The trip to Namibe - Intro

This trip needs some previous comments.
i didn't just decided it was a good idea to go to Angola on vacation. I would probably be one of the 3 people that did that in the last 20 years or so!
The reason I went to Angola was to visit my girlfriend who was there working for a few months and, as a big part of my family was born there, I decided it was time to go and see the country I'd heard so much about while growing up!
First stop was Luanda, obviously, and only the next day we went to the south.
There are 5 tons of advice I should give you before you visit Angola. The most important:

• It would be best to visit if you already know someone living or working there.
• Visas are extremely hard to get, and quite expensive too. Tourism visas are virtually impossible to get
• Book a very nice (and very expensive) hotel. 5 star will do. Under that you'll be putting yourself at risk. I stayed at the most recent - Epic Sana. Quite good.
• Don't think for a moment that 5 stars mean anything like you're used to in Europe or the US.
• Be careful where you keep and show your money.
• Try to hire a driver (most international rent-a-car companies will get you a car with the driver) and avoid driving yourself as much as possible. If something happens (and it is quite easy to happen) you'll be a deep trouble if you're the one holding the steering weal.
• Book everything in advance.
• Always have 1000 kwanza bills on your pocket. You'll be distributing them as candy. "Bribes" are as common as the air you breed (police road blocks, airport, ...).
• Try not to walk by yourself on the street. Even during daylight it may not be advisable.
• Never carry a laptop, camera or cellphone in sight. You'll lose it almost for sure.
• Sunscreen is mandatory.
• Do the full medical checkup and vaccines (check with your medical centre which are the mandatory vaccines you should get). They wont let you in if your vaccines are not up to date and if you didn't get the mandatory ones).
• Mosquito repelent. You need to bring at least one gallon of it! Seriously, you should carry some mosquito repelent with you at all times, and keep spreading it in your skin (feet an all).
• There is a lot of poor people, so if you get easily upset by this just don't go.
• Everywhere you get to there are lots and lots of small kids on the street that will approach you. Most of the times they just want to talk to you and sometimes ask you for some money (but not always).

All in all, I loved this trip because it had a special personal meaning for me, but also because this is an amazing country.