SEYCHELLES: Restaurant Review: La Plaine St. André

The restaurant at La Plaine St. André is housed in the main building of a heritage site that was originally established as a planter’s homestead over 200 years ago. An opportunity to dine amidst this pristinely preserved piece of living history is an honour in itself, even before you have even put the first bite of La Plaine St. Andre’s delicious cuisine to your lips.

ETHIOPIA: Gondar - History and Heritage

“ Ish, ish” ( “ok, ok” to you and me) says the old man in response to my request.  As his hand strikes the centuries old cowhide and the drum thump echoes against the walls of the ancient church, a tingle rises up my spine as goose-bumps break out on my skin.  Standing in the majesty of this centuries old place of worship, listening to the rhythm

ETHIOPIA: Debre Zeit - The Five Lakes District

05:30 a.m. The shrill of my alarm yanks me from a deep, sweet sleep. Groggy, puffy-eyed, I’m not quite sure where I am or why I am being woken up . . . then it hits me! Ethiopia! I snap out of bed, and in an instant my shoes are on my feet and my camera is in my hands, and I’m scampering out of the door to make sure I don’t miss it.

ETHIOPIA: Addis Ababa - Ethiopia's 'New Flower'

“Ameseginalehu”, I say as another bright eyed Abyssinian goddess hands me my third ice cold ‘St Georges’ beer in the warm midday sun.  She smiles a laugh, not mocking my mispronounced and accented version of the Amharic for ‘thank-you’, but in a humble kindness that I have become so accustomed to in Ethiopia. I turn to leave with

ETHIOPIA: An overview and introduction

Ethiopia is internationally stigmatised by the devastating famine that claimed the lives of over 1 million of its people during the mid-1980s. So strong were the images and stories from that catastrophe that they still resonate almost 30 years later in the minds of many who have not yet had the privilege of visiting the country.  But this is not the

ETHIOPIA: Trip Route and Daily Intinerary

DAY1: Flew Ethiopian Airlines from Mahé to Addis Ababa, then drove from Addis Ababa to Kiriftu Resort and Spa in Debre Zeit.

DAY 2: Tour of the many beautiful resorts around the lakes of Debre Zeit, followed by a cultural evening and banquet

ETHIOPIA: Travel Diary - What an Honour!

Today we had lunch at the late Emperor Haille Sellassie's Palace in Bahar Dar. The Palace is closed to the public, and guarded by men with AK47's. No one is allowed in. None of the Ethiopians who were with us today had ever set foot beyond the gates. You will not find a single picture on the internet that has not been taken from outside the walls. What a blessing, what a privilege!

ETHIOPIA: Travel Diary - Blue Nile Falls

Today we saw the Blue Nile Falls. It is an hours bus ride from Bahir Dar, down a bumpy dirt road through some of the most beautiful country side I have ever seen, and rich in rural Ethiopian culture. We arrive in a village, and have to walk for a about 15 minutes through village and pasture, among local and cattle. We reach a river and are ferried across on a dodgy old boat. We walk some more. No more village, but still villagers and cattle. We walk

ETHIOPIA: Travel Diary - Day 3

Wow what a day! Up at 04:00 am for flight to Bahar Dar. Boat ride across lake Tana to the Zegheit Peninsula to visit an active Monastery built in the 14th Century. Then lunch at the Palace of Emperor Haille Sellasie. Then 1 hour bus along rural dirt roads to Blue Nile Falls. A hike, a boat trip and another hike through rural village/farm land to get to falls. Topped it all off with banquet in our honour hosted by Department of Arts and Culture, with

ETHIOPIA: Travel Diary - Day 1 and I'm Smitten

"Ethiopia has stolen a piece of my heart! Day 1, and Im smitten! Its the people, really it is. Its beautiful here, extremely beautiful. But just as beautiful as all of Africa is. Its the people, and the culture . . .the hospitality and the ethos. . . and its all so genuine, sincere. Every one I met is passionate about Ethiopia, and sharing it with the world. . . hells, I'm passionate bout Ethiopia, and I just want to share it with all of you. Coming here I expected to be

ETHIOPIA: Travel Diary - Arrival

Have arrived in Ethiopia safe. Business class is Legit! Thank You Air Ethiopia - the best flight I have ever had! Arrived at Addis Ababa International Airport and drove through city in cover of darkness, to the 5 lakes area of Debre Zeit, about 45 minutes outside of Addis.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS? The people here are so beautiful, inside and out, and the friendliness and hospitality is