Grand Canyon of Ethiopia - Canyon of Debre Libanos
a:Debre Libanos
r:Oromia
On day three of our visit, our driver took us out of the city into the countryside to the Grand Canyon of Ethiopia - the Canyon of Debre Libanos in Ethiopia. It took us approximately 2,5 hours in the car to get there, bearing in mind that you cannot drive fast on the roads as they are quite busy. People walk onto the road without looking, donkeys and many other animals are everywhere as well as some motor vehicles. Everybody uses the same road. Eventually, we get to this breathtaking canyon which could be the Grand Canyon of Africa. There is a simple lodge run by Germans, where we stop to have lunch. Before lunch, we take an hour's walk along the top of the canyon to enjoy the impressive views. Nature as far as you can see. And walking back we meet this monkey family racing past us and screaming loudly. I think they were as scared of us as we were of them...
Debre Libanos Monastery
a:Bolo
r:Oromia
(link: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debre_Libanos text: Debre Libanos) - Close to the Canyon is the monastery of Debre Libanos. It is market day in Debre Libanos the day we visited and all farmers from the area came to sell or exchange their produce. We drove past the market towards the monastery. There we had to buy tickets to do a tour of the church and the museum with our guide. Women have to wear a scarf over the heads which we got at the entrance together with our tickets. Our guide took us around the grounds, the church museum and explained the history and meaning of this monastery to the local area. The present church was built in 1961 and has no trace of the ancient monastery anymore due to past wars in the area. Debre Libanos still remains one of the holiest sites in the whole of Ethiopia.
Wenchi Crater Lake
a:Gimbi
r:Oromia
This beautiful lake called (link: http://www.wenchi-crater-lake.com/about.php text: Wrenchi Crater Lake )is located approximately 150km west of Addis Ababa and a minimum of a three hours drive. Wenchi is a highland area, situated in Oromia Regional state in South West Shewa Zone. The area is famous for its beautiful mountainous landscape, used mainly as farmland and partly covered by natural forest. When we arrived, we hired a guide to walk all the way down to the lake. We walked down the mountain, the beautiful lake always insight, and passing a small village. Someone in the village community died a few days prior to our visit and the funeral took place on that day. So everyone from the neighboring villages came to pay their respects. People and donkeys were dressed up festively for the occasion. Down by the lake we sat down to pause and admire the view and to have a sandwich which we brought along. At the lake, you have the option to go on the lake in a boat and row to the small island in the middle of the lake where an old monastery with a church is situated. Other attractions in the area include the hot mineral springs, waterfalls, and dramatic valleys around the lake. Which we didn't visit any of them in particular as we only had limited time available. Still a great day excursion!
