Destination: Ethiopia

Photos: Kombolcha

Sat, 2 Mar 2013 | By kiwiaoraki | Photo Gallery

Cornered Rat

Fri, 1 Mar 2013 | By kiwiaoraki | Views [935]

It's the beginning of March, and I've been in Ethiopia for an entire month now! Certainly it's been an experience of a lifetime, and today I have another crazy adventure to add to the "Farrell Chronicles." Yesterday I visited Bet Giyorgis and the Northern ... Read more >

The X-rock

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 | By kiwiaoraki | Views [1312]

It's the symbol of Lalibela, if not Ethiopia. The Church of St. George (Bet Giyorgis) is the most striking of Lalibela's rock-hewn churches. Shaped like an "X" or a Greek cross, it is carved from solid rock and it's in a trench on its own away from the ... Read more >

Photos: Lalibela

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 | By kiwiaoraki | Photo Gallery

Photos: Maychew

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 | By kiwiaoraki | Photo Gallery

PCV Lizzie

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 | By kiwiaoraki | Views [1678]

Lizzie meets me as I'm having a cup of tea at a small restaurant in downtown Maychew. She's a Peace Corps volunteer (PCV) whom I've been in touch with for awhile via CS, and I'm finally here to take up her offer. Maychew is pronounced like "my chow" ... Read more >

Photos: Danakil Depression

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 | By kiwiaoraki | Photo Gallery

Earth's Centre, or another planet?

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 | By kiwiaoraki | Views [2479]

Florian, Adrien, and I would embark on an extraordinary journey this morning! To the centre of the Earth (enter Jules Verne)? Or perhaps to another planet? Whilst it feels like either is possible here, we climbed aboard a 4WD and journeyed down into ... Read more >

Mek'ele

Wed, 20 Feb 2013 | By kiwiaoraki | Views [2274]

A journey around Ethiopia can really take its toll; physically, emotionally, mentally, psychologically, and socially. From filthy bathrooms to restaurants with half of what's on the menu not available, someone not understanding you at all to someone ... Read more >

Photos: Mek'ele

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 | By kiwiaoraki | Photo Gallery

Through Tigray

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 | By kiwiaoraki | Views [2026]

All bit up by mozzies last night, I was annoyed. Walking with the stars still shining with a glimpse of Scorpio I felt slightly better. Being driven in a minibus in the opposite direction of Axum's bus station I was even more annoyed! Bags of puke being ... Read more >

Photos: Tigray

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 | By kiwiaoraki | Photo Gallery

Photos: Axum

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 | By kiwiaoraki | Photo Gallery

Anne and the Ark

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 | By kiwiaoraki | Views [2961]

The word "ark" conjures up many images: Noah's Ark, a Star Trek-style interstellar ark, or a Biblical ark. I'm in Axum, reputedly home of the last of the three and perhaps the most famous: the Ark of the Covenant. Axum has been compared to Jerusalem ... Read more >

Dusty roads and Hairpin turns

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 | By kiwiaoraki | Views [1661]

Bante woke me early as I was set for an epic journey to Axum. I slept well last night and not a single flea bit me! As I had a cup of tea, Bante told me he couldn't get a hold of a friend who was driving from Gondar to Axum, and that even if he did I'd ... Read more >