 | Ethiopia Things To Do | Tips 31 - 40 of 124 |  |
Popular Things To Do | Other Things To Do Tips | All Tips (124) The rock-hewn church Chirkos is a three quarter sandstone monolith. We climbed up till the level of the roof of the church and rounded the place. We were warned not to step at the natural roof of the church from the 8th century. At the top of the hill you see only the clocktower and can hardly imagine there is a church beneath you.
In the trees we recognized some parts of a car. We were asked to make noise by beating against these iron parts, while we were rounding the church. So we did.
The choosen location for the church was fantastic. So we had splendid views at the surrounding mountains. Leave a Comment Directions: Chirkos lies east of the highway from Adrigat to Mekele, 500 M from Wukro.
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In Ethiopia you can find three types of rock-hewn churches. The most famous are the churches in and around Lalibela, totally hewn out of the rocks.
In the Tigray, in the area between Adrigat and Mekele, you can find the second type, churches, half hewn out of the rocks.
The church here in Aksum is of the third type. It's the contra mould with the churches in Lalibela. To enter the church, you have to descend in this cross-shaped hole in the rocks, to reach the entrance-door of the church. The whole church is underground, so you don't see anything, even at a short distance of the place.
This church is not mentioned in the guidebooks either. So you have to ask somebody to show you the place.
For more information have a look at my Aksum page. Leave a Comment Directions: This church is 2KM north east of Aksum. Take the track along the Queen Sheba's Bath.
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Debre Damo is an orthodox monastery in the north, between Axum and Adigrat. It is located on top of a plateau, where nearly 60 monks live. There is a whole village made of stone up there, where the monks live. If you want your visit to be complete, you can stay overnight there. I did, sleeping at a monks house, and attended a magical mass service at midnight, where the monks sang and prayed by the candles light... great.
There is no electric lights (though there is electric power for the loudspeakers they use in big festivities), no telephone, no restaurants, no hotels... is kind of a weird village, the only things to do here is walk, talk and think.
This monastery is famous for being accesible only by ROPE! Yes, after reaching the base of the plateau you have to do the last part climbing a rope (helped by the monks).
No women allowed. Entry fee: about 5 USD.
This 9th century monastery was said to be founded by the 6th century Emperor Gabre Maskal. Leave a Comment
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Bahar Dar is a small town set on the southeastern shore of Lake Tana (Ethiopia's largest lake), where local fishermen still use papyrus boats, and just 30km from the spectacular Tissisat Falls. Here the Blue Nile creates 'smoking water', with amazing views of the Falls (see photo).
From Bahar Dar you must explore some of the ancient monasteries that have been built around Lake Tana, or on the many islands.These include Dek Stephanos with its priceless collection of icons, as well as the remains of several medieval emperors, Kebran Gabriel (closed to women), and Ura Kidane Mehret with its famous frescoes. The colourful local market at Bahar Dar is renowned for its weavers and wood workers. Leave a Comment
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This is my good friend and one time guide: Solomon Kasaye. Solomon was the first person I ever met in Ethiopia and we still keep in touch. He is a close friend and a very excellent guide. Would you like to see the real Ethiopia? Solomon is the man. He can show you how shared taxis work, take you to a chat house, any museum and also guide you throughout the beautiful rural south of Ethiopia. He really opened my eyes to what many tourists who never leave the hotel will not see. He also provides escort service to the Merkato and knows where and how the pickpockets operate. Please drop him an email if you would like to use his invaluable help. You can also email me if you need any help.
You can email him on:
imsolomonmensa@hotmail.com
- or -
gamoman2009@yahoo.com
All the best,
DAO Leave a Comment Website: imsolomonmensa@hotmail.com
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Across many places in Ethiopia you will see burned out armoured personnel carriers and tanks littering the countryside. My pictures were on the road to Gonder from Bahir Dar. I also saw these nesr the Gonder and Auxum airports. The trouble started one the Derg assumed power in 1974 and did not end until 1993. The Tigray people never agreed with Communist rule and paid a heavy price. As Tigray people inhabit both northern Ethiopia and Eritrea, they were seen as a double threat to the Derg.
During the 19 year struggle The Tigray people suffered famine and attacks from Derg controlled forces. Eventually this resulted in independence for Eritrea and the fall of the Derg. It is estimated that well over 250,000 people died during the protracted war and famine. These relics are a stark reminder of just how widespread and prolonged the violence was Leave a Comment Directions: These pictures were taken on the road between Bahar Dar and Gonder (travelling North) and they were all on the left hand side of the road. Clean the window inside and out before you set off. It helps with the pictures!Website: http://www.onwar.com/aced/nation/eat/ethiopia/fethiopia1974.htm
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At over 3000m above sea level the view from the Simien mountains is breathe taking. The Simien mountains are home to the Simien fox, a protected species, there are only a couple of hundred left in Ethiopia. Also there are Ibex and Gelada baboons. Leave a Comment Address: North of Addis Ababa.Other Contact: You will need an armed scout and
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If you have time, take the Ethiopian Airlines plane to Arba Minch and go on hippo and crocodile safari by boat!
Enormous Crocodiles on what is called The Crocodile Market will scares the sh** out of you when they approach the boat..But it IS safe, except from if you are hanging out of the boat with your camera...some tourists HAVE been eaten....
Anyway, be sure to tell the captain to go to the hippopotamus "market"....but don't push him to go to close - local guys are quit scared by the hippo...and for a good reason;) Leave a Comment
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HUNGRY? Really hungry? The largest and most filling breakfast food in Ethiopia is Yinjera Firfir. ‘Firfir’ means literally ‘torn-up’. Its hundreds of tiny pieces of injera soaked in kai wat (somewhat hot red sauce) and some meat and served folded in injera. Some places use more meat than others and ask for it with meat to ensure it’s in there. This will fill you up until your evening meal. That is a DAO guarantee! Leave a Comment
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Locally known as Fasil, the Ethiopian Emperor Fasilides had a problem during his reign of invading neighbours pillaging his towns and burning his churches. So in 1634 he built castles and fortified walls around his main town of Gonder and also around the churches. He was a very smart man and his castle – the only one in Africa – has only ever been defeated by time and tourists. Inside the Royal Enclosure are palaces, baths and evn lion cages. This is a must see on any tour of Ethiopia.
Please visit my Gonder Page for a lot more information and great pictures:
DAO’s GONDER PAGE Leave a Comment
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