On our way out

We had enough!!! After 14 days of half hearted repair approaches, bureaucracy and foul attitudes, we decided to take Konstantin out of the Toyota environment and obtained the opinion of an independent repairer. Within minutes he was fed with some 'muti’ which stopped the water leak from the radiator. We left for a test drive of 250Km to the Awash National Park.

On the Nazret - Djibouti stretch, which is the best tar, but also the busiest road in Ethiopia, we were waved at by a civilian and a person with a camouflage uniform, equipped with an AK-47. We did not pay much attention, as we have been waved and screamed at before, at least a ‘million’ times. But then Uli noticed in the rearview mirror that by now the AK-47 was aimed straight at our car and ready to be fired. After a hasty retreat and being shouted at in the usual Amharic lingo, it was made clear to us by a “chat” chewing individual, that this was a customs control point and he directed our attention to a tiny handmade road sign obscured by some camels.

After explaining to them that we were on the way to Awash N.P. and were harmless tourists, we could proceed. A sigh of relief was heaved from both of us. In a split second your trip can turn into disaster and we have had enough of that already!

The emaciated herds of camels were huge in this area and all were on the move.

There was evidence of terrible accidents of trucks and trailers plowing into these herds on the busy highway.

The National Park was nothing much, except for the Awash falls, gorge and a beautiful quiet campsite, without any facilities, under huge sycamore figs next to the chocolate brown water of the Awash river.

We decided that we would and could take a chance and go south. The afternoon saw us at Lake Langano.

Our home for the night was the very imaginative built Sabana Beach resort. The main restaurant complex looks like a volcano cone, and is a popular weekend getaway.

The initial plan to visit the Bale Mountain, as well as the South Omo area was spoilt by huge dark clouds, indicating large downpours and we ignored the turn off and headed south.

Our last overnight stop in Ethiopia was Yabelo, before reaching Moyale the next day. Unfortunately it was again12H00 on a Saturday, meaning a three hour lunch break for the border officials.

During our waiting time, Uli noticed competition!

The border officials requested a ‘donation’ for ‘good service’ resulting in our last argument in Ethiopia.