The long drive through the mountains to Swakopmund was exhausting, but the fishing trip at sea was worthwhile – for a rich fish dinner in the evening. The rest of the catch ended up in a large cool box. Ralph flew them freshly caught to Bitterwasser in his Cessna. The croaker, also known as cod in Namibia, are now waiting to be prepared in the lodge's freezer. They are all large adult animals, whose fondness for the pieces of sardine on fishooks was their undoing. The small ones caught, under four inches tall, got a chance to grow further. If they are not pulled out of the sea prematurely, these predatory fish can grow to be over two meters long and weigh 100 kilograms.
In Bitterwasser we are now eagerly awaiting the big fish dinner.
Although the season in Bitterwasser seems to be coming to an end in mid-January, the weather is at its best. Pilots from all over the world enjoy impressive thermals, breathtaking cross-country flights over 1000 km and a unique community.
The last season 2023/24 ended with a spectacular highlight for Dmitry Borovyk and Anton Minskii: on the very last day, they managed to fly around three declared turning points that cover an impressive distance of 1250 kilometers. This extraordinary achievement earned them the privilege of planting a palm tree in Bitterwasser - an honor only bestowed on the best pilots. One year later, the two are now returning to Bitterwasser to plant their palm tree in a festive ceremony in keeping with the old Bitterwasser tradition.