We arose early to try and avoid being gawped at as we got out of bed, and we just managed it. The old man was back, somewhat relieved we felt that we were all in one piece, and of course news had spread that we were there and he had brought his friends - and grandchildren. We politely greeted them all and then ignored them as we ate breakfast as the sun arose across the lake. What a lovely sight. Our audience got bored and pushed off before we departed at about 8 am, our daily target time for departure. South [View Full Entry]

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Wow... being in Ethiopia is a real eye-opener. This is my first time in a true third world country, and it really makes you realize the different circumstances that people live in. Flying into Addis I got a great view of the surounding area - green and beautiful, but the streets are a different story. It is really hard to describe, poverty is everywhere - but it is just everyday life for the residents of this country. I met a friend in the airport, she is a PhD student working in the Bale Mountains National Park 450km southeast of Addis - [View Full Entry]

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Getting the local bus to Bale Mountains National Park, at Dinsho, we called in to meet James (who works for the Wolf Conservation Programme) before heading up Dinsho Hill. Meeting James was a stroke of luck for Clare as he had family staying, who were heading to Addis (or Finfinee as it is called in Afaan Oromo) on Thursday, and kindly offered to give her a lift as she was planning to go by bus. The headquarters compound at Dinsho is such a peaceful place. We walked to the top of the hill for lunch, stopping as Mountain Nyala crossed our [View Full Entry]

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