more?

Erongo Wilderness Lodge.

Erongo Wilderness Lodge has always been a special place but after a recent face-lift it's pure magic. Situated just outside the quaint little artist town of Omaruru, the lodge is nestled in the picturesque boulder landscape of the Omaruru Mountains. From your luxury safari tent built on stilts into the rocks the view goes out to lush greenery that contrasts the ochre hillocks with their rounded edges and steep, dramatic cliffs that plunge into nowhere. The tents, all with open air bathrooms, are tastefully decorated in contemporary safari style with only a hint of Afro-chic here and there. Each room features a large wooden patio for morning coffees or lazy afternoons. Before dinner, make sure you join one of the guides for the sundowner walk that leads you to a splendid lookout with jaw-dropping vistas of the plains below and the Omaruru river bed winding its way through the bush. Then, retreat to the new dinner deck overlooking a waterhole and enjoy whatever yummy goodness the chef whips up for you and some other lucky few (the lodge only has 10 rooms) in the gourmet kitchen. Staff are super-relaxed and super-friendly, yet very professional, which isn't something you can say about many establishments in Namibia. You will enjoy every minute, be it in the solitude of your tent tucked away in the hills or on a guided tour with one of the expert guides.

http://bigsky-namibia.com/index.php/erongo-wilderness-lodge/about-erongo-wilderness-lodge

Hiking at Rostock Ritz.

For some of the best hiking in Namibia look no further than the grounds of Rostock Ritz Desert Lodge. The lodge itself is a nice-enough (though far from special) place to stay the night, but what Rostock Ritz really excels at is yaw-dropping natural beauty aplenty. Numerous hikes take you from grassy plains to bizarre rock formations and from red dunes to rolling hills, all within a couple of hours, sometimes even minutes. It's a giant's playground that you can easily get lost in for some days with only wildlife keeping you company. Large herds of mountain zebra roam the area, a particularly spectacular sight at sunset when they come close to the water hole at the foot of the lodge. You can just sit and sit and let hour after hour pass while you marvel at the beauty of the world, well Namibia. And if that sounds a bit corny, wait until you've seen it yourself. Sigh!

http://www.rostock-ritz-desert-lodge.com/

Cuppa.

Hidden behind the Walvis Bay Yacht Club, beyond a nondescript approach road and a car park lies a charming cluster of shops and restaurants that make up the leisure (epi-)centre of what can safely be described as an ugly industrial town of sorts. And although you can still see the working harbour with its container ships and rows of 20ft units stacked high into the sky, this makes for quite a pleasant panorama when admired from one of the cosy wicker chairs at Café Cuppa. With the bar next door, a curio shop just across and the celebrated Lyon des Sables (which claims to be Namibia's best restaurant) on the first floor this is as holiday as it gets in Walvis Bay. Boats and catamarans with tourist groups zip in and out of the harbour, the sea is dotted with small sailing boats and the odd posh yacht, gulls scream overhead. You might even spot the occasional cruise ship spitting out immense numbers of middle-aged or retired travellers in beige attire that will most definitely make their way to where you are right now in a matter of minutes. So, order yourself a good cup of coffee and a slice of cake to go with it and enjoy the general brouhaha.

https://www.facebook.com/CuppaMusselcracker

Shearwater Oyster Bar.

Lüderitz, despite its tourism appeal, is not normally known for its culinary delights and your best bet most of the time is home-cooking in your self-catering apartment. Fortunately, at least on Friday nights (and daily for lunch) the Shearwater Oyster Bar in the town's old quay area on the way to Shark Island makes for a pleasant alternative. Housed in the same building as the aquaculture company of the same name this low-key but charming affair welcomes guests with an eclectic mix of re-purposed fishing paraphernalia. Lobster cages double as tables, old fenders have been turned into lamps, and the industrial ceiling is camouflaged with fishing nets and little flags. The menu is rather short with a focus on - surprise, surprise - oysters, which come in fresh and au gratin versions. But then, oysters is maybe what you want from an oyster bar. Order a cold bottle of white wine from the bar and as many oysters as you like because they are most likely the most affordable quality oysters you'll get anywhere in the world. Sit back and enjoy the maritime atmosphere while strong, cold winds from the Atlantic batter the ships out at sea. Cosy!

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g316112-d3438678-Reviews-Shearwater_Oyster_Bar-Luderitz_Karas_Region.html

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