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Considered as the Motherland of Humanity, Ethiopia has possibly the oldest settlement in the world for being the home of the earliest humans like Lucy, considered as the oldest, best preserved human fossil in the planet. Although no one knows if the Garden of Eden existed in Ethiopia, this country east of Africa is an Eden in its own right for having some of the continent's most well-maintained national parks and tourist attractions: medieval castles, rock-hewn churches, natural hot springs, and hostile environments.
Ethiopians are proud of their cultural identity as Africa's oldest independent nation and the continent's most bejeweled in terms of World Heritage Sites. They were never colonized so the locals still largely speak Amharic, follow their own 13-month calendar, and sometimes, even become xenophobic. Nonetheless, they are among Africa's most respectful people and are known for treating all people equally. They are particularly famous for their coffee ceremonies as the country is the origin of the coffee bean.
As the world's second oldest Christian nation, Ethiopia is full of medieval marvels such as the rock-hewn churches of Tigray and Lalibela, Lake Tana's centuries-old monasteries, and Gonder's 17th-century castles or "Africa's Camelot." Aksum, Axum Kingdom's former capital, has ancient tombs and soaring obelisks that in their heydays were envied by Egyptian pharaohs. Since the earliest days of Islam, a considerable Muslim minority has thrived in Ethiopia. The country was the first Hijira (migration) site in Islamic history and has the earliest ninth-century Sultanates, the oldest Muslim community in Africa (Negash), and the fourth holiest Muslim city, the ancient walled city of Harar.
A tropical monsoon dominates the Ethiopian air, making adventure a chilly experience especially in elevated areas such as Simien Mountains, Ethiopia's biggest mountain range, known to hikers and wildlife watchers for its precipices and ‘bleeding heart' baboons. Faded savannahs, Rift Valley lakes, zebra colonies and rare Abyssinian lions are the safari attractions of another park, Nechisar.
Thousands of avian wonders perform a ballet in the blue bays of Abijatta Shalla, while in the spa town of Sodere, natural hot springs and masseuses provide travelers some relaxation. The usual highlight of the spa experience is a huge campfire providing good opportunity for tourists from around the globe to meet each other and affirm Ethiopia's status as a crossroad between civilizations.
Ethiopia Traveler Advice
Ethiopia photography
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User blogs:
I wish I was Johann Ludwig Burckhardt
Some first encounters are ireplaceable, they can happen once and the impact is something you can't replicate afterwards, Imagine yourself being swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt (why do they have to have such complicated names? whats wrong with just Van Dam??), Johann was an explorer and toured the middle east/african region back in the 18th century, GPS was still an expensive gadget for young ... Read full Blog post
Moving to Manila
It was about a year ago, when I received phone call from my hubby asking me what do I think about Manila. I wasn't sure, I said I've been there before, memories rush to the surface of my mind. Crowded roads of jeepneys, the smell of exhaust, constant horning, traffic jams, YMCA's hotel, people selling food from small carts....I stayed only a day in Manila before heading down to Boracay about 12 years ... Read full Blog post
Volunteering for typhoon Ketsana victims
“There’s nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer,” says a general in the movie Pearl Harbor. True enough, typhoon Ondoy (internationally nicknamed Ketsana) may have proven its might by destroying hundreds of lives and hundreds more in houses and properties, yet this monster-of-a-calamity did not win in devastating the faith and Good Samaritan-spirit of thousands of men and ... Read full Blog post
Traveling back to my 2009 trips
Watching travelers in an airport coffee shop while waiting for my flight, I couldn't help but wonder what 2010 has for me when it comes to traveling. Of course, 2009 was a good one. I have covered almost 20,000 miles, visited four countries, and enjoyed several beaches and landmarks. It was my first time to cross the Pacific, expanding my journeys beyond Asia, and to travel during my birthday. Looking ... Read full Blog post
Destinations
See All- Addis Ababa
- Aksum
- Gondar
- Lake Tana
- Lalibela
- Lower Omo Valley
- Nechisar National Park
- Semien Mountains
- Sodere
- More destinations
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