Day 20 at Lalibele and to Kembolche.
We had a fantastic day at Lalibele and it exceeded our wildest dreams.
We visited all 11 churches that are hewn out of solid rock; some are 20m deep and date back to 1100 ad. They are quite remarkable when one considers that they were all built in 23 years and show the most remarkable detail. Even the pictures don’t adequately reflect the vast scale of what was created.
We departed at midday and arrives Kembolche at 7 as it was getting dark. We had 40km of dirt and then onto a new black top road the Chinese are building. After yesterday’s slog it made for much easier riding.
We are now out of sight seeing mode and now need to get out of Ethiopia. We should get to Addis tomorrow and then 2 days later the border.
Justin had his phone pinched yesterday and his wallet today. Not sure how this happened but he’s we’re all a bit bleak and feeling a bit shattered. A bit of a mystery as to how and when it happened. Also this hotel is a dump with no electricity, fortunately a generator, and no running water.
There are no electronic banking facilities in Ethiopia so we’re a bit stressed about the cash situation down to Nairobi. It should be alright provided nothing more goes wrong.
My bike is still overheating, but intermittently, and also a worry.
We’re all bushed so I’ll do more in the morning before we leave.
Jim.
We had a fantastic day at Lalibele and it exceeded our wildest dreams.
We visited all 11 churches that are hewn out of solid rock; some are 20m deep and date back to 1100 ad. They are quite remarkable when one considers that they were all built in 23 years and show the most remarkable detail. Even the pictures don’t adequately reflect the vast scale of what was created.
We departed at midday and arrives Kembolche at 7 as it was getting dark. We had 40km of dirt and then onto a new black top road the Chinese are building. After yesterday’s slog it made for much easier riding.
We are now out of sight seeing mode and now need to get out of Ethiopia. We should get to Addis tomorrow and then 2 days later the border.
Justin had his phone pinched yesterday and his wallet today. Not sure how this happened but he’s we’re all a bit bleak and feeling a bit shattered. A bit of a mystery as to how and when it happened. Also this hotel is a dump with no electricity, fortunately a generator, and no running water.
There are no electronic banking facilities in Ethiopia so we’re a bit stressed about the cash situation down to Nairobi. It should be alright provided nothing more goes wrong.
My bike is still overheating, but intermittently, and also a worry.
We’re all bushed so I’ll do more in the morning before we leave.
Jim.
hope yr luck will change with respect to wallets and phones hear that u were drinking cold cold beers in addis so at least u still had money for essentials travel well and feed that blog
ReplyDeleteTwo things: you should be able to draw money with a credit card from some branches in Ethiopia, just not from ATMs and not from the National Bank.
ReplyDeleteSecond, don't count on getting cash off a card in Moyale. But you can in Marsabit.
And good luck on the Bandit road. I'd be ready to lose a shock.
ReplyDeleteJustin howzit, tried calling you today. Got through to your office only to find ur phone stolen. Are you back in JNB next friday the 3 rd. Party time. Keep on truking boet. speak soon.
ReplyDeletePG
Seems as if you guys are having an amazing time. Enjoy.
ReplyDelete