Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is the capital and largest city of Ethiopia. It is a relatively young city in its current location, being found by Emperor Menelik II in the late 19th century. At first sited atop Mt.Читать далее
Holy Trinity Cathedral, Addis Ababa

Holy Trinity Cathedral in Addis Ababa, unfortunately in a major renovation at the moment, is the seat of the patriarchs of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. It is here where the patriarchs are anointedЧитать далее
Debre Libanos Monastery

Debre Libanos is an Ethiopian Orthodox Monastery, whose Abbott is the 2nd most important person in that church. The monastery's history dates to the 13th century and it's founder, Saint TekleЧитать далее
North of Addis Ababa

Here are a few scenic views from the road in the northern part of Ethiopia. The 1st 4 are all looks at portions of the Ethiopian part of the Great Rift Valley of Africa. This country is simplyЧитать далее
Tis Abay

Tis Abay is the falls of the Blue Nile just downstream from Lake Tana (see another post). This is said to be one of the largest waterfalls in Africa, after Victoria Falls (see another post).
The 1stЧитать далее
On Lake Tana

Lake Tana is the largest lake in Ethiopia and is the source of the Blue Nile. This is said to be a crater lake, formed in an extinct volcano.
The 1st 2 pictures look at the approach to and the pointЧитать далее
Zeghie peninsula

The Zeghie peninsula is in Lake Tana. It's most important economic activity is naturally grown coffee. The trees grow wild and are harvested. The 1st picture is of a walkway there that passes throughЧитать далее
Near Gondar

These are a few views along the road heading from Bahir Dar to Gondar (not Gondor: I'm not due in Middle Earth until January 😉).
The 1st picture is God's Finger, a unique rock outcrop. The 2ndЧитать далее
Gondar

Gondar, in northern Ethiopia, is a former imperial capital. There is more here than Fasil Ghebbi and Trinity cathedral (see other posts).
The 1st picture is the view from my hotel. The 2nd and 3rdЧитать далее
Church of the Trinity, Gondar

The Church of the Trinity here is not the typical round church of Ethiopia. It is rectangular, following the tradition in Axum. I'm told an emperor wanted to move the ark of the covenant from Axum toЧитать далее
Fasil Ghebbi

Fasil Ghebbi is a royal compound in Gondar of about 7 hectares and containing some 20 buildings. Most are royal palaces, as each successive emperor built a new one. This fortress was the home of theЧитать далее
Simien Mountains

This is both a national park and world heritage site. It contains some spectacular scenery and many endemic species. All the pictures were taken between 3100 and 3500 meters above sea level.
The 1stЧитать далее
Awra Amba

Awra Amba is an intentional community founded in 1980 based on an ethos of mutual support and egalitarianism. The 1st picture is of their posted community "rule." I find this very positive, even ifЧитать далее
Lalibela

Lalibela is another former Ethiopian imperial capital in the north of the country. It's current fame relates to the rock hewn churches here. They are all attributed to King Lalibela (now SaintЧитать далее
Yemerehane Kristos cave church

This is a late Aksumite church built in a cave, probably in the 11th century, making it older than the more famous churches in Lalibela. It is located on a natural spring, and the water is consideredЧитать далее
Ethiopian Orthodox chanting

This is a brief example of the sung music of the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition. I recorded this during a service in the Golgotha Rock hewn church.
More Lalibela churches

Lalibela had been exiled to Jerusalem for about 12 years. When he returned, his older brother abdicated to him, and he moved from Axum to found his capital here. I'm told he came back with the missionЧитать далее
Harar

Harar is a walled city in eastern Ethiopia (well, at least the old town is). It is considered the 4th holiest city in Islam after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. The old city is a UNESCO world heritageЧитать далее
Awash

Awash national park was a bit of a disappointment. Even the rangers say there are no animals in the park. Here are a few pictures of what there is.
The 1st 2 pictures are Nile crocodiles. TheЧитать далее
Lake Ziway

Lake Ziway is a volcanic lake in the southern part of Ethiopia. It is a bit of a birding site, and fishing is s significant part of the economy here.
The 1st picture is of the lake. The island in theЧитать далее
Abinata-Shalla Park and Lake Lantana

Abinata and Shalla are 2 small lakes around which the small park is preserved. The 1st picture is typical of the park landscape. There are some animals here. The 2nd picture is an ostrich, and the 3rdЧитать далее
Halaba

The Halaba people are one of the many ethnic groups of Ethiopia. They live in the central Highlands of the country. These pictures are in a small village in the region.
The 1st picture is a typicalЧитать далее
Droze village

The Droze people are an Ethiopian ethnic group living in the highlands in the southern part of the country. They are perhaps most famous for their houses. The 1st picture shows these houses made fromЧитать далее
Lake Chamo

Lake Chamo is one of the Ethiopian rift valley lakes and lies within one of the national parks. The 1st picture looks along a section of shoreline where the lake has encroached and killed the trees.Читать далее
Ari village

The Ari people are another tribal group native to the Omo Valley of southern Ethiopia. The Ari are thought to be the largest and oldest tribe in the Omo region. They are well known agriculturalists,Читать далее