19/11/10

Jack and I travelled to a place called Debre Zeyit,just out of Addis to visit some crater lakes. We jumped on several minibuses where I had my knees up round my ears for several hours, and also enjoyed a ride on a tuc-tuc (kind of ped/car/bike thing) to our destination. Had a massive pizza each whilst watching the world news in some bar for lunch.

Our accommodation was sweeeeeet. Really pretty with all the bushes and foliage with pretty colours and loads of birds. Our wooden lodges were hidden amongst it all. Very romantic. However, I found jonnies in the cupboard in our room. I told Jack that it wasn't gonna happen. Sorry pal.

We dropped our bags and went off for a walk to the closest lakes. The views were stunning. These volcanic crater lakes are huge and the water looked emerald-like. So we got to the nearest point where we could get to water, only to be followed by a local and a herd of oxon on the way down for their afternoon drink. Got a great snap of a hummingbird on a wrecked boat in front of the Oxons.

Moving along the lake, we dropped into a bar. Again, the view was remarkable - but we just wanted to get in the water, preferably not with Oxons! We trekked down some steps after speaking to some local guy who told us he has a lovechild in England, and then slipped into the water. There were several other people, locals that were swimming around and out on the boat. But Jack and I kept it quite safe, as his Mom had warned us about the freezing temperatures under the surface! It wasn't that bad so we had a little splash before taking some more snaps and seeing some fish from a vantage point.

There was so much bird wildlife around the lake - tropical coloured birds similar that were bright red, little hummingbirds, birds with huge long beaks, small green birds, emerald blue-coloured-looking magpies, kites, vultures, eagles, shelducks, coots, white and black ravens, doves etc.

I took my top off to get some more rays as we walked to another one of the massive crater lakes. We got a bit knackered on the way so jumped on a horse and cart for a mile or so costing about 5p each.

At this Ethiopian air force club, there was a lovely restaurant overlooking the lakes with giant trees. We didn't stay too long and jumped on another horse and cart to the town centre of Debre Zeyit. I had to put my top back on because a lot of these being muslim, they weren't looking too pleased about me flashing again.

We trekked miles further in the heat, just so as I could find out if the yids were on the following day! We got our traditional avocado and tomatoes and bread to make a sandwich and headed back to our lodge. Also tried some kind of fast food like chip bites and samosas which were pennies! And nice!

It gets dark early here so Jack and I got the cards out at 6.45, pushed the boat out by having a few cokes before going to bed. (Dare I mention I absolutely battered Jack at all card games....Luck or is he just kak?)

Bedtime wasn't nice. Despite the cosy, supposed-to-be romantic-for-couples double bedroom, it was quite the opposite! All we heard all night was howling dogs ALL NIGHT and a rat or something running around the hut which I thought was inside, as well as the added worry of mosquitoes and the net securely tucked around us. Touch wood, Jack is 4-0 up on bites and we've been taking our tablets so shouldn't be getting any malaria! Will put photos up soon, ones above aint mine!