Swakopmund—just the name brings a smile to my face.
There’s a certain magic about heading to the coast, where the cooler air and misty mornings provide a refreshing contrast to Windhoek's dry heat. The rhythm of life slows down, and the scenery shifts dramatically. Here, the dunes fade seamlessly into the sea—a meeting of two endless expanses that feels both timeless and mysterious.
One of my favorite rituals is climbing a dune on the way to Walvis Bay. If the late afternoon is blessed with a clear sky, free of the usual mist, I pack a cooler box with a cold drink and head for that one special dune. The climb is no small feat—a real workout—but reaching the top makes it all worthwhile. There, I sink into the soft, warm sand, savor my drink, and watch the sun slip away, as if it’s diving into the ocean. In that moment of solitude, with nature putting on its grandest show, I feel a wave of gratitude wash over me.

But Swakopmund isn’t just about breathtaking landscapes. It’s also about its stories—those rich, layered tales of tradition and history. One such story belongs to Café Anton, a place I always make time for. The moment you step inside, the aroma of freshly baked treats is impossible to resist. The display of cakes, pastries, and pies is so tempting that deciding what to order becomes a delightful dilemma.
This time, I treated myself to their famous Apfelstrudel, topped with cream, alongside a perfectly brewed cappuccino. As I savored every bite, I had the chance to chat with Heidi, the café’s current owner, who shared its inspiring history.
Café Anton opened its doors in 1966, but its story began even earlier, in 1954, when Manfred Anton, a master baker and confectioner, immigrated to Namibia from Germany. Two years later, Helma Jansen followed, and in 1958, they were married. Together, they dreamt of opening a guesthouse with a café. Then came a moment that could have been pulled from a movie—Helma’s former employer handed her a blank cheque, saying, “Mrs. Anton, you can fill in any amount!”
With that extraordinary gesture of faith, they turned their dream into reality. Today, Café Anton remains a family-run establishment, carrying forward the same values, passion, and quality that Manfred and Helma poured into it all those years ago. Sitting there, with the view of palm trees and the sea beyond, I could almost feel their spirit still alive in the air.
Swakopmund holds so many stories like this one, each adding to its charm. Stories that, much like Café Anton’s, inspire me to believe in my own dreams and the power of persistence.
This is my story from this visit—what’s yours? I’d love to hear about the places and moments that have touched your heart, whether they’re from Swakopmund or somewhere else in Namibia.
Until next time,
From Sandra’s pen, Namibia
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