Ethiopia Travels

Sub-Saharan Africa is Fascinating Should be on every World Travelers bucket list, and you don't see tourist after tourist, like you in other parts of the world. Traveling to Ethiopia can be an incredible experience, as the country is known for its rich history, diverse cultures, stunning landscapes, and unique wildlife. Picture below I took of a local Man outside a rock-hewn church, Lalibela Ethiopia

Addis Ababa: Ethiopia's capital is a bustling city with museums, markets, and cultural attractions. 

Went from Washington DC to Addis Ababa on a direct Flight in March 2015. Addis Ababa Bole Airport has Visa on Arrival for USA Passport holders, expect long lines at Visa counters. Once outside the Airport, got a Taxi and was on my way to my Hotel.

Tip - Taxis do not have meters, offer to pay half of what the  taxi driver asks for.

Lady at my hotel making me some welcome coffee

My hotel arranged for a Taxi and  was off to see Entoto Hill, Mount Entoto overlooks the city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It is part of the Entoto mountain chain with superb views of the city,  there is a church, small museum and an old palace of Menelik the second. Menelik II was emperor of Ethiopia late 1800

Click on the Pictures to Enlarge

Video of my cab ride up the  Entoto Hill

On the way back I had my cab drop me off to the main street and I spent the day exploring Addis Ababa on foot. Pictures Below at the National Museum of Ethiopia

Next Day went to Lalibela Ethiopia to See the rock-hewn churches, Lalibela is a UNESCO World Heritage site

I wrote a blog post on the rock-hewn churches

http://www.arvinder.com/2015/12/lalibela-ethiopia-travels.html

In Lalibela people used to invite me to their house for coffee, once you are done with coffee I was sure they will ask me for money with sob stories and if I could give them $$, and I used to decline or basically didn't fall for it. Though if you are a coffee lover Ethiopia has some amazing coffee.
Below Friendly People I met in Lalibela who didn't invite me over for coffee.

Video of my trek to Asheton Maryam Monastery Lalibela and the photo below of a lady that lives along the way to the Monastery

Axum Ethiopia

From Lalibela took a Flight to Axum

At Axum airport, there are several people offering tour, I was approached by one, after some price haggling, I was off to see the city, besides a SUV driver and a guide, my tour included visiting

• The tombs of the kings Kaleb and Gebre Meske
• Palace of the Queen of Sheba, or what used to be the Palace of the Queen of Sheba
• Church of St. Mary of Zion
• Queen of Sheba pond
• Tour of the City
• Obelisk of Axum

The tombs of the kings Kaleb and Gebre Meske

The tombs are near the Adwa mountain range, a little out of the city. Kaleb was the king of Axum and Gebre was his son, as per my guide, little is known about them








Picture Below, The Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion claims to contain the Ark of the Covenant. My guide told me, only the priest is allowed to see the Arc

Queen of Sheba's pond

Above - Obelisk of Axum

Flowers Near the Obelisk and a Cactus Tree

My flight to Addis from Axum got canceled due to bad weather. Ethiopian Airlines put me up in a hotel for the night and I was on the first flight to Addis the next day.




My guide in Axum, what a great guy, super friendly and knowledgeable, also he didn't take me to tourist shops to buy stuff I didn't need.

Questions or Comments?