Ethiopia (Part 3)

4 October 2012.After breakfast we walk down to the Stellae Field. These are massive stones which may or may not be grave stones. Our guide tells about the legend mixed up with myth and a hint of fact to explain the stones. There are also tombs which resemble those in the valley of the kings in Egypt. We have lunch in a cafe in the main street of Aksum which is run by Americans of Ethiopian descent. After this we go to the Queen of Sheba Palace. As it is explained the ruins we see are on top of the palace. You are starting to lose me. Credibility is further stretched when the men visit the church that holds the Ark of the Covenant.

5 October 2012. It's a short drive to the Airport, then a long wait as a member of an Israeli group refuses to be searched in private. Not sure how its resolved but we end up flying to Lalibela. After checking in at the hotel we head off to check out the rock churches some of which have UNESCO built roofs over them. Our tour leader Kaleb is unwell and has to return to Addis Ababa. This means that the local guide can do their job in peace. The churches are amazing but why were they built?

6 October 2012. We drive for 2 hours and cover 42 kilometres as we visit another church, Yemrehanna Kristos. The Ethiopians need to do something about their roads. After enduring a boneshaking 2 hour return journey to Lalibela and lunch, we climb through and over some more rock churches. The last church we visit is Giyorgis and it is spectacular. It is carved 15 metres down into the rock. For dinner the tour group strolls from the hotel  to a local restaurant but almost stage a walkout when we discover that beers cost more than a $1.00 each! Back at the hotel we play some Beatles music in honour of the 50th anniversary of Love Me Do.

7 October 2012. The Roha Hotel has a very poor dinner menu but the breakfasts are great including 3 fried eggs and wonderful coffee. It's a scenic 30 minute drive back to the airport followed by a 45 minute flight back to Addis Ababa. Later in the day we head down to the Global Hotel restaurant and order a coffee. We get a pot of the delicious brew, two cups each for about $1.60. An evening has been planned at Yod Abysinnia which ends up being a bit like the old Swagman Restaurant, Ferntree Gully. Yes that's right it is very ordinary. The night however was saved by the arrival of a bridal party and their dancing.
8 October 2012. We get access to our dcsi mail on the ipod and download photos of Berry which we show to all the Peregrine members. Then wander down the street and find a coffee and cake shop at which we sit for some time. It's a lazy day and evening and finally we get a lift to the airport. Notice that the burst water pipe hasn't been fixed after at least a fortnight and water is still flowing across the road.