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Trade Travel Links |
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The
Historic Route: Bahir Dar, Lake Tana, Blue Nile
Falls En
route to Lake Tana, I spotted a huge resort hotel
complex nearing completion &emdash; a sign of
positive things to come. After checking into our
hotel, we boarded a motor launch for a spin around
Lake Tana, which is Ethiopia's largest lake. We're
told there are 37 small islands on the lake, and
most of them shelter monasteries and churches, some
dating back to the 13th century. On most inland
bodies of water of this size, one might encounter
powerboats and sleek sailing craft, but on Lake
Tana in Northern Ethiopia, leisure gives way to
practicality. Here, the waters are alive with a
fleet of 'tankwas' , papyrus canoes, carrying
charcoal and firewood to market in Bahir Dar.
Nature's
Brush, Fields of Gold and Smoke of Fire The
Ahramic name for the Blue Nile Falls is 'Tissisat'
or 'smoke of fire' &emdash; which describes what
many claim to be the most spectacular waterfalls in
Northern Africa. Here a wide body of water drops
over a sheer cliff more than 45 meters deep. In
many photos I have seen, that curtain of spray
kissed by a brilliant rainbow. Speaking of rainbows
and pots of gold &emdash; in September I'm told
it's a sure sign of spring, when the 'Meskel"
flower turns entire hills and fields to
gold. Footnote:
Back in Addis Ababa, it was our turn to be
interviewed -- this time by Ethiopian press, radio
and television. To a person, each journalist agreed
it was a positive experience with no feelings of
concern or anxiety about personal health and
safety. The climate in mid February was perfect,
and the hospitality of the people was second to
none. What a beautiful prelude to the ATA congress,
Africa's 1st major tourism event of the new
millennium. More to come, including map and
photos. More
to come |
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A
pleasant surprise occurred on day 3 of our Historic
Route journey through Ethiopia. Following a short
flight on Ethiopian Airlines from Gondar to Bahir
Dar Airport, the gut-wrenching condition of the
road leading west led me to believe our group of 11
journalists would be staying at some dusty lakeside
village. However, like several of my colleagues, I
was completely bowled over when tall palms and
jacarandas suddenly appeared out of the blue. Like
part of a royal procession, we entered a modern,
well laid out community with broad, tree-lined
boulevards. Bahir Dar would rival many seaside
retreats on the Mediterranean or
Florida.
In
February, the Jacaranda trees are in full blossom,
painting city boulevards and village streets in a
soft violet hue. It's a signs that will live in my
memory forever. On a peaceful hill near Emperor
Haile Selassie's Bahir Dar palace, overlooking the
Blue Nile, we stopped to mark the moment on film.
How fortunate that the royal gardeners had the
foresight to plant a mile long stretch of
Jacarandas to frame the entrance to this regal
spot. |
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