Shipwreck Lodge and the infamous Skeleton Coast скачать в хорошем качестве

Shipwreck Lodge and the infamous Skeleton Coast

For centuries the Skeleton Coast has been shrouded in infamy. History books tell of great adventurers that sailed the seas in search of new worlds. Many made the voyage along the western rim of Africa, en route to destinations far east, but here, along the south-western parts of the continent, many met their doom. Namibia’s coastline stretches for more than 1,500 km from the Orange River in the south to the Kunene River in the north. Along these tumultuous shores are strewn what is estimated to be over 1,000 wrecks of ships and crafts that never reached those new worlds. The northern section of the country’s coastline and the desert landscapes inland make up Skeleton Coast National Park. From the Ugab River northward to the Kunene River, and some 70 km inland in certain places, this conservation area protects some of the most pristine and untouched desert and arid landscapes in the world. The wilderness within is home to a surprising abundance of life. Wildlife and flora adapted to the harsh climes can be found in the valleys and along the ephemeral rivers of the region. The area is largely untouched by destructive humankind, yet there is proof that man has ventured, whether on purpose or not, into this wilderness. One of the park’s most captivating features is the collection of wrecked crafts dotted along its beaches as well as the countless animal, and even some human, skeletons found in the sands. Bleached a stark white by the elements, they are the namesakes of the park. The remains of vessels are more unassuming than what you may think when the term “shipwreck” comes to mind. The rocky shores and years of being pounded by the turbulent ocean waters have whittled them down to small segments and fragments of wood or metal – wisps of memories that allow history to live on. Stories of these ill-fated vessels have become a part of the area’s infamy. They stand sentinel along these lonely shores, warning others of the dangers of the treacherous, but beguiling Skeleton Coast.