Holidaying at the coast

Holidaying at the coastAccommodation facilities fully booked Crowds of holidaymakers thronged the Dolphin Park outside Walvis Bay in celebration of Christmas and Family Day. Walvis Bay municipal resorts supervisor Florencia Mutrifa has confirmed that 4 588 day visitors visited the pool and water slide facilities at Dolphin Park on Christmas Day.

“There were fewer day visitors to Dolphin Park on Family Day but we expect the number of visitors to increase significantly on New Year's Day, which is usually our busiest time of the year.

“Most locals return from holidays and opt to spend the day with us. We also recorded no incidents and can confidently say that this year's festive season was one of the most peaceful ones we have experienced. People adhered to the rules and we did not record any casualties. Six life guards from the navy stationed at the pool keep a close watch on the swimmers.”

Holiday accommodation at Walvis Bay is well occupied for the festive season this year. The 27 bungalows at Dolphin Park, which can accommodate 70 people, are fully booked.

The 120 camping sites were 90% occupied while the 27 bungalows at the Esplanda Park facility were fully occupied by visitors from Botswana, South Africa and Namibia.

Walvis Bay traffic chief Eben Platt confirmed that no car accidents were reported on Christmas and Boxing Day on the B2 route between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.

“Everything went quite well despite huge traffic volumes and we did not experience any major problems. Eight cases of inconsiderate driving were recorded.

“I must also thank the truckers for adhering to the call to make use of the Dune 7 road. We expect traffic to increase considerably once again after the December holidays when people return home from the coast. Please adhere to the rules of the road, do not speed or drink and drive,” Platt said.

The West Coast Safety Initiative reported 416 vehicles per hour travelling towards Walvis Bay and 668 vehicles per hour travelling towards Swakopmund on the B2 route on Christmas Day at 17:00. Numerous reckless driving complaints on the B2 route between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund were reported.

On 26 December, 214 vehicles per hour were counted travelling towards Swakopmund and 674 vehicles per hour travelled towards Henties Bay on the C34 route at 12:30.

The annual Touch Rugby and Angling Bonanza competitions took place at Henties Bay on the day.

Traffic volumes recorded at the Swakopmund road block at the same time indicated that 160 vehicles per hour were travelling to the coast and 674 vehicles per hour were travelling from the coast.

OTIS FINCK