Bahir Dar, Ethiopia Travel Blogs, Backpacking Bahir Dar

Vee L East Africa
Day11
I Ate in Bahir Dar
January 12, 2016 in Ethiopia
Apparently writting about my fears and short comings has taken it’s power away! I woke up this morning (around 4am of course, jet-lag hasn’t improved) feeling the effects of not eating; hands shaking, legs wobbly, not feeling top shape. But I was determined. We had planned for a 3-4 day hike in a couple days and I was determined to get my issues under control before then.

So I got up. I had a left over pastry for yesterday, kind of a mini banana bread or something, that I was determined to finish! Well believe it or not folks, I had about 4/5 of it and it felt like I was such a champ! Nothing could stop me! I took a super cold shower without even being fazed by it. We went out around 8am hoping to hitch a ride with a tour to monasteries on Lake Tana. I actually felt energized, the monasteries were beautiful and I could actually appreciate it. I had fascinating conversations with other tourist and actually managed to socialize without wanting to curl up into a corner. I was actually more talkative then Jack today! Unstoppable. Incredible what food will do for you. With my new found confidence we had a late lunch and I ate 2 pieces of pizza. I’m on cloud 9!

Bahir Dar has been beautiful. The monasteries showed some very particular cultural practises – shoes off before entering, they were circular with an inner circle only the priests could enter. The people are so proud of their culture. We were invited to have a cup of coffee – the beens coming from the island, roasted locally.

Of course the usual ‘tourist trap’ issues like we were told the boat ride to the peninsula where we would see the first ministry was 45 minutes, it took 1hr10. We were promised food at the first stop because Jack hadn’t had a chance to have breakfast yet, and there were bananas only (keeping in mind we left at 9am and returned at 230pm). Still one great experience, and just being on a boat, and the water, so relaxing.

Once back in town we took a walk along the shore of the lake. The nature was incredible and the bird watching was nuts! I know, sounds lame, but it’s always been something that I enjoyed, and colours and sounds of different birds. We stumbled upon a brand new church. We even walked far enough for the locals to finally start saying hi to us genuinely and not just to get something out of us.

Today was a great day. The beginning of a great trip.Read more
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Trip: East Africa
@ Ethiopia Amhara Bahir Dar
Jan 12, 2016 · Altitude: 1,806 m
11°34'27" N 37°21'41" E
Ballern Tour Ethiopian Research Trip
Day44
Lake Tana!
October 29, 2015 in Ethiopia
Nach einigen kuhlen Tagen in addis sind wir nun gen Norden gezogen um neue Gefilde zu erkunden! Die Busfahrt war der Horror, aber es gab ne super Aussicht! Zwischendrin wurde geklettert und getrunken, "wenn ich du wäre" gespielt (das kopftuch uns der Glitzer Hut) , jazz gehört, ein wenig die Stadt erkundet und neue Leute kennen gelernt. Morgen geht es dann auf den See und die Inseln anschauen, dann übermorgen an die Nilfälle!Read more
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Rick Weiß
Du alpha-kevin ^^
October 30, 2015
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Trip: Ethiopian Research Trip
@ Ethiopia Amhara Bahir Dar
Oct 29, 2015 at 6:23pm · Altitude: 1,785 m
11°36'8" N 37°22'55" E
Vee L East Africa
Day11
Thoughts by Jack in Bahir Dar
January 12, 2016 in Ethiopia
I know ya’ll were hoping for Vee’s inspiring words and funny posts, but I have thoughts too! A little different from hers…
As aforementioned, we landed in Nairobi only to leave the very next morning for the capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. I was a little surprised, (almost disappointed!) by how smooth both airports went. I was expecting chaos: It was not. Landing, getting the visas, finding a ride, finding washrooms: all was underwhelming. I came on this trip wanting to be challenged both personally and in my preconceptions of Africa: I know this isn’t just a World Vision ad of a starving child 24/7! Still, I viewed Africa as some “final frontier” for backpackers and independent travellers; there’s hardly any hostels and it’s expensive. Yet in our short time here I’ve realized that it’s like any other travel. You don’t understand the language, some people are super helpful, others less, but everybody needs to eat and sleep so you find those things easily. On the bus ride to Bahir Dar, I watched out the window among the blasting music of our bus to a landscape of yellow fields then red canyons and greens trees, dusty brown villages, blue skies and thin cattle with no sign of modern machinery. I had flashbacks of the trees near Aljoun in Jordan, the villages near San Carlos in Nicaragua, the children begging in Delhi and so forth. I felt at home like I often do when I’m lost. This isn’t the final frontier in any way, it’s just needs to be explored and I’m beyond excited to do so. I’m also, I won’t lie, excited for Vee to eat her first real meal. All in due time…till then, let’s go have fun!
ps. In case I dulled you into a fake sense of comfort, none of the toilets haver their seats or toilet paper for that matter. Just so you know!
Edit: Vee has eaten! I repeat, she has successfully had both an orange and pizza! *the crowd cheers* End of edit.Read more
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Trip: East Africa
@ Ethiopia Amhara Bahir Dar
Jan 12, 2016 · Altitude: 1,806 m
11°34'27" N 37°21'41" E