Rest Day-Ethiopia

15th February 2011.  Bahir Dar, Lake Tana, Ethiopia.

With a good result of finishing with the leaders today, 3rd place, (but not on time) gave us a chance to go and buy our clothing for the night ahead.  I dressed up like a women and everyone got a photo with me.  We had a great night and some people went to great lengths in joining in the fun of looking really stupid for the night. Like usual there are always those who don't like to dress up, rather boring if you ask me.

16th February 2011.  Lake Tana, Monasteries and the Blue Nile George Falls.

today was up nice and early for our trip on Lake Tana.  the boat ride was a 1hour trip to the monastery.  the monastery was built in the 14th Century and paintings appeared in the 16th century.  After the boat trip we the went for the trip to see the source of the Blue Nile, at the Blue Nile gorge.  although it wasn't that spectacular it did give us a chance to go for a walk and see some of the beautiful Ethiopian countryside.  the villages along the way showed signed of complete poverty compared to central Bahir Dar.  People with donkey walking all over the place, women carrying huge loads on their heads going somewhere.  Bare feet is the go in this part of the world.

After a long day of activities we got back to town around 6pm, just in time to go and eat as much as we can for tomorrow we have a 162km ride with a 40km climb through the Ethiopian mountains, can't wait. 

the following week looks pretty intense with climbing everyday.

Matt will be posting daily blogs until I reach Addis Ababa in 5 days times.  Happy riding.

PS: I would like to post more photos but sitting in an internet shop waiting an hour to post 4 photos is not on. Kenya in 2 weeks will be much better.

The schedule for the next couple of days.

Inside the monastery on one of the islands on Lake Tana, Ethiopia.  It is said the monastery was built in the 14th Century.  The paintings were done in the 16th Century.  They look in pretty good condition for that age????

This is what I do in my spare time.

Typical afternoon in a bush camp.