Swakopmund for Dummies The NAMAs Edition

The Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) are next week, the city’s heading to the sea and so no one shows up hungry, homeless or with their hair half did, The Weekender has put together a little guide to help you get wined, dined and dazzling before Swakopmund’s very first staging of the NAMAs.

For breakfast, try Stadmitte Café. A coffee mecca with an English breakfast for just N$40. Stadmitte is open from 08h00 to 14h30 on weekends and has Wi-Fi for customers. Large tables and its location just opposite Woermann Brock on the main street make it ideal for a little lunch and a latte before taking in the sights.

Lunch is best served at Village Café. Combining kooky and kitsch in a cool interior, this artsy little eatery is a must for anyone who has ever dreamt of lunching down the rabbit hole. The food is delicious, the Wi-Fi is free and everything is made with love and from scratch. A must see with daily specials and a sweet spot across the road from Standard Bank. Opening hours are from 07h00 to 17h00 on weekdays and 07h00 to 13h30 on Saturday.

Dinner is definitely time to hit N’amigos. With Windhoek in want of good Mexican food, N’amigos is a hot heaven for chilli poppers and margaritas while tantalising tastebuds with tapas, nachos, pizza and buffalo wing specials. The bar and grill is open from 17h00 to 02h00 on weekdays and 12h00 to 02h00 on Friday and Saturday.

Like Popeye with his spinach, Windhoekers don’t feel strong unless they’ve had kapana. The mighty meaty treat can be found in Mondesa where a kapana spot sells vetkoek and braaied meat pretty much 24 hours a day. Check it out and declare the winner between Single Quarters and the fare there.

If the sea breeze has you wailing about your weave, head to Lita’s Beauty Salon next to Spar on Eugene Miller Street in Ocean View. Offering eyebrow waxing, night make-up and assorted hair styling, Lita’s is open from 08h00 to 18h00 on Friday and 08h00 to 13h00 on Saturday. Call 064 404 747 for an appointment.

Eyelash extensions are an awards night must, head to Mi-Jocy on Independence Street in Mondesa. Elongating lashes for just N$180 a pop, the technicians will have you out in an hour and can funk up your fingers with nail services. Call 081 270 4414 or 081 439 5761 to book.

Salon Jannis is also eager to do your eyelashes. The brand spanking new salon in the centre of town also offers nail and make-up services and will make wack weaves wow at shop number 6 in the Stadmitte Arcade. Pop in or call 081 274 7240.

Jenny in Mondesa is another hairdresser and her number is available on request from @marth__vader on Twitter.

Bunk on a budget at the infamous Gruner Kranz. Offering dorm, single, double, triple and quad options billed per room, all with a bathroom and television and the option for breakfast, Gruner Kranz is a great stay for people who want to chill on the cheap. Gruner Kranz features a private bar and club and Wi-Fi can be accessed for a donation of N$50 which goes to the SPCA. Call 064 402030 for bookings.

Seeing as a number of people will travel to Swakop a day in advance to avoid traffic, Swakopmund has a vast variety of other spots sure to keep you entertained.

The Cosmopolitan Restaurant and Lounge Bar, situated at 37 Daniel Tjongarero Street, offers a great place to unwind while having some of the best wine and cocktails.

The Lounge, which is separate from the restaurant, has a cigar and cocktail lounge feel to it, the ideal place for a person who just wants to have a mellow night out, with subtle music but still with a party feel to it. Open until 02h00.

Infinity Lounge will be hosting the after party for this year.s NAMAs. Situated in Mandume Road, one of the main roads, which makes it easily accessible. If the the sound of waves and the beautiful sunset is your kind of scene, then Tiger Reef Beach Bar, is the ideal place for you to spend an afternoon or evening partying it up. Open from 16h00 to 02h00.

For those who love treating their bodies to a well-deserved pamper, Swakopmund has some of the best spa facilities that will leave you rejuvenated and glowing for the event and weeks after. The Healing Water Spar at the Sea Side Hotel and Spa is situated in Dolphin Drive at Mile Four. The spa offers facials, manicures and pedicures, hot stone massages – you name it, anything that will leave you feeling like a prince or princess. For bookings call 064 415 900.

The Health and Aroma Wellness Centre is a place where serenity and various professional treatments are the order of the day. Situated at Tobias Hainyeko Street, Shop 2, The Arcade. The centre also has a hair salon, which caters for your hair care and cosmetic requirements. Call 064 404850.

For the adrenaline junkie and adventure lover, Swakopmund Skydiving Club offers skydiving at an affordable N$2100. An extra N$850 you can get video footage and pictures. Jumping starts from 09h00 in the morning to 30 minutes before sunset. Bookings can be done a day before or on the day. For bookings call 064 405671 or book online at www.skydineswakopmund.com.

The famous Dune 7 sand-boarding has become tradition for any visit to the coast. For N$250, Dune 7 Adventures offers six flights up the dune after an amazing trip down with your sand-board. One can also go for an hour of quad biking for N$350, 45 minutes for N$300 and 30 minutes for N$220.

Some people feel very safe because they have the City of Windhoek number on speed dial. To make sure you feel as safe while having a splendid time at the coast, here is a list of emergency numbers you can carry around. From emergency ambulance services to 24/7 traffic response services. The team from Steenbras Garage promised around the clock availability for any tow-in assistance visitors may need.