http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Djibouti/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Africa , Djibouti en-us Sat, 26 Jul 2008 08:01:24 BST Sat, 26 Jul 2008 08:01:24 BST Djibouti is one of the smallest and most expensive countries in Africa. A small glass of beer in a restaurant cost US7 At that price teetotalism seemed a very attractive prospect I didn't get out of the capital city during my stay as I was concentrating on trying to get Visas. As a result I at least enjoyed the good but expensive cuisine in the restaurants. The good food is a result of t http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Djibouti/blog-272447.html Untitled I got to Ethiopia just last week on the Wednesday the 4th to be exact. A couple of days later we set off to Djibouti for the weekend for an AU Conference. Djibouti the city that is is a wonderful city right on the water. However it is probably the hottest place i have ever been to. Compared to Khartoum the climate in humid making it feel like a sauna. The city itself is very much a http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Djibouti/blog-180782.html In our guide book we have read the following information the daily cost in Djibouti was 3 times the other African countries country had many foreigners and an strategical high tech sea port. With this information we imagined that would be a rich country beautiful and clean Higher cost of living and easy to travel many foreigners. But once we arrived the big surprise. Even thought everyth http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Djibouti/blog-163891.html A month ago I was still in Djibouti enjoying my final days in Djibouti and right now Im already in another continent. What had happened in Djibouti was like a dream to me that I'll never forget..... http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Djibouti/blog-114098.html Again we have revisited the Lac Asal...... http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Djibouti/blog-81534.html The passangers from the Air France A340 crammed into the small terminal to wait for the baggage. To make matters worse there were two conveyor belts and you could not see both at the same time. There were a lot of soldiers on that flight and a lot of camoflaged duffel bags unloaded from the plane. The night we arrived was the World Cup final. In Arta we watched the game on the huge tv scre http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Djibouti/blog-74569.html The day everyone has been waiting for has arrived. Toby Keith came to visit us for a small concert.The band was in rare form and American Patriotism was at it's best. I must say I just recentlyheard of him but my mind clicked when some saidRemember himHe's the one who slammed the Dixie Chicks for their comments in Europe. Then I remembered who he was. Nonetheless I became a groupie li http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Djibouti/blog-66204.html Another island in Djibouti http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Djibouti/blog-64455.html I haven't got any pictures from the local market But I remember somehow what was on sale. It was a large vegetable fish and meat market. I also remember the sale of the khat . It's a bunch of leaves that the locals like to chew and chew for hours. it's classified as a drug and consumers spend loads of money into it. They say that it enhances alertness and concentration and that is good to use for http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Djibouti/blog-57208.html Here are some pictures of camels I took on the way to the lac Assal.I have noticed that some picture look blueish. The black volcanic environement has certainly something to do with it. I have come across similar pictures on the web and the result is the same. The sun reflection on the black rocks would produce this kind of blueish hazy result I should think. http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Djibouti/blog-57197.html The forest of the Day pronounced dye or die.During my time with the army I had the opportunity to be part of a training mission that took place in the Forest of the Day. We went up there because the hot season had begun and the best way to escape the rising heat of the valleys was to set up a camp high in a mountain top or plateau.The forest is at 1500 metres altitude and the day temperatures ar http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Djibouti/blog-57191.html Moucha and Maskali islands off Djibouti coast are about 30 to 45 minutes away from the Port and a few Djiboutian francs for the fare.We use to spend most of our week ends there swimming snorkelling fishing and barbecuing. The place is a real dream for divers. The coral reef is splendour and the colourful fish a delight to the eyes. The sand is hot and so bright sun glasses are a must.It is so http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Djibouti/blog-57183.html I dont know what's the name of the island I called it Fantasy Island but it's a bit sad that in this beaustiful island is only meant for French army. All the facilities here are built for French military or legionaires only. Other people can visit the island but are prohibited of using the facilities. I was warned that even the toilets are meant for the French army only while I was actually in http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Djibouti/blog-55988.html Day started out like normal. Heard the hustle and bustle of the large trucks loaded with vendors and their wares. Seemed like a good MWR function until I went shopping and saw the prices. Looked at several items that I had seen out in town. They were unbelievably high. One item I looked at the vendor wanted 150 US dollars. Couldn't believe it. Finally found some items that I wanted and tal http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Djibouti/blog-55986.html My thoughts for this dayI was able to convince my boss to go out on a camp sponsored shopping trip as I had done a couple of weeks ago and enjoy himself. Upon his return he told me about how he had seen some small children that appeared to have nothing to their names. He handed out 1000 Djiboutian Francs equivalent to 6US to this child and out of nowhere he was inundated with children wanti http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Djibouti/blog-55945.html Just a few pictures of some of my friends during our little celebration. http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Djibouti/blog-55739.html Just wanted to explain this. There was a new Chief that came onboard here. Blonde hair about my age. As the Chief's mess began talking we realized that she was from Texas and she somewhat reminded me of a southern belle. They started calling her the new shiny penny. I saidWhat does that make me I'm a new Chief too They all repliedYour the Crusty Penny. LOL And there it is. Further http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Djibouti/blog-55729.html Our office decided to go to the local Cheetah Refuge. Once again we went on buses but this time I went with my whole legal staff. It took about 2030 minutes to get there. Roads were unbelievable. Apparently we drove right by the local dump. I wish I had gotten pictures. It was like nothing I have ever seen before.AnywayI was able to get a couple of pictures of some roaming camels and altho http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Djibouti/blog-55724.html Well today was an interesting experience. Went with a group of people to the local market to buy some gifts. We went on 2 buses and their were about 30 of us. Met a guy names Ralph who you will see in one of the pictures. We talked a little on the way to the market and he had been out before so I decided to stick with him.First stop was the basket market. Women making wicker type basket http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Djibouti/blog-55719.html A bit tired this morning. Friends wanted me to go out and drink a little last night. It's funny since I've been here I haven't felt like drinking. Guess maybe I've exchanged some stress for a different kind of stress.Had 2 hours indocrination this morning. General from 5th Fleet flew in to greet us. Awfully young. Our guys that are transporting our weapons got held up temporarily therefore http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Djibouti/blog-55699.html Feeling quite upset about having to leave my family. I know I have alot of support from friends and family but somehow 365 days still seems like a longtime. 2 helicopters crashed last week with 10 deaths and 2 survivors. Obviously that upsets the family. I look at it as my 1st Jagman on a long journey. Jeff asked if I was going to find Osama and what a hero and millionaire I would be if I fou http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Djibouti/blog-55682.html Bon Jour We are still here in Djibouti and decided to have another tour around town short tour. We are including pictures of some of the tour highlights. A bit of shopping was done at what passes as the local shopping mall pictures included. Shopping is always an experience here since we soon find that we are a very popular couple. It must be our outstanding personalities and appearanc http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Djibouti/blog-54266.html I have kept these paper pictures with me for about 20 years. I used a camera Canon T70 at the time and they really came out nicely.The only trouble is that these photos donrsquot last eternally they deteriorate with time.For the first time I will publish them on my newly open travelblog and on my computer at the same time. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I do.LAKE ABBE DJIBOUTI. A Hot http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Djibouti/blog-53149.html Now I know Djibouti has two town centres one for the foreigners which is nearer to the embassy area where we can find all the pubs french or chinese cuisines pharmacy parfume shop as well as some government offices here......the streets are crowded of french every weekend and things are expensive.....due to french invasion the living standard here is as high as in Europe or even higher. Mo http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Djibouti/blog-50909.html It has been two months since Im here and this is the first time I see the real Djibouti. It's a small country but the landscape is so dramatic Here's some photos I've taken along the way to and at Lac Asal Salt Lake....too bad most of the photos taken are underexposed...... http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Djibouti/blog-50170.html