Whales in the bay, seals for company—Cape Pelican in Namibia

It's so interesting, Namibia has a population of over 2 million, and so do the seals. In an African country, it feels like you've arrived in Antarctica, with down jackets donned and the Atlantic breeze bringing in bursts of fishy smell. Leaving the stunning sand dunes behind, we arrived at Namibia's second-largest city, Walvis Bay, which presents a completely different scenery. This largest deep-water port in Namibia, once a South African military base. Following a United Nations Security Council resolution, Namibia gained independence from South Africa in 1990, but Walvis Bay was not included in Namibia's territory and remained a South African exclave. It was not until 1994 that Walvis Bay officially returned to Namibia. Walvis Bay was first discovered by Portuguese navigators, back in 1487. As European fleets sailed to Asia, they needed to stop for supplies, and Walvis Bay was once the 'best stopover', known as the 'world's second-best natural harbor'. The waters at the border between South Africa and Namibia are home to a surging current from Antarctica called the Benguela Current. It brings a vast body of water and rich nutrients, making this a world-famous fishing ground, naturally attracting many fish-eating animals. Under the scorching sun, we see seals, sea lions, dolphins, turtles, and flying fish occasionally swimming out from the icy waters, adding endless fun to the lifeless sea. On the beach, less than one square kilometer in size, lies hundreds of thousands of seals, each with a cute and endearing appearance, melting people's hearts. After basking in the swimming pose, the seals also sunbathe, and the seabirds have to obediently make way. Some say that those with ears should be called sea lions. Others say these are seals, better left for zoologists to study. Seeing a red creature peeking in the water, I immediately aimed the 'big lens' at it. Such beautiful creatures, and they turn out to be the jellyfish skin and jellyfish heads we usually eat. This is a large jellyfish family with many species, graceful postures, and some with even more vibrant colors. The cruise ship continues to wander by the beach, and suddenly a perception is shattered—the 'whale' of Walvis Bay appears. The huge creatures that normally visit here in July and August showed up in March at Walvis Bay. I went to Iceland, Alaska, and boarded ships specifically looking for whales, never expecting to encounter them in Africa without any mental preparation. By the Atlantic, you can't just look at the sea and be done with it. The freshly caught oysters are tender, crisp, and delicious. Eating them while feeling the Atlantic breeze, the vastness of the world, the human touch, everything is worth it.