Day 18 Around Aksum and to Mekele.
We had a slow start and then headed out to the underground tombs and obelisks. It all dates back to 200AD and some of it only very recently discovered. Again like the pyramids in Cairo these great chunk of granite, some 23 m tall, were brought in and erected.
The ride to Mekele passed quite close to an ancient hilltop monastry called Abre Dom so we stopped off to have a look. It was easy to find but not so easy to get in. The door is 25m up a vertical cliff face. We had to climb up with the aid of a home made rope and a safety harness made of animal hide. At the top was an ancient old man who was doing the pulling. It was easily the most scary part of the trip to date. Also they way out was the same as the way in.
We’re now in Mekele and hopefully head to Lalibele tomorrow. It’s our last stop off before Addis but unfortunately 175km off the main road. It should be worth the effort to get there.
Still have difficulties with internet connections but I am trying.
Jim
We had a slow start and then headed out to the underground tombs and obelisks. It all dates back to 200AD and some of it only very recently discovered. Again like the pyramids in Cairo these great chunk of granite, some 23 m tall, were brought in and erected.
The ride to Mekele passed quite close to an ancient hilltop monastry called Abre Dom so we stopped off to have a look. It was easy to find but not so easy to get in. The door is 25m up a vertical cliff face. We had to climb up with the aid of a home made rope and a safety harness made of animal hide. At the top was an ancient old man who was doing the pulling. It was easily the most scary part of the trip to date. Also they way out was the same as the way in.
We’re now in Mekele and hopefully head to Lalibele tomorrow. It’s our last stop off before Addis but unfortunately 175km off the main road. It should be worth the effort to get there.
Still have difficulties with internet connections but I am trying.
Jim
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