Day 4 Lalibela

Estimated Travel Time: 6 hours, Approximate Distance: 185 km Another long but scenic drive took us to the architecturally highlight of the trip. Lalibela is considered by many as the greatest of the religio-historical sites. It is registered as a UNESCO heritage site and it is the 8th Wonder of the World. Lying in the rugged Lasta Mountains at 2630m, Lalibela remains an isolated and undeveloped area. Among the dimly lit passageways and tunnels of the medieval churches, robed priests and monks meander and there is a lingering aroma of incense and beeswax candles. The churches, carved out of single rocks, date back to the 11th and 12th century AD but are still being used. the churches inside Lalibela town are grouped as the first and second cluster. In the afternoon we explored Lalibela's first group of churches. To my big disappointment an EU sponsored roof had been built over the churches. The roof was needed to protect them from leaks damaging the cultural treassons but the constriction was so massive and dominating that it was a real put off. Especially because this was the place that I had dreamed of visiting and taking photos of for many years. I stopped whining when where taken in to some really astonishing churches. In the evening a local kid guided be through some really cool narrow gorges. I was happy again. In the evening we tasted the local beverage Tej (honey wine) with local traditional song and dance. The woman that sang was fantastic. To see tourist dancing to local music after drinking Tej can at the best be described as "inventive".