Review of our trip to Ethiopia from 7 February to 2 March 2015
Our first stop was at the Rock Hewn Churches, this was incredibly interesting and Mario was so informative.
It was fantastic watching Lammergeiers flying below us as we checked stayed in the Mountain View Hotel in time for lunch enjoying the scenery from the roof top terrace.
Dining at the Ben Abeba restaurant was an amazing experience with chatting to the Scottish co-owner who explained that in a few years time the whole building will be a waterfall of flowers.
Unforgettable are the churches in Lalibela; Bet Giorgis; the Monastery of Yemrehanna a church in a cave, there were so many mummies there.
Next stop on our tour was Gonder where we were met at the airport by Getachew, the lovely guide who was passionate about Gonder. Before ending the day by a great meal at the Four Sisters, we watched a shoulder dancing show and even had a jig; we went to the Debra Birhan Selassie church, Royal Enclosure and Fasilidas’s Pool.
Continuing our way to the Siemien Mountains, at Debark, we met up with our guide and scout. Simien Lodge is where we spent two nights inside the park. Though pricy, the lodge is beautifully situated in the most incredible mountains that I have ever seen.
The guide Yalew and the scout took us on a walk and on our return in the evening we had our first sighting of Gelada Monkeys. We drove the next day to Chennek camp and were enjoyed watching a good sized family of Walia Ibex and some big birds among them vultures on a Gelada carcass at the bottom of the cliffs.
Continuing our tour to Bahir Dar, crossing a beautiful landscape we arrived in Bahirdar late in the afternoon where we checkedin to Abay Minch Lodge. The same day we drove to Blue Nile falls which there was plenty of water.
Next day was to Lake Tana to visit the island monastery. Another good day. It was then back to the airport for our flight back to Addis Ababa, but not before we stopped and had freshly made fruit juice with the driver and the guide. At Addis we met by Eskinder at Bole Airport and taken to our hotel.
