Grade 9 German Swakopmund Trip

The Grade 9 German class went on an adventure-filled trip to Swakopmund from the 29th to the 31st of January. Our class left the school grounds early in the morning to make the most of our time in Swakop. After a fairly calm road trip, we arrived in Swakopmund at Amanpuri Backpackers. Everybody claimed their space, and then we were off to Checkers to buy snacks and ingredients for the cooking group. This also gave us time to walk around and prepare ourselves for our first activity: surfing!

The opportunity was extremely exciting for all of us, as we were all beginners. It was certainly difficult, but it turned out to be one of the most memorable moments of the trip. Everyone was falling over, especially at the beginning. However, as time went on, the class looked almost intermediate, as we were only falling off the boards here and there. This was a great achievement, as even the instructors admitted that the waves we had that day were the biggest they had seen in five weeks. Afterwards, the class was extremely thirsty and tired. Students were scavenging for fresh water from their peers. Once water was found in the back of one of the cars, we could finally rest and talk about what surfing had been like for everyone.

After surfing, everyone felt sticky from the seawater, which caused a rush to shower before we went to Brauhaus for dinner. At last, everyone was clean, and off we went to fill our stomachs after a long day. The food at Brauhaus was typical German, and we were able to show off our German-speaking skills.

Day two of our Swakopmund trip was fun, full of activities, and packed with memorable moments. We started the morning with a delicious breakfast that gave us energy for the busy day ahead. Afterwards, we headed to the jetty, where we gathered to take a class photo. The view was beautiful, and it was a special moment to capture a memory of the trip.

After the jetty, we visited the museum, where we learned new and interesting things and explored different exhibits. It was both fun and educational. We also had some free time, which allowed us to walk around, look at things that interested us, and spend time with our friends. Later, we went on a boat tour, which was one of the highlights of the day. Being out on the water was exciting, and everyone enjoyed the experience. We also learned about seals, seagulls, and whales. After the boat tour, we visited Ms Christina’s house, where we relaxed, drank tea, and spent some time together.

In the evening, we worked together to make spaghetti and sauce for dinner. Cooking as a group was fun, and the meal tasted great after a long and busy day. The cooking team also made sure there were different sauces and a healthy salad - halal, vegetarian, and healthy options for everyone. It was the perfect way to end Day 2 of our trip, and everyone went to bed looking forward to the next day’s adventures and the drive back home.

Finally, the third and last day of our German trip arrived. One of the most meaningful activities was beach cleaning. It allowed our class to contribute to Swakopmund while also strengthening our connections with one another. We worked together to pick up plastic, wrappers, cartons, and all kinds of waste, helping to keep the beaches clean. By doing this, we protected the environment and animals and kept the beaches beautiful for visitors. It also helped us understand the impact waste can have on the surrounding areas.

On this day, some students went quad biking in the breathtaking dunes. We also visited the Swakopmund Snake Park, where we were welcomed by Mr Strech, the owner. We watched the feeding of the snakes and a large rock monitor, and learned about many different reptiles. Our class developed a special fondness for the tortoise named Eugine. After admiring Eugine, we even had snakes placed around our necks. This was a unique experience, as we could feel the cool scales of the snakes on our skin. After the snake park, we had some more free time.

We spent this time getting food and walking around town. Later, we went to the Mole, enjoyed beach life, and swam in four different swimming sections, ranging from beginners to very strong swimmers. Some of us even swam from one side to the other and back! This was extremely fun, as it challenged us and allowed us to spend more time with our wonderful German teacher, Ms Christina, and get to know Mr Benedict better.

To end our trip, we went to Ice and Spice for one final ice cream. Afterwards, we had a long drive back to Windhoek. The journey was filled with music and singing, making it the perfect way to end the trip. In conclusion, the Swakopmund trip was both enjoyable and educational, and allowed our class to bond with each other and our teachers.

Lastly, below you can see some sneak peeks of our adventure in Swakopmund.

Written by Ingrid & Vidhi