Picture Gallery 13 - Northern ETHIOPIA - Lake Tana; Gondar
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Northern ETHIOPIA - Addis Ababa to Gondar and onto Sudan Border
After getting our Egyptian and Sudan Visas, we left Addis Ababa behind and headed to Bahar Dar - Lake Tana and its monasteries, then onto Gondar and its old ruins, then onto the border with Sudan.
Northern Ethiopia (pics from left to right) - From Addis Ababa we spent the whole day driving above 7,000' except for the drop into the Blue Nile Gorge - for the whole time we were amongst farm land – small plots abutting one another stretching over hill and dale to the horizon; arrived at Bahar Dar and Lake Tana and its monasteries.
Northern Ethiopia (pics from left to right) - Had a morning out on the lake, visiting a few of the monasteries. We were lucky enough to come across this local fisherman in his papyrus made boat!! (They can make them a lot, lot bigger than this); We went to see the Blue Nile Falls - sadly just a shadow of its former splendour before the hydro dam was put in, but with the rainy season in full swing, what was left of the once extensive falls was flowing really well; Ron with one of his ‘guides' for his walk to the falls; Travelling to Gondar we passed through an extensive flooded area, which was well into production for rice – all ploughed with oxen!!
Northern Ethiopia (pics from left to right) - Had a morning out on the lake, visiting a few of the monasteries. The old Christian Orthodox churches we saw were circular in design, the outer area inside the outside doors – the ‘portico' open to everyone and the inner sanctum – the ‘maqdas' - is reserved for the priests and monks – the outside walls of the maqdas are richly decorated in scenes from the bible and from the legends of the martyrs, such as Saint George the slayer of the dragon.
Northern Ethiopia (pics from left to right) - Our next stop was Gondar and its many ruins and old Selassie Church with its dome full of smiling angels (painted in the 1600s); there were quite a few beggars in and around Gondar – such as this old man who was sitting at the entrance to Kuskuam Castle.
Northern Ethiopia (pics from left to right) - Gondar - Kuskuam Castle of Empress Mintewab is a World Heritage Site and is being renovated slowly; transportation in the streets of Gondar – we don't wan't to ever come back as a donkey or horse in Africa!!!
Northern Ethiopia (pics from left to right) - Gondar - Went for a wander down the local ‘market' end of town – it was a very busy place; typical – the goats or sheep just laze on the road wherever they want; a local lad with his chooks off to market; a local lady (beggar) and baby on the streets of Gondar.
Northern Ethiopia (pics from left to right) - World Heritage Site of the Royal Palace situated in the heart of Gondar. Most of the castles contained within the high walls date from the 1600s when Gondar was the capital of the country; Ron & Viv outside the main palace; The drive west from Gondar to the border descends the plateau and the scenery is very spectacular as the road winds down into a vast cliff-lined valley.
