Walvis Bay, Namibia

Yay! We finally found a decent internet connection in Casablanca, Morocco. Before we get ahead of ourselves, travel backwards in time with us to late July as we resume the account of our trip. From our base in Swakopmund, we took a day trip about 35km down the coast to Walvis Bay, Namibia, where we had booked two spots on a dolphin cruise. As it turned out, dolphins were in short supply, but we were not disappointed in the least. Instead of scrawny dolphins, we got to hang out with a massive gang of wild fur seals. In fact, when we went to board the boat, one of the fur seals had climbed aboard and was sitting on a seat greeting us with its characteristic bark. I was startled, but Lauren took it completely in stride, relishing in her ability to pet and feed these large, but friendly, beasts.

Here is Sally, the seal that welcomed us aboard.

That blue sleeved-arm belongs to Lauren.

While thoroughly wild, the seals have such frequent contact with fishing boats and tour companies that they have made themselves right at home alongside and in the boats. They will even perform tricks in order to get a free meal. Sally's trick was to wash her face with her flippers and spin around. It was hilarious.

The local pelicans were also well-versed in the art of sucking up to boats in order to get fish. This pelican saw a fish on our boat from about 300m and came swooping in for the catch, landing on its webbed feet as if water skiing.

Another tough day in the life of a traveler.

Lauren, with the Walvis Bay lighthouse in the distance.

Without question, the highlight of the "dolphin" cruise was our rendezvous with Casanova, the 250kg (551 pound) fur seal. To our delight, he surfed in the boat's wake for a while and then hopped up the stern to bask in the group's attention. Lauren did not disappoint, lavishing the charmer with luxurious strokes of his slick fur. Casanova's body was also covered in tons of deep scars, wounds that were suffered in the seal-eat-seal world that is the Cape Cross seal colony during mating season.