Today was a day at rest which started later than usual and gave us an opportunity to explore the remainder of the Lalibela churches. These structures and the engineering behind them did not disappoint and continue to fascinate with their beauty, simplicity and ingenuity. Our guide Abbeba was brilliant and recommend him to anyone coming to this part of the world..+251(0)911532650.
A problem that we have encountered in Northern Ethiopia is finding regular unleaded fuel as most fuel stations primarily keep diesel and so we needed to hunt around a little and eventually found a small garage that was able to sell us fuel decanted out of a drum…hhmmm, wasn’t so sure about this as I know that Katie is quite particular about her tipple and the last thing I need is to be stranded in the middle of nowhere with a blocked fuel filter!! Unfortunately there were no other available options and after taking the fuel through a funnel covered with a stocking that I had bought at home particularly for an event just like this she seems to be okay with it. Massey on the other hand could run on diesel!
After a second attempt at repairing my bike’s auxiliary fuel tank I seem to have finally closed the leaks from the accident on the Marsabit road and should hopefully have the full functionality from that tank back by tomorrow.
The Autocom radios on our bikes have given us nothing but endless problems and although my radio is now working after purchasing a R600 spare part whilst in the UK last week, Dale’s has now packed up and we have no ability to repair it. Whilst Autocom is probably okay for the autobahns of this world, they are unfortunately just not fit for a journey of this nature and we are now without bike to bike communications for the remainder of our journey.
We had dinner tonight at a brilliant small local restaurant called St Georges Beer and Coffee Bar. The local Injera (a type of pancake) served with Tibbs (bits of lamb or beef) and Shera (a chickpea sauce) is delicious and eaten by hand.A meal of Injera, tibbs and Shera for two, 6 beers and a bottle of Tij (honey wine) cost us R75-00 ($10) and a forthcoming hangover no doubt!! The locals here are so incredibly warm and hospitable, that one of them settled our bill without us even knowing about it!!
Tomorrow we leave early as we have a 450km run to Mekhele and the first 100km of which is dirt.
Lalibela Churches.
Our guide Abbeba.
Lalibela Churches.
Pensive Monk.
Lalibela.
Exploring the Labyrinths. It was so dark in this tunnel that it was not possible to see your hand in front of your face.
Lalibela Church.
Lalibela Church.
Local children being tutored by the monks.
St Georges Beer and Coffee bar.
