Axum

Axum is about a 9 hour bus journey north west of Mekele. Axum was where the Axumite empire had its roots. The Axumite empire rose about 100AD and reached its peak between 300AD and 600AD. 

Axum the modern town is a small dusty town with very few tourists. When you consider it is to Sub Saharan Africa, what the Pyramids are to northern Africa this is like finding gold! 

We were luck to have two colleagues of mine with us, so instead of having a bad guide we had the best - the guard on each monument who my friends got to guide us. These guards had been there for years and have heard every 'official' guide do their talks and also would have known the archeologists who actually did the digs..

There are stele from the third century AD and some King Bazens tomb is from the time of the birth of Christ. The Queen of Sheba (who had Menelik also known as David by King Solomon) has a palace and tomb here as well. It is well known for the Ark of the covenant which was brought back by Menelik from Israel.

There is also the big gaping hole where the Italians took a stele from, it now stands in the Piazza Di Porta Capena in Rome. They are waiting for its return. All the stele are monoliths i.e. made from one piece of stone - which equals Stonehenge and he pyramids for achievement. But for accessibility Axum gets top marks.

See Places for photos of Axum...

Arba Minch

Arba Minch is the main town in the southern area of Ethiopia The Omo Valley. The town is divided into two parts a couple of KM apart. It is situated in the rift valley between the lakes Chomo and Abaya. There is a national part there called Nech Ser (after the white grass that grown there. It is easily accessible by 4WD.

I managed to get a trip to the park and saw Burchills Zebras Swanes Heartybeasts, Dik Diks, lots of birds. We also went to the Corcodile market where the crocodiles look as they are having a market - no you cant buy them there! Lots of them and Hippos as well. We went in a steel boat for protection from the hippos not the crocs!

Nearby there are two towns we visited - Chencia and Dorse - the Dorse houses are famous - like bee hives.

Abbiy Adi

Adigrat

Adigrat is about 3 hours north of Mekele on the way to Axum. It is a beautiful City. When the border was open between Ethiopia and Eritrea, Adigrat was a very important town with a lot of goods travelling through it. Adigrat is surrounded by mountains and the area around it is famous for the rock hewn churches. 

Mekelle is the capital city of the National State of Tigray. The State of Tigray covers the most northern region of the Federal Democratic Republics of Ethiopia. It is bounded to the north by the State of Eritrea, to the west by the Sudan and to the east and south by the Afar and Amhara National States of Ethiopia. Mekelle is one of the growing towns in Ethiopia with an estimated population of 125,000 inhabitants. The federal as well as the regional governments have been providing incentives in order to attract investment in the area and many have done so. There are also a number of Non-Governmental Organisations and expatriates working in the area. Economically, things are improving and, with the end of the Ethio-Eritrean conflict, this progress is sure to continue.

Mekelle strands at about 1500m and is surrounded on most sides by mountains or foothills. The climate is very pleasant with an average daytime temperature of 24oC and with chilly nights in some occasions. The main rainy season occurs between mid-June and October, followed by a dry season that is interrupted in March and April by a short rainy season. During the dry season, the daytime temperature can reach at 35oC but the heat is dry with virtually no humidity. Generally the air is fresh and clear. The sky is vividly blue and unclouded in the dry season and during the rainy seasons the place is wet and muddy.

I visited Mekele to meet up with friends fro Alamata and Mekele. Mekele reminds me of a Mediterranean city with its weather and architecture.

From Maichew it took about 4 hours to get there by bus. The bus costs about 15 Birr (about £1.20 Stg). The road is very windy from Maichew to Mekele but the scenery is amazing.

Alamata:

Alamata is a town about the same size as Maichew and is at a much lower altitude. This makes it very hot. When I was there there were major road works on the road between Addis and Mekele this make it look a bit rough.

There are some beautiful mountains around Alamata. If you look well enough there is a tank that has now become a children's (both young and old, you know who I mean!) unofficial playground.

Korem:

Korem is the nearest reasonably sized town to Maichew. It is also part of the new road works and is being rebuilt at the moment. It is on the bus run from Maichew to Alamata so I have been here a few times. I know lots of people from Korem as quite a few are at the college.  Korem is within easy walking distance of Lake Ashenge. This is a beautiful and tranquil place. There is also fish in the lake which can be bought in Korem...