Ethiopia

Arriving early morning to a cool and overcast Addis Ababa after an overnight flight from Istanbul, we dropped the bags at the hotel and, after breakfast, started our Ethiopian journey with a city tour.
Ethiopia is one of only two countries in Africa never to have been colonised. A fascinating land unlike anywhere else on the continent, with a wealth of unique cultures, ethnic and natural diversity, and some of Africa's finest historic monuments.
Our itinerary planned to encompass both the north and the south, from Addis, up to the north of the country, known for its striking monuments that date back centuries and indigenous culture that sets it apart from its neighbours. To the south and the tribal lands of the Omo Valley.
From the monasteries of Lake Tana and the start of the Blue Nile, the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, local markets, and different ethnic groups, a busy tour around this interesting country.
Starting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, a relatively new city, founded by the Emperor Menelik II in 1887, and lying at an altitude of 2,400m, which makes it Africa's highest capital city. The name means 'new flower' in Amharic. Our first stop was the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, which gives an insight into Ethiopia's particular brand of Christianity. Built by Emperor Menelik to commemorate his victory over Italian forces at Adwa, it houses a small museum with a collection of important religious paintings, books, and artefacts. Here I tried a large drum, saw the tomb of Emperor Haile Selassie, and we also met the monk.
Then onto the National Museum of Ethiopia. One of the particular highlights of the museum is the partial skeleton of Australopithecus afarensis, better known as Lucy.
Internationally renowned, Lucy, also called Dinknesh in Ethiopia ("You are Wonderful"), was discovered in 1974. Lucy stood about 105 cm tall, short even for her species. She was a young adult when she died: her wisdom teeth were in place but not worn. Lucy was probably at ease on the ground but may have been more prone to tree climbing than modern humans. As shown by her long mandible, her face was projecting forward, as in apes, unlike modern humans.
The remains date back some 3.18 million years, when her body was slowly covered by muddy waters, preserving her bones from destruction until scientists discovered them in 1974.
A short drive up to Entoto Hills for an overview of the city. En route, a stop at the Sheromeda traditional clothes market, followed by lunch at Ethiopia's oldest hotel, “Taitu”.
A drive past the Mercato, one of Africa's largest outdoor markets, before returning to the hotel for a well-deserved rest before dinner after a long day.Read more