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Volume 27, Number 3July - September 2010Volume 27, Number 3July - September 2010

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Girma WakeChief Executive Officer, Ethiopian Airlines

RApid gROwth And pROgREss

JULY - sEptEMBER 2010

despite difficult times for the worldwide aviation industry,

Ethiopian is in good shape and steadily improving its product and services.

in March 2010, we received the first of the eight Q-400 next generation turboprop aircraft from the Canadian Aircraft manufacturer Bombardier. Ethiopian Airlines

plays a critical role in bringing the cities in the different regions of Ethiopia within easy reach of Addis Ababa, the capital. this effort is further enhanced by the introduction of Q-400 next generation aircraft. the new 78-seater aircraft will boost the capacity deployed on our domestic routes thereby supporting the ever growing tourism market of the country and the domestic business travel, which are growing fast alongside the economy.

in May 2010, we were delighted to announce that we have entered into an agreement with interglobe technologies (igt) to establish a call centre that will provide Ethiopian customers access to our services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. the project will be phased in between June and October 2010.

the call centre will compliment the company’s website and e-ticketing activities as customers now have the option to reach Ethiopian via the telephone at any time. the services cover reservations, sales, ticketing, flight information, flight irregularity handling, shebaMiles enrollment and support programmes and other similar queries.

we are experiencing rapid growth and progress in our operations throughout our network, especially in Africa having recently launched new services to pointe-noire, the second largest city in the Republic of Congo.

Finally, a word about our summer schedules. we have been able to increase flight frequencies to 20 of our destinations in Africa, Europe, Asia and the United states of America (UsA), effective from 16 June 2010.

the decision to step up frequencies reinforces the airline’s commitment to avail convenient and adequate services to our customers around the globe. passengers travelling on Ethiopian route network will now have more choices and flexibility as the result of the additional frequencies.

As always, on behalf of all employees of Ethiopian and myself, i thank you very much for choosing Ethiopian.

Enjoy your flight!

welcome aboard!Rapid Growth and Progress

Welcome aboard!

Despite difficult times for the worldwide aviation industry, Ethiopian is in good shape and steadily improving its product and services.

In March 2010, we received the first of the eight Q-400 Next Generation turboprop aircraft from the Canadian Aircraft manufacturer Bombardier. Ethiopian Airlines plays a critical role in bringing the cities in the different regions of Ethiopia within easy reach of Addis Ababa, the capital. This effort is further enhanced by the introduction of Q-400 Next Generation aircraft. The new 78-seater aircraft will boost the capacity deployed on our domestic routes thereby supporting the ever growing tourism market of the country and the domestic business travel, which are growing fast alongside the economy.

In May 2010, we were delighted to announce that we have entered into an agreement with InterGlobe Technologies (IGT) to establish a call centre that will provide Ethiopian customers access to our services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The project will be phased in between June and October 2010.

The call centre will compliment the company’s website and e-ticketing activities as customers now have the option to reach Ethiopian via the telephone at any time. The services cover reservations, sales, ticketing, flight information, flight irregularity handling, ShebaMiles enrollment and support programmes and other similar queries.

We are experiencing rapid growth and progress in our operations throughout our network, especially in Africa having recently launched new services to Pointe-Noire, the second largest city in the Republic of Congo.

Finally, a word about our summer schedules. We have been able to increase flight frequencies to 20 of our destinations in Africa, Europe, Asia and the United States of America (USA), effective from 16 June 2010.

The decision to step up frequencies reinforces the airline's commitment to avail convenient and adequate services to our customers around the globe. Passengers travelling on Ethiopian route network will now have more choices and flexibility as the result of the additional frequencies.

As always, on behalf of all employees of Ethiopian and myself, I thank you very much for choosing Ethiopian.

Enjoy your flight!

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� sELAMtA vOL. 27 nO.3

Volume 25, Number1January- December 2008

selamta, meaning ‘greetings’ in Amharic, is published quarterly for Ethiopian Airlines by

Camerapix Magazines LimitedpO Box 45048, 00100 gpO nairobi, Kenya

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©�010 CAMERAPIX MAGAZINES LTDAll rights reserved. no part of this magazine may be reproduced by any means without permission

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Camerapix Magazines Ltd

Rukhsana haq

Roger BarnardCecilia gaitho

sam Kimani Charles Kamau

Azra Chaudhry, U.KRose Judah

Rukhsana haqBelen dessalegnYenenah tekleyes

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Contents vol. 27 no.3 July - september 2010

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01 CEO’s Message

04 Ethiopian News

36 Enchanting Ethiopia

46 The Itinerant Traders of Old-Time Ethiopia

77 Domestic Route Map

78 International Route Map

80 Ethiopian Fleet

8� Healthy Travelling

83 Tips for the Traveller in Ethiopia

84 Ethiopian Offices

86 Dining Out in Ethiopia

87 Learn Amharic

88 Crossword Puzzle & Sudoku

REGULARS

8 Brussels – Europe in Miniature wouldn’t it be great if you could visit most of the fantastic sights of

Europe in one afternoon?

14 Old Jeddah – Echoes in Time Old Jeddah, the “Bride of the Red sea,” pays tribute to the city’s

past with its rich architectural heritage.

18 Welcome to Pointe-Noire Ethiopian welcomes pointe-noire, the second largest city and the

main commercial centre of the Republic of Congo, to its African network.

28 Hideaways off the Beaten Track discover Katavi and Lupita, two of tanzania’s little-known gems.

The views expressed in this magazine should only be ascribed to the authors concerned, and do not necessarily reflect the views either of the publishers or of Ethiopian Airlines. The printing of an advertisement in Selamta does not necessarily mean that the publishers or Ethiopian Airlines endorse the

company, product or service advertised.

DESTINATIONS

22 Green Peace – Hongkong Parks and Gardens walking through this place is like stepping from an urban

jungle into a real one.

32 The Kuriftu Personal Touch Brings Smiles to Bahar Dar

discover how a traditionally relaxing and soothing city and its landmark lake have now been even further enhanced.

48 Rapide Fire there’s nowhere on this Earth where you really need to go faster and,

more importantly, it feels faster than most cars in its class.

52 Une bouchée de la Grosse Pomme Faites un tour culinaire de new York et vous serez surpris et apprécierez l’incroyable choix de repas qui vous sera offert.

56 Homage to Arthur harar, a soul city, once home to Jean nicolas Arthur Rimbaud, the famous

French poet and prolific letter-writer.

60 The Secretary Bird discover this striking and distinctive avian predator of Africa’s

savannah and grasslands.

66 Flying the Frontiers You could soon be joining an elite band of explorers who have slipped the

bonds of gravity and reached for the stars.

70 Facts on Honey and Cinnamon it is said that a mixture of honey and cinnamon cures most diseases – an

extravagant claim, perhaps, but it has some merit.

SPORTS

FEATURES

Cover picture: The remarkable Secretary Bird of Africa’s savannah.

72 Defar Leads Ethiopian Indoor Domination in Doha Undefeated indoors since 2003, defar also holds one of the longest

winning streaks in indoor athletics with 27 consecutive wins.

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TRANSPORT FOR PILGRIMS CELEBRATEDin coordination with Alshamel international Ltd., the sole sales agent of Ethiopian for hajj and Umrah, Ethiopian hosted a dinner at the pullman teranga hotel in dakar, senegal, on 27 March 2010, commemorating the successful operation of the hajj 2009 operation from dakar to Madinah in the Kingdom of saudi Arabia. A gift was presented to h.E Mr. Ato hassen Abdulkadir, Ambassador of Ethiopia to senegal in recognition of his support and contribution in the effort to secure permit for hajj Charter Flights. Ethiopian transported more than 11,500 pilgrims from nigeria and niger in 2008 and more than 16,000 pilgrims from senegal, Cameroon, gambia, Ouagadougou, togo, Chad, Central Africa and Cotonou in 2009.

ETHIOPIAN NEWS

ANOTHER AWARD FOR ETHIOPIANthe annual indaba travel show was held in Johannesburg, south Africa from 8-11 May 2010. this year’s awards included prizes for leading tour operators, hotels and transport providers. Ethiopian was the proud recipient of the platinum award in the transport category.

AFRICAN GOODWILL AWARDSEthiopian was a major sponsor of the African goodwill Awards 2010 event held on 24 May 2010 at Culver City in California. the annual event has become a ‘must attend’ function in Los Angeles which attracts a wide spectrum of guests from hollywood to nollywood. the candidates for the African goodwill Awards are selected from a pool of nominations for any given year. the selection is based on a combination of factors and covers a wide range of accomplishments and contributions to humanity. through live footage and documentaries, the event showcases the challenges and accomplishments of these nominees whose commitment in great measure has uplifted and given hope to many underprivileged in Africa, the Caribbean and the inner cities of America. the event also celebrates individual career achievements and community service. Actor Blair Underwood, actor and former nFL (national Football League) star Jim Brown, and actress Ja’net dubois were among those who were honoured with an award.

Right to left: Receiving the gift, h.E Mr. Ato hassen Abdulkadir, Ambassador of Ethiopia to senegal from Mr. Yaarub Fallatha, Chief Executive Officer of Alshamel international Ltd. and Mr. Mustefa sall, the president of UnOphOM. Also present was Ato Mitiku Askrat, Area Manager senegal.

Left to right: haymanot Alemu, Ethiopian’s senior Marketing & salesRepresentative in the United states of America with Actor Blair Underwood and his wife, Mrs. desiree decost.

Above: group picture with Ethiopian’s Area Manager dakar, Ato Mitiku Askrat.

JULY - sEptEMBER 2010 �

NEW

DUBAI TOUR OPERATORS WELCOMEDA familiarisation trip to Ethiopia was organised for top tour operators and travel agencies from dubai. the tour, which included trips to Lalibela, Bahar dar, and the Rift valley lakes was conducted from 22-27 March 2010 in coordination with travel Ethiopia, a local tour operator.

TOUR OPERATORS HONOUREDtravel Agency awards were given out by Ethiopian at the white Restaurant in Rome on 27 April 2010 and at Ristorante saba, Milan, on 22 April 2010 to top performing italian tour operators and travel agencies. A similar travel Agency award ceremony was also held in Kinshasa and awards were presented to the best performing agencies.

CALL CENTRE UP AND RUNNINGEthiopian Airlines has made an agreement with interglobe technologies (igt) to establish a call centre that will provide Ethiopian customers access to its services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. the initial phase of the call centre service, covering north America, Europe and Asia, went live in June 2010. the project will be completed in three phases up to October 2010, covering the rest of the world.

the call centre will compliment the company’s website and e-ticketing activities as customers now have the option to reach Ethiopian via telephone at any time. the services encompass reservations, sales, ticketing, flight information, flight irregularity handling, shebaMiles enrollment, support programmes and other queries.

igt will manage the call centre operations from its centres in gurgaon (india) and Cairo (Egypt), supporting calls in English, French, german and Arabic, while setting up the infrastructure and process to handle Amharic and local calls in Addis with a similar system.

travel Agency awards were given to Kinshasa (top), Rome (Right) and Milan (Above).

NEW ROUTE: POINTE-NOIRE in line with the Airline’s commitment to expanding its route network within Africa, Ethiopian launched new services to pointe-noire, the second largest city in the Republic of Congo, on 16 June 2010.

pointe-noire is the commercial centre of the Republic of Congo. the city is the main source of the oil industry in the country, and indeed in central Africa. it is an important seaport for the country with famous beaches that attract tourists from all over the world.

Ethiopian will serve pointe-noire three times weekly, in addition to its daily service to Brazzaville, with Boeing 767-300 aircraft.

Hilton Addis Ababa, Menelik II AvenueP.O. Box 1164 Addis Ababa Ethiopia

hilton.com

And let you see things differently. Relax in the thermally heated openair swimming pool and experience the traditional Ethiopian hospitality.

For business or pleasure, the Hilton Addis Ababa has it all!

To make your reservation, call +251 11 517 00 00.

Travel is more than just A to B. Travel Should relax you.

8 sELAMtA vOL. 27 nO.3

introducing Belgium’s Mini-Europe: the miniature model park in Brussels with around 350 miniature scale models depicting some of the best-known architectural highlights

from the 27 European Union (EU)member countries. After all, since Brussels is capital of the EU, a Mini-Europe is very appropriate.

it all started in 1987 when art historians selected over 100 buildings from various parts of the EU to be used as the basis for a model park. the tremendous precision demanded of the model makers called for accurate drawings and thousands of photographs. it was a mammoth task to make the models and used a technique that reproduces exceptionally fine detail and

Europe in Miniature wouldn’t it be great if you could visit most of the fantastic sights of Europe in one afternoon? gilly pickup discovered a way!

guarantees excellent weather resistance. it was time-consuming work and the models took many hours to build; for instance, it took 24,000 hours of work to complete spain’s Cathedral of santiago de Compostela – the equivalent of one person working for 13 years!

since it was art historians, rather than those in the tourist industry, who selected the miniaturised monuments, Mini-Europe is rather highbrow as theme parks go. For instance, you will see that mini-France shows Le Corbusier’s Ronchamp but not notre-dame; mini-italy shows off palladio’s villa Rotonda but omits the Colosseum while mini-Britain offers Bath’s Royal Crescent but not Buckingham palace.

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Above: Night view of Mini-Europe

Brussels:

JULY - sEptEMER 2010 �

vital communications centre used during the planning of the dunkirk evacuation. At Mini-Europe, it isn’t only the castle which is represented but also the famous white cliffs with the area’s terraced houses overlooking the sea. what’s more, in Mini-Europe all the trains run on time – even the British one which pulls into the miniature platform next to the palace of westminster every two minutes!

time now to visit paris. wander past the 12.85 metres high Eiffel tower, visit the pompidou Centre and the Arc de triomphe, the arch honouring those who fought for France, particularly during the napoleonic wars. say goodbye to the sights of the capital by following the tgv (train à grande vitesse, French for ‘high speed train’) as it makes its way across France.

during your whirlwind European tour, you won’t want to miss some of italy’s most famous sites including the Leaning tower of pisa, one of italy’s most identifiable landmarks and made of real marble. visit venice and marvel at the gondolas sailing along the canals, the doges palace and st. Mark’s Campanile.

hungary is represented by the széchenyi Medicinal Bath in Budapest, the largest in Europe. You can recognise holland by its well-known windmills, while in denmark you can see the colourful houses of Copenhagen’s district of nyhavn (new harbour.)

however, visitors can do more than simply admire the sights as some of the models are interactive. this means you could make the Berlin wall fall if you wanted to, or see vesuvius erupt by simply pressing a button. there are various moving features too, like little railways, cable cars, an Airbus and watermills. Miniature trains travel between different cities, toy cars and boats show the traffic on streets and waterways. there is a model Ferris wheel, a space rocket, the Calypso, Jacques Cousteau’s ship and you can see mini tourists, admiring the sights!

At the entrance to each country, you can choose whether you want to hear its national anthem. while 30 of them playing together can be a little confusing it can’t detract from the impressiveness of the work.

Miniature model park in Brussels with around 350 miniature scale models depicting some of the best-known architectural highlights from the 27 European Union member countries.

the buildings are arranged in country order. Belgium, as host, is represented by the largest number of models – over 15, compared to Finland’s one (Olavinlinna Castle), making for a curious mélange.

the quality of the models is top notch and some, like Brussels grand-place, cost as much as €350,000 to make. the miniature trees and plants in the park make everything appear realistic and the scale (1:25) makes children feel like giants!

You could start your visit by going to great Britain – you will know you are in London when you hear the familiar chimes of Big Ben! don’t miss a visit to Bath, a world heritage City with some of Europe’s finest architectural sites and stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of the bard, william shakespeare. Before crossing the channel to France (a cross-section of the Channel tunnel is represented too), take time to have a look at dover Castle in Kent. its secret underground tunnels were extremely important in world war ii. Besides housing a hospital for wounded Battle of Britain pilots, it was also a

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Above: Atomium is the symbol of Brussels and was built in 1��8 for Brussels World Fair (top), Panoramic view of Brussels

BRUssELs, EUROpE in MiniAtURE

Ethiopian flies 3 times a week to Brussels, Belgium

the entrance fee also includes a guidebook packed with interesting, fun facts about each of the countries. For instance, it tells you that germans attend the doctor more than other Europeans, 11 times a year on average. they also eat the most bread in the EU. Apparently every german devours 84 kilogrammes, that’s more than 1.5 kilogrammes a week! the booklet also explains the significance of each of the models and in some cases, how long it took to make them. As it is more or less laid out in the same order as the exhibits, it is easy to follow.

Mini-Europe is a fun way for kids of all ages to get to grips with European geography. On some weekend nights in summer, the park stays open to midnight and has musical firework displays. Although open daily for most of the year, Mini-Europe closes each year from January to March when new cities and monuments are added.

At the end of the tour, there is an interactive exhibition called spirit of Europe which explains the history of the EU, its place in the world and why it was created.

nearby, there are other attractions worth seeing including the imax cinema Kinepolis, the village, full of cafes and restaurants and aqua park Oceade with open air and covered zones featuring waterslides, a wave swimming pool, sauna land, amusements, Aqua fun house and whirlpool. the Atomium, built for the Brussels world Fair in 1958, is here too. Just as the

Eiffel tower is the symbol of paris, the Atomium is the symbol of Brussels. there’s nothing quite like this cluster of giant metal-clad spheres, which represents the atomic structure of an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. You can wander round inside the spheres and from the top sphere you’ll be rewarded with a bird’s eye view of Brussels.

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Above: The miniature model park of Brussels


While modern-day Jeddah bustles with life, rushing to embrace the 21st century, Old Jeddah – the ancient city core at its heart – offers an opportunity to step

back in time, with its historic architecture and calm, quiet streets. A casual stroll through its labyrinth of narrow, twisting alleys will reveal a surprisingly different Jeddah than the modern face it presents to most of its visitors.

the city traces its history to the sixth century when a descendent of the prophet Mohamed chose it as the main port of entry for Makkah, which lies almost 50 miles inland. For centuries it prospered as the commercial centre of Arabia, capitalising on the lucrative spice trade between the Far East and Europe. As its power in this area waned, the city re-established its position in the 15th century as the principal gateway for the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Makkah – a role, which it has maintained until today. the late 19th century saw another economic boom for

Old Jeddah – Echoes in timesituated on the western coast of saudi Arabia between the sparkling blue waters of the Red sea and the pale yellow hills of the Massif range, Jeddah is a city of contrasts: seascape and desert, ultra-modern and traditional, bustling and relaxed, old and new, writes Linda Barghoorn.

phOtOs © LindA BARghOORn

Jeddah’s economy and its merchant traders, with the opening of the suez Canal. today, the architecture in Jeddah’s historic quarters reflects its role in both areas – from the coral mansions built by the wealthy merchants during the 19th century, to the simple functionality of the caravanserais, which provided shelter for the religious pilgrims as they passed through Jeddah.

three reconstructed city gates which date back more than 400 years – Bab Makkah, Bab sharif and Bab Madinah – still stand sentry to the old city, known simply as Balad, while several others were permanently lost in the city’s 20th century haste to expand. while Jeddah’s modern face looms proudly outside, the atmosphere in the old quarters within its ancient walls reflects a more traditional and almost forgotten era.

Along the main pedestrian thoroughfare of Al-Alawi, leading into Old Jeddah, vendors call out enthusiastically and windows dripping with glittering gold jewellery beckon arrogantly from

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Above: Miniature village, replica of Old Jeddah showing some of the architectural styles

JULY - sEptEMER 2010 1�

Renewed interest in the city’s heritage is stronger than ever and ensures that the unique atmosphere and architecture of Jeddah’s balad will endure for centuries to come.

than 50 rooms and houses a library of Jeddah’s historic material. it is often used to showcase special events in the city. it is an excellent example of a 19th century merchant’s house, built of coral limestone from the neighbouring sea tied with teak beams, which were imported from further abroad. the limestone blocks are bounded by a mortar whose base is appropriately made of date pulp, another local product. this magnificent building has been meticulously restored and exhibits much of the craftsmanship, which was supported by the prosperous mercantile community of the time.

while Jeddah’s ancient alleys echo with the footsteps of historical figures from Lawrence of Arabia to ancient traders and weary religious pilgrims, its real treasures are to be found in its traditional hejazi architecture, named for the region in which Jeddah is located. Multi-storied dwellings leap skyward to catch any wisp of the cool northwestern sea breeze, which might provide some relief from the sultry humidity. their thick stone walls and louvered shutters are also designed to help keep the houses cool. Clinging together tightly with not even a finger’s width to separate one from another, they seem unified in their intimacy. the streets between them are purposely designed to be excessively narrow to create as much shade as possible – another tiny respite from the relentless, scorching Arabian sun. As such, they create a mysterious, alluring maze, where each twist in the path can reveal an architectural masterpiece – a finely worked wooden façade or roshan, an elaborately carved door, an intricately worked wrought iron fanlight, or an imposing crenellated rooftop.

the building material of choice was coral, quarried from the nearby reefs of the Red sea where it was available in abundance. Between each whitewashed storey, thick wooden hardwood beams provide the necessary support for these four and five-storey towers, in which each level provides some sort of accommodation for the family. Often these beams can be seen from the outside of the buildings, running along the whitewashed walls and demarcating each storey like chocolate icing in a multi-layered cake. the windows scattered across their walls are disguised with elaborately carved wooden lattice screens, or rowasheen, created to shield the inhabitants from the curious eyes of passers-by, while simultaneously allowing them discreetly to observe the goings-on in the streets below. Ornate balconies, known as loggia, lean precariously from the sides of the buildings, their weight supported by a complex system of cantilevers. All of these were created by a once thriving community of skilled craftsmen and artisans, who had arrived from other parts of the world, and often stayed on as they found steady work – although their craft has all but disappeared here. the more elaborate the work, the more time-consuming and expensive it was to create, so that the intricacy of the exterior woodwork often revealed much about the status of the owners. Many of the merchant families which originally owned these homes have left, but many years later the houses are still often known by the name of the family for whom they were created, with names like Beit nassif, Beit noorwali and Beit dahlawi.

these spectacular old buildings also offer up an amazing collection of doors in varying size, shape and material, which

the gold souk. smaller passages on either side offer up an amazing array of goods from bolts of brightly coloured fabric to long, austere rows of black abayas worn by the women in public, from rainbow selections of pastel-tinted kitchenware to imported shoes of all styles and colours – all crammed in tiny stalls, which threaten to explode their contents into the dusty streets. Rich smells of dark coffee and exotic scents of ancient spices piled in neat earth-toned pyramids, pierce the air, recalling the city’s ancient trades. A fine layer of dust and sand crunches beneath each footstep, as you make your way under the scorching rays of the Middle Eastern sun. For the desert is never far off, held tenaciously at bay by the more modern areas of the city to the east.

Old Jeddah is a labyrinth of narrow shaded streets and traditional buildings, where the calls of the vendors and the bustle of modern life fade into an almost reverent hush. the most famous house in Jeddah – nassif house, or Beit nassif – sits proudly in the heart of Balad, once home of the nassif family for over a century. For many years it was known locally as ‘the house with the tree’ as its front courtyard boasted the only tree in Jeddah until the 1920s, indication of the family’s extensive wealth. now owned by the city government, it comprises more


rival anything that Zanzibar – famous for its carved doors – can offer. intricately carved geometric and floral designs decorate the heavy, multi-panelled, wooden doors. Elaborate half-moon or rosette-shaped fanlights of wood or wrought iron enhance some of the doorways, allowing precious light and air into their narrow entranceways. Other façades display ornate series of patterns carved into the stone walls which extend the lines of the doorways and add a lace-like effect to the building.

Crenellated roof parapets crown the tops of these structures in a formidable row of whitewashed square teeth to provide a degree of privacy, while also affording a view of the sea and enabling its cool breezes to invade the upper reaches of the home. their flat roofs served as sleeping quarters as well as a play area for the family’s children, and were also used to hang the family’s clean laundry for drying. normally they were constructed at a very slight angle with an opening and drain in one corner to catch the precious, rainwater, which comes all too infrequently to Jeddah. Although many of the old wooden ornamentations have been poorly maintained, their slow disintegration – while tragic – seems to add to the charm of the buildings. walls slope, windows lean and storeys jut at rather precarious angles – all adding to the impression of age, history and character.

the old caravanserais reflect another important aspect of Jeddah’s history: their role in the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Makkah. these shelters for the pilgrims were in use as recently as the early 20th century when the journey was still, amazingly, conducted from Jeddah on camelback. Old hand-written journals outlining the city’s pilgrimage trade have been found by the preservation department during its restoration activities. these elaborate records provide incredible detail about the daily number of camels, passengers and cargo which left Jeddah by the checkpoints at the city gates for the four-day journey to Makkah, conjuring up romantic images of an era of Jeddah’s exotic past. From the persian karwan, meaning caravan, and serai, meaning palace, these buildings were sanctuaries where the travel-weary pilgrim could be free from the hardship and dangers of the arduous journey. they were clustered strategically around the city’s main gates, through which all of the traffic to and from the city passed. Most were without decoration, stark in their simplicity and functionality, but welcome places nonetheless for travellers to rest their weary heads.

today, many are unused, their long rows of windows staring vacantly into the dusty alleys. More than one million pilgrims pass through Jeddah each year now during hajj, with Jeddah’s international airport handling two planeloads per minute at its peak. But nowadays most pilgrims are housed in larger, more modern facilities nearer the airport as they wait to board the air-conditioned buses which have replaced the dusty, bumpy traditional camel.

while some structures like Beit nassif have survived into the 21st century, many of Jeddah’s other architectural treasures were lost as the city strained under the pressures of rapid growth during the past 60 years. As its population has exploded from 25,000 in 1945 to over 2 million today, it sprawled outward, swelling from one square kilometre to an enormous 1,000! in its rush to expand, Jeddah turned its back briefly on its past, demolishing some of its old city walls and the unique structures within the ancient city core to make way for modern construction to house its booming population.

today, the historical Area preservation department, established in 1990 to reverse this trend, is working painstakingly

OLd JEddAh, EChOEs in tiME

Ethiopian flies 4 times a week to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Left: Fine example of intricate rowasheen and loggia

to preserve the old city’s unique atmosphere and its architectural heritage. From the thousands of traditional buildings, it has identified more than 500 structures of architectural and historical significance – from grand merchants’ palaces to humbler workers’ houses and historical caravanserais. Each will be renovated to its original state, in an attempt to entice businesses and families back here and to reestablish this area as the true heart of Jeddah – while modern amenities such as electricity and running water will be installed to accommodate modern living standards. preservation codes now also dictate that crumbling buildings, dilapidated beyond repair, must be replaced with something of similar size and style in order to retain the architectural integrity of the old town. in the meantime, the persistent hum of an air conditioner or heaps of colourful laundry draped over a balcony reveal the surprising presence of human inhabitants in some buildings that are awaiting their turn at restoration and yet seem on the verge of collapse. it is hard to imagine life inside such a frail looking dwelling. And yet, as is so often the case in this country, appearances can be deceiving. in some cases the crumbling exterior is merely a façade for something much more luxurious on the inside.

despite a way of life that has changed dramatically during recent decades since the discovery of oil, the beliefs and traditions of this country and its cities remain firmly rooted in the past. Beyond the old gates, the city continues its relentless urban sprawl to the north, with slick new houses and modern office and shopping complexes. But Old Jeddah, the “Bride of the Red sea,” pays tribute to the city’s past with its rich architectural heritage. its time-weathered streets echo with the centuries of footsteps of those who have walked here before and its architecture pays remarkable tribute to its colourful history. they provide a spectacular journey through time for the modern explorer. Renewed interest in the city’s heritage is stronger than ever and ensures that the unique atmosphere and architecture of Jeddah’s balad will endure for centuries to come.


pointe-noire, whose name originated from portuguese navigators in 1484, is the second largest city in the Republic of the Congo, and an autonomous department

since 2004. Before this it was the capital of Koilou Region (now known as department). it is situated on a headland between pointe-noire Bay and the Atlantic Ocean and has a population of 663,400 (2005 census).

thanks to its prime location near the equator, the climate is warm and humid for the entire year, but this is tempered by the cool ocean to make the weather quite pleasant.

pointe-noire is the main commercial centre of the Republic of Congo. it is an important centre of the oil industry in Congo-Brazaville, one of the main oil producers in central Africa. it is also known for its fishing industry.

surprising as it may be, pointe-noire boasts of some of the best beaches you could ever imagine and are known for surfing. Côte sauvage is known as a jewel of pointe-noire. Marine life is also another source of livelihood for the Africans in this city.

Also worth noting is the pointe-noire birdlife which is fairly rich, with a number of coastal near-endemic and migratory species to be found. Common species to be seen include house sparrow and African skimmers, as well as Congo sunbird, Congo sand Martin, Jameson’s Antpecker, Brazza’s Martin, Black-chinned weaver, Loango weaver and Bob-tailed weaver. there are also a number of species in pointe-noire plant life, with a number of forests to be seen, including Bois d’ Amour and, Bois de tivala as well as wetlands and marshes, coastal vegetation, sandy savanna, Eucalyptus plantations, and crops to a degree.

pointe-noire is also rich in different kinds of animal species both on land and in water; therefore a safari would definitely top a tourist’s itinerary.

pointe-noire’s wildlife includes a diversity of species such as the lowland gorilla, spotted hyena, African rock python, and nile monitor lizard from dense rainforests in the Kouilou region about 150 kilometres outside of the city, and the nearby Conkouati-douli national park.

pointe-noire, although rural in nature has a few admirable establishments. One of these is the CFCO or the terminus of Chemin de fer Congo-Ocean, the city’s finest building situated close to the port. this railway was built to connect to the capital city Brazzaville, to avoid rapids along the Congo River. pointe noire has a taxi-bus network that runs throughout the entire city. it is also home to Antonio Agostinho neto international Airport, one of the most frequented international airports in the country.

Currently pointe-noire is developing well. Accommodation is good such as the hotel de ville, that’s close to the waterfalls.

As for the food, African cuisine and fine seafood will await tourists in almost every restaurant. And people wouldn’t mind bringing home some of pointe-noire’s delicacies as it is the centre of production for cacao, vanilla and coffee.

DESTINATION

Facts File: Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo

population: 663,400 (2005 Census).

Official language: French.

Currency: Central African CFA franc (XAF). Cash is usually preferred, and Us dollars are widely accepted.

Entry requirements: A passport, visa and evidence of yellow fever vaccination are required for entry.

hotels: As the economic capital of the Republic of Congo, pointe-noire has more restaurants, hotels, and general amenities than the rest of the country combined.

transport: pointe-noire is home to Agostinho neto international Airport, one of the most frequented international airports in the country. pointe-noire is also the terminus of the Congo-Ocean Railway and has a taxi-bus network that runs throughout the entire city.

Calling code: 242.

getting there: Ethiopian will serve pointe-noire three times a week.

Above: Pointe-Noire sunset

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Ethiopian Airlines presents its compliments and welcomes pointe-noire (Republic of Congo) to its African network. in line with its commitment of expanding its route network within Africa, Ethiopian will launch new services to pointe noire effective June 2010.

Ethiopian will fly its Boeing 767-300 aircraft on the route, offering 235 seats in a two-class configuration. the thrice weekly service to and from pointe-noire will link the city with Ethiopian’s extensive route network, with immediate connections to and from cities throughout the world, including paris, London, Beirut, Mumbai, nairobi Bangkok, hong Kong, Beijing, Cairo, dubai, stockholm, Rome and washington. no carrier will provide more connections to more cities in Asia from pointe noire than Ethiopian Airlines.

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DESTIN

ATION

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i’m willing to bet that the last time you went shopping in hong Kong, you missed the bargain-price flamingoes (actually, they’re free). i feel sure that when you ascended victoria peak, you were too busy buying postcards to notice there’s a great big forest nearby. And i’d be almost certain that the last time you

took in the nightlife in Central, it wasn’t nesting birds you were thinking off.this is no criticism; hong Kong has a tendency to hide its natural treasures. Yet once the shopping and the

thrill of the metropolis begin to pall, there is an alternative. Just when you’ve got to the point where you never want to hear a honking taxi again, you can get away and listen to honking geese instead. Just when you thought you couldn’t face another crowd, you’ll be delighted with the hordes of butterflies. And if the skyscrapers begin to leave you cold, downsize and inspect the dwarf bonsai. where? Just a step away in the city’s almost unnoticed parks and gardens, that’s where.

Above: A view over Hong Kong from Victoria Peak

FEATURE stORY BY BRiAn JOhnstOn

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hOng KOng pARKhong Kong park is a strange place in which nature definitely

takes second place to artifice; there’s probably more tiles, glass, paths and modern buildings here than there are plants. this is a thoroughly hong Kong place, where even the waterfall is artificial and the traditional Chinese garden has been reinvented to ultra-modern. squashed into this space between skyscrapers and mountains there’s also a playground for kids, games hall, centre for the visual arts, restaurant and museum. somehow, though, it all works. hong Kong park is a quiet treasure infrequently visited by tourists and often overlooked by residents, too.

At the heart of the park lies a pond surrounded by flowerbeds and full of lilies and fat carp; you’ll often come across a bride posing for photographs here after getting married at the nearby registry. in a nearby courtyard locals gather to practice taichi. Further on a viewing tower with interlocking spiral staircases allows fine views over the surroundings. in the foreground rises the elegant white Flagstaff house, a British colonial building dating from 1846 and now housing a delightful Museum of Chinese teaware.

the highlight of hong Kong park is the stunning aviary of 600 birds, one of the world’s largest. walking through this place is like stepping from an urban jungle into a real one; visitors follow an elevated walkway suspended 10 metres in the air among the branches of the surrounding trees. watch the birds swooping against a magnificent background of skyscrapers, while listening to a mossy stream tumble through the tangled undergrowth: a thoroughly remarkable experience.

ZOOLOgiCAL And BOtAniC gARdEnsthe Zoo and Botanic gardens were opened in 1864 on the

slopes of victoria peak, a short walk from hong Kong park, and have been keeping residents entertained ever since. the day kicks off at 7 am with taichi practice among the shrubbery, moves on to mothers and their children taking the air, and doesn’t finish until the last chattering red-cheeked gibbon falls silent at dusk.

the Zoo won’t win any prizes for its rather uninspiring collection and rather heavy cages, although you can see gorillas, jaguars, monkeys and a whole lot of exotic birds. the birds are, in fact, the best part of the collection; the zoo breeds rare species very successfully and supplies other zoos worldwide with new stock. the 280 species of birds here include cranes, peacock pheasants, birds of paradise and flamingos. the Botanic gardens retain a stately victorian atmosphere and are cluttered with hydrangeas, camellias, poinsettias, tree ferns, bamboo and rosewood trees that overhang shady paths. stately statues of monarchs add to the British feel.

viCtORiA pEAKthe Chinese name for victoria peak is taiping shan, which

translates as ‘Mountain of great peace’, and that just about sums it up. Famous for its rack tram and stunning views, victoria peak has its share of crowds and hustle, but you only have to take a few steps away to get lost in expanses of parkland, forests and country walks. this is a great place for a picnic, kite flying, solitary rambles, or simply for staring out at the breathtaking views.

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the most popular walk takes just an hour and leads you on a circuit of the peak via harlech and Lugard Roads. don’t be put off by the word ‘road’; these are narrow paths lined with giant palm trees, scented jasmine, bamboo and enormous clumps of rhododendron, and the only traffic will be an occasional car heading towards one of the secluded villas nearby. After about half an hour the path rises above the trees and suddenly the whole panorama of hong Kong is spread out below: truly one of the world’s most spectacular walks.

Another splendid but rather more strenuous walk takes you up steep Mt. Austin Road to a little white gatehouse, all that remains of the summer residence of former British governors. the original gardens are now open to the public and you can amble though landscaped woods to the summit of the peak. it’s refreshingly cool up here in the breeze and sometimes you’ll even find yourself in the clouds. the views stretch away into the blue and on a weekday you might well be the only person in sight.

viCtORiA pARKLocated just out of Central in Causeway Bay, this is one of the

city’s largest parks and is a very welcome green space among a jumble of high rises. Facilities include a swimming pool, tennis and squash courts, basketball courts, soccer fields, and a jogging path. in between there are some fine lawns and landscaped shrubs and flowers. in mid-autumn the Lantern Festival is held here in the evening, and the park comes alive with hundreds of coloured lights suspended from the trees. Just before Chinese new Year the park also hosts a huge flower market. they’ll sell you flowers by the cartload here, or in simple bunches, or elaborately arranged in baskets and wreaths: orchids in white and purple, roses in every lipstick shade, and slender stemmed lotus flowers with rich pink-purple heads.

KOwLOOn pARKKowloon park is an absolute oasis in the urban wasteland

of the most crowded part of hong Kong. walk up nathan Road, with its frantic traffic, dubious salesmen, unbearable heat and endless crowds and you might well miss Kowloon park altogether, although it’s right there, suspended above a row of trendy shops and the MRt station. Like hong Kong

Ethiopian flies 3 times a week to Hong Kong, China

gREEn pEACE, hOngKOng pARKs And gARdEns

Above: A leafy avenue in Hong Kong Park

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park, nature vies with artifice and neither seems to win out entirely; some find the blend uncomfortable but no one can deny that Kowloon park is a delightful escape. On a hot afternoon you could do no better than visit the swimming pools, linked together by waterfalls – absolute paradise, especially after following the park’s fitness trail in the heat. Kowloon residents practice taichi in the sculpture garden, with its bizarre modern art, while children play on the swings or get lost in the maze of hedges. there’s an aviary of bored looking birds, but much better is the bird lake, with its collection of waterfowl. here you’ll be greeted by the extraordinary sight of a flock of flamingos wading peacefully against a backdrop of skyscrapers.

YUEn pO stREEt BiRd gARdEnYou can hear the bird garden before you come to it – a

discordant chorus of cheeping and trilling that manages to rise even above the traffic. this is barely a garden; really it’s no more than a wide lane with plants down one side and small shops on the other, but it does lie behind a wall and has a tranquil feel to it. Old men gather here to discuss and contemplate their birds, housed in ornate wooden cages that are hung off the tree branches. the birds seem to like the sun and fresh air; they warble ecstatically and ruffle their feathers. Birds are favoured in Chinese culture as the harbingers of good fortune (some people even bring them to the horse races!). if you wonder why some of the birds are so nondescript in appearance, it’s because they are valued for their singing voices. You’ll see the owners swapping notes, feeding the birds honey to soothe their vocal chords, and offering them live grasshoppers on the ends of chopsticks.

the grasshoppers are on sale in the small shops, along with toasted seeds, mealy worms, porcelain feeding bowls and lacquered bamboo cages. there are birds for sale as well, from colourful parrots and white cockatoos to finches and mynas. this is a very Chinese garden and one of the most unusual and entertaining place in hong Kong.


Get set for the third Art of Ethiopia Exhibition!

The Sheraton Addis is hosting its third annual Art of Ethiopia exhibition from 21st to 24th August 2010 in the Lalibela Ballroom.

Nearly 400 works of art will be on display from 40 of Ethiopia’s leading established artists and some exciting new talents, spanning three generations. Entrance is complimentary.

The impressive ballroom makes a superb venue in which to view the colourful kaleidoscope of Ethiopia’s finest works of art. Previous events have been hugely popular and have been well attended by visitors from all walks of life, for the display of traditional

and contemporary art is for the benefit of all – not just art afficionados.

The hotel has prepared a catalogue of the art works on display, along with biographies of each artist. The revenue from catalogue sales will go into the Sheraton

Addis Art Endowment Fund, set up to support art initiatives in Ethiopia. All of the paintings are available for sale. Last year a significant number were sold

within the first 24 hours.

The Sheraton Addis has long been a patron of Ethiopian art. The hotel has some 70 paintings by local artists on permanent display as part of the hotel’s exhibition.


hideaways off the Beaten track

phOtOs © KAtE EshELBY

Under a tamarind tree the sun sets, painting the edges of the branches, and through it is a nugget of hippos, rolling languidly in the squelching mud, and opening

their huge jaws in hefty yawns. some graze the surrounding grasslands, silhouetted against the sun’s coin, their coats shining as they catch the light.

there are more hippos in Katavi national park, an extremely remote park in southwest tanzania, than anywhere else in Africa. it is a wonderfully wild park, far off the beaten track: making it hard to reach, but it receives only 1,200 visitors each year, in contrast to the famous ngorongoro crater in north tanzania which recorded 375 cars on one day alone last August. At Katavi we saw no other vehicles throughout our entire stay; watching the animals is an intimate affair.

Katavi, a span of open plains and miomba woodland, reputedly has a higher concentration of mammals than any other reserve in tanzania. with 2,200 square miles it is the

country’s third largest park, doubling in size in 1998 when it absorbed the southern area, previously reserved for hunting. the park’s name comes from Katabi, a legendary hunter whose spirit is believed to live in a tamarind tree within the park.

we lift off from Arusha, tanzania’s safari capital in a small Cessna 208 plane, heading for the country’s little visited southwest. Below us are boundless expanses of wilderness, the towering bulk of Kilimanjaro, stretching grasslands nudged with trees, and during the whole three-hour journey only a handful of villages. when we land on the newly mown runway it is immediately recognisable that we are in the middle of nowhere, it is as if a green filter has been put over everything, the long grasses emblazoned with yellow and white flowers like idyllic pastoral meadows.

Katavi is known for its profuse and varied animal herds congregating on the bush amphitheatre of its flood plains; the best time to see this magnificent spectacle is October at the

Katavi and Lupita are two of Tanzania’s little-known gems, as Kate Eshelby discovered.

Above: Hippos in the pool at Katavi National Park

DESTINATION

JULY - sEptEMER 2010 ��

Katsunga floodplain; the graceful ballet poses of acacia trees balanced on the horizon and a group of topi stencilled like cutouts against the huge open bowled sky.

there are numerous families of elephants out wandering, searching for food, hoisting their trunks up into trees and ripping off fat branches with one twist, or vagabonding the plains in their long family lines; one of the most glorious sights of Africa, their decreasing differences in size like Russian matryoshka dolls. One particularly protective bull elephant charges us, trumpeting angrily, not liking us near his youngest: our hearts beat, the thrill of an exciting safari moment.

the bush is voluminous with lions and their cubs, and buffalo stand majestically on the plains nearby (Katavi’s buffalo herds are among the largest in Africa, in the dry season literally thousands of them gather together). A violently hued lilac breasted roller bird flies by and towers of giraffe move with the languid fluidity of seahorses. Bushbuck and impala leap effortlessly over bushes like athletic hurdlers, an adorable family of banded mongoose bolt on tiptoes, and fish eagles swoop along the Katuma River.

during the dry season Katavi’s crocodiles and hippos display behaviour unique to this area, which resulted in national geographic coming out to film them last year. the crocodiles slither into caves along the riverbanks to hibernate; lying still, their hearts slow to two beats a minute and they remain like this for up to six weeks. the hippo concentrate into diminishing pools, a compelling sight: the last remaining pools of water thronged with thousands and thousands of hippos.

On our last night we sit in the boma before supper, serenaded by the haunting sound of a marsh owl. the park is dark all around, a buffalo skull hangs becomingly at the boma’s approach and hurricane lanterns are hung around the wooden enclosure.

there is no fencing around the park, adding to the charmof seeing animals roam freely in their natural habitat.

height of the dry season. From late november to April, when we were there, the grass soars high and the wildlife disperses into the woodland.

heading out into the park we are still lucky and see a wealth of animals, each encounter poignant because the animals are completely wild in Katavi, unlike other parks where they are used to vehicles and sit watching like moody, camera-weary models. there is no fencing around the park, adding to the charm of seeing animals roam freely in their natural habitat. we drive through dense forest, past star chestnut trees with their startlingly white bark and Marula trees, and then out to the

Above: Lupita, a tiny uninhabited Robinson Crusoe island in the southern heart of Lake Tanganyika (top), Numerous families of elephants out wandering, searching for food

there is another remote hideaway on Lupita, a tiny uninhabited Robinson Crusoe island in the southern heart of Lake tanganyika, to which we fly after the action of safari, relaxing by the glittering waters of this enormous lake, a short journey west from Katavi. we land on the lake’s fringe by Kipili village, within seconds the villagers have congregated to watch us, children carry our bags balanced on their heads, following a narrow path to where a boat waits to take us across to Lupita. the scene is paradisal, there is nothing but bright sunlight, a small gathering of thatched roof mud houses, and the expanse of lake stretching before us.

the lake has the former name of tanzania, known as tanganyika. Zanzibar and pemba gained independence, uniting to create tanzania in 1961 and 1963 respectively. Unlike neighbouring Kenya, tourism is relatively new, only able to blossom some 15 years ago.

Lake tanganyika is a lake of superlatives, the world’s longest, second-deepest, sixth-largest and one of the oldest; an ancient lake formed along one of the volcanic Rift valley’s fault lines over five million years ago. it was here that Arab slave traders and explorers passed through. there is also a local legend that a snake lived on the mainland, believed to have powers of good luck; people travelled far to receive its blessings, many waiting on Lupita to be summoned across the lake by the local witchdoctor; in swahili Lupita means ‘stop-off place to somewhere else.’

sailing out into the lake before jumping in to swim is an experience never to be forgotten. Kicking purposely towards the sunset i feel an overwhelming sense of freedom, the raw red beckoning me and the velvet water caressing my skin. what guises as a sleigh of boats slides across the horizon, then more and more appearing. the boatmen light lanterns, displaying like giant fireflies: this is one of Lake tanganyika’s nocturnal delights, when the moon is slight thousands of local fishermen appear in their traditional wooden boats in search of dagaa. the lake’s water, exceptionally fertile, is full of plankton, which the lantern light draws to the surface, the fish then following. Each night for a week the lake morphs like a mini city, following the moon’s cycle because the fishermen cannot fish successfully in the full moon’s brightness.

surrounding Lupita are secluded beaches, and views of other islands; Mvuna, Manda Ulwile and Manda Kelange. we decide to paddle over to Mvuna. the shimmering flat water is translucently clear, revealing shoals of brightly coloured fish below (the lake has a huge variety of endemic cichlids). Mvuna is full of life as we come ashore, huge purple nets lie out drying in the sunshine like expanses of scottish heather, ducks peacefully swim in the water and there are mud kilns for smoking fish. hungry, we stop on one of the beaches for lunch.

hidEAwAYs OFF thE BEAtEn tRACK

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it is said that a smile cures many ills, but for solomon Zewdu, general Manager of the Bahar dar branch of the Kuriftu Resort and spa, located almost 600 kilometres north of the Ethiopian capital Addis

Ababa, a smile is much more. “it is distinctively Ethiopian to smile, and provide a courteous welcome

to guests,” he says. “here at Kuriftu, we have a smiling policy for all our associates where we try to make our guests welcome and show them that we are happy to tend to their needs.”

But this upscale retreat is much more than warmth and superior treatment. “Our emphasis is on service and providing exclusivity and privacy to our members,” says Zewdu. “we promote ourselves as the ultimate honeymoon destination for newly-weds. Our main focus is in providing Ethiopian warmth and hospitality with a service that is of international standard.”

the Ethiopian courtesy starts from the moment a prospective client walks into the resort management headquarters in Addis Ababa to make a reservation. if you are tired of waiting in queues, then you will certainly appreciate their personal touch in handling each client. no matter how old you are, you will be referred to as “sir” or antu, an Amharic vernacular normally only reserved for elders, whether you are just dropping by to check prices or are serious about making a booking. You will be kindly offered the choice of tea, coffee or water whether you seal the deal or choose to walk out and never come back.

Customers are normally enticed to either the debre Zeit, located 60 kilometres south of Addis Ababa, or the Bahar dar resorts because of the exclusive facilities that Kuriftu’s packages offer. “Often people are

disturbed and hassled in their daily lives,” explains Zewdu. “we provide exclusivity. we do not accept any walk-in guests, only long-term members and daily guests who have reservations well-ahead of time.”

Located just an hour’s flight from Addis Ababa and then a 10 minutes ride from Bahar dar Airport, Kuriftu’s Resort and spa was carefully created to reflect an authentic Ethiopian experience. “the Ethiopian look starts with the architecture,” says Zewdu. “the rooms are built from stone and extensive use has been made of wood in both the building and furniture. the rooms are enhanced with Ethiopian paintings that help our guests connect with nature and unwind.”

Conspicuous by their absence in the rooms are any landline telephones or internet portals. “this has been done deliberately,” says Zewdu. “we understand that people want to get away from telephones and the internet. they want to relax and escape from their busy lives. when you involve technology more, you stop personalising service.”

while there are many aspects that emphasise the Ethiopian qualities of the facility, Kuriftu has also raised the bar on the standard of vacation hotspots in the country by taking international service standards to a different level. the resort’s policy of hiring only local staff and then putting them through a rigorous and continuous training regime has hugely paid dividends.

“Forty five per cent of our employees were involved in the construction phase of the resort,” he says. “they were labourers and did not have any education. some of them stopped going to school many years ago. But we have taken a chance on them and trained them aggressively. they are fresh and have never worked elsewhere. they only know one way to work – the Kuriftu way.”

the Kuriftu personal touch Brings smiles to Bahar dar

At the Kuriftu Resort and spa in Bahar dar, a visitor is much more than simply a customer. Elshadai negash visited the resort and discovered how a traditionally relaxing and soothing city and its landmark lake have now been even further enhanced.

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The misty deluge of the spectacular Blue Nile Falls produces rainbows that shimmer across the gorge

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A day and a half at the Kuriftu Resort and spa in Bahar dar 07.10 depart Addis Ababa on the early morning flight to Bahar dar.08:10 Arrive at Bahar dar international Airport. A complimentary ride is arranged from the airport to Kuriftu Resort and spa.09:00 to 11:00 settle-in and walk around the facilities. 12:00 to 13:00 Lunch. Kuriftu’s three-course menu contains a salad/soup starter, a beef/chicken/fish/ national dish main course and a selection of well-prepared desserts. 13:00 to 16:00 visit the monasteries on Lake tana. various guided tour packages are available from Kuriftu.16:00 to 19:00 Unwind back at the Lodge with some massage and/or pedicure/manicure.19:30 to 20:30 dinner at Kuriftu. Enjoy another scrumptious three-course meal.21:00 to 01:00 Enjoy the night life in Bahar dar. this can be arranged with Kuriftu. the Balageru night Club is popular for its music and eskista.09:30 to 10:30 depending on how well you managed the night before, you can wake up in time for a complimentary breakfast at Kuriftu.11:00 to 14:00 take the guided tour to the Blue nile Falls. the journey from the Kuriftu Resort and back will take around three hours. have your cameras with you for a spectacular view of the Blue nile. 14:30 to 15:30 Late lunch at Kuriftu. 15:30 to 17:30 visit the traditional market. 18:00 to 20:00 Early light dinner and unwind at Kuriftu.20:00 depart for the Bahar dar Airport in time to catch the night flight back to Addis Ababa.

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Another interesting Kuriftu policy is its policy of recruiting fresh graduates to fill its core management positions. “in Ethiopia, there is a tendency to go for experience when recruiting staff,” he says. “But all of us, myself included, have been recruited fresh after completing our university studies. that helps a lot because we grow and gain experience in the Kuriftu culture of working. it also helps maintain a strong core group of workers as not many people leave to find other jobs.”

gateway to famous tourist sites All these factors combine to provide customers an experience they will

never forget when visiting the lodge. situated on the shores of Lake tana, Ethiopia’s largest and Africa’s fourth largest lake, the resort’s restaurant provides a spectacular day and night view of the expansive water mass and the treasures that lie in it.

A short boat-ride on the lake will take one to the Ura Kidane Meheret monastery on the Zeghe peninsula that existed as early as the 13th century. Apart from offering tourists the chance to shop at some of the stalls lining the path to the monastery, there are many hidden treasures on view like a 17th century bell made of innovatively-designed stones. the Kidane Meheret Church, a structure that existed in the 16th century, houses many paintings including perhaps the earliest forms of sponsorship where benefactors put money towards a painting of saints and would be rewarded with inclusion in the painting itself. the museum on this island also contains manuscripts and stories of dukes during the gondarian times.

the Entoseyesus Monastery, which is a few minutes away from the Ura Kidane Meheret and one of 17 on the Lake, is another must-see attraction. Amongst others, it contains a 13th century prison where offenders would spend the day standing in a constricted dark house and be confined in the same space at night.

Apart from the monasteries on Lake tana, Bahar dar also offers an attractive selection of other sites for visitors. the centre, the town’s traditional market, is a must for first-time visitors to Ethiopia as it provides the chance to see the ancient art form of bartering and street trading. here you will also have a chance to buy traditional souvenirs including handbags, linen, shoes and various artefacts.

if you should feel exhausted after this, then Kuriftu’s complimentary massage is the perfect way to relax those heavy limbs. Unwind in the care and sensitive touch of one of the resort’s expert masseurs and take the chance to have a pedicure or manicure from the resident manicurist.

But do not miss Bahar dar’s nightlife. the city is home to various night clubs that specialise in the eskista (Ethiopia’s traditional shoulder-shiver dance). still kept in its original form and unaltered for a tourist audience as in other parts of the country, the eskista here is warm, rhythmic, and

very engaging. it does not matter if you are not much of a dancer. Just drop your guard, join in and move to the magic of the music. there are no awards for the best dancer of the night, but rest assured the audience will be complimentary and applaud to all efforts.

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Above: Anuak man in canoe, Lake Tana, Ethiopia

R iven by deep and stupendous gorges, crowned by high and magnificent mountains, neck laced by a chain of lakes, watered by majestic rivers, studded with burning deserts and great escarpments that plunge down from its highlands, Ethiopia is a land of wonder and enchantment.

it is old beyond imagination. More than three million years ago, one of our first ancestors walked that portion of the earth that is now Ethiopia: namely, Lucy (dinkenesh to Ethiopians), meaning ‘thou Art wonderful’.

its ancient and mediaeval monuments, its proud and colourful cultures, and its varied and often unique wildlife sets it apart from all else.Ethiopia, dissected through its middle by the scar of the great Rift valley, is as old as time itself. it is a land claiming a history that goes

back to the Old testament. it is the land of sheba, and of Axum and Lalibela, of towering obelisks and the Ark of the Covenant – a land that was Christian before much of Europe and yet unknown to Europe for 1,000 years or more; a land that dwelt in limbo, forgotten by the world which it never forgot.

From the vast spread of Lake tana, source of the Blue nile through the relics of Axum, down along the scorching inferno of the danakil depression and high amid the wonders of simien and Bale Mountains to the untouched, game filled wilderness of the remote southern grasslands, Ethiopia is an odyssey of discovery.

Many visitors know Ethiopia for its splendid rock-hewn churches and colourful ceremonies. But it is Ethiopia’s people who join with the spectacular scenery, abundant fauna and fascinating religions to truly round out the character of this ancient land.

Ci-dessus: Habitant d’Anuak en canoë, au lac de Tana, en Ethiopie

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Above: The mysterious site of Tiya, containing around 36 ancient stelae, UNESCO World Heritage Site

Ci-dessus: Le site mystérieux de Tiya, contenant environ 36 stèles antiques, Patrimoine de l’Héritage mondial de l’UNESCO

L’Ethiopie est un pays de merveilles et d’enchantement, déchiré par de profondes et stupéfiantes gorges, couronné de hautes et magnifiques montagnes, entouré d’une chaîne de lacs dans lesquels se jettent de somptueuses rivières, et parsemé aussi de déserts brûlants et de grands escarpements plongeant directement des montagnes.

son origine dépasse notre imagination. il y a plus de trois millions d’années qu’un de nos premiers ancêtres foulait des pieds cette portion de terre que nous appelons maintenant l’Ethiopie : nous parlons de Lucy (appelée dinkenesh par les Ethiopiens), ce qui veut dire “vous êtes merveilleux”.

ses anciens monuments moyenâgeux, sa culture fière et originale et sa faune et sa flore souvent uniques la classent au-dessus de tout.L’Ethiopie, déchirée en son milieu par la cicatrice de la grande vallée du Rift, est aussi ancienne que le temps lui-même. C’est un pays qui peut prétendre à une

histoire qui prend sa source dans l’Ancien testament. C’est le pays de la reine de saba, du royaume d’Axoum et de Lalibela, d’obélisques géantes et de l’Arche de l’Alliance – un pays chrétien bien avant la plupart des pays d’Europe et pourtant méconnu de l’Europe pendant plus de mille ans; un pays relégué dans les limbes, oublié du monde qu’il n’a pourtant jamais oublié.

L’Ethiopie permet une odyssée de découvertes à partir de la vaste étendue du lac tana, à la source du nil Bleu, jusqu’aux vestiges du royaume d’Axoum, en longeant l’enfer torride de la dépression de la plaine des danakils et en passant au milieu des merveilles des montagnes élevées du simien et du Balé jusqu’aux plaines sauvages et isolées du sud.

de nombreux visiteurs connaissent l’Ethiopie pour ses splendides églises taillées dans la roche et pour ses cérémonies colorées. Mais c’est le peuple Ethiopien qui, joint au paysage spectaculaire, à la faune abondante et à des cérémonies religieuses fascinantes, forge le caractère de cette ancienne contrée.

Bienvenue au pays enchanté

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Above: A view of Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia Ci-dessus: Vue d’Addis-Abeba, capitale de l’Ethiopie

Addis Ababa Addis-Abebawide tree-lined streets, fine architecture, a bustling railway station,

glorious weather, and the incongruity of donkey trains trotting along the boulevards, make Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, a delightful place to explore: a city of surprises characterised by remarkable diversity and contrasts.

Addis Ababa’s cosy espresso bars and patisseries are reminiscent of Rome and the Mediterranean, and its bustling outdoor markets are colourful reminders of more traditional ways of life. the people, the bursts of music from cafes and shops, the pungent aromas of spicy cooking, of coffee and frankincense, form a unique Ethiopian pastiche.

From its inception Addis Ababa was clustered around two main centres: the palace to the east and the market, with saint george’s Church, to the west. together they generated so much activity that the capital grew and developed rapidly.

By the late 1950s Addis Ababa was recognised as the unofficial capital of Africa, and thus was made the headquarters of the United Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in 1958.

Later, in 1963, it was chosen as headquarters of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).

today Addis Ababa, which bears the imprint of many of these past developments, is a major metropolis with a population approaching an estimated three million.

Located at the centre of Ethiopia, the city stands at the very heart of Ethiopia and enjoys connections with the country’s economic zones. Addis Ababa is Africa’s unchallenged diplomatic capital, with more than 70 embassies and consular representatives clustered in the mountain city.

there is much to do and see within the capital whether at night – at the variety of night clubs offering all manner of music from traditional Ethiopian to modern pop, as well as dancing – or by day.

Addis Ababa has a large number of hotels throughout the city, from inexpensive ‘budget’ accommodation to the most luxurious. the Five star hotels have everything for the international traveller, including high-tech telecommunications and conference facilities.

de larges rues à trois bandes, une architecture de bonne qualité, une gare de chemins de fer animée, un temps superbe, et l’incongruité de files d’ânes trottant le long des boulevards font d’Addis-Abeba, la capitale de l’Ethiopie, un endroit merveilleux à explorer : une ville pleine de surprises, caractérisée par une diversité et des contrastes remarquables.

Les confortables cafés où l’on peut déguster des expressos et les pâtisseries d’Addis-Abeba vous font penser à ceux de Rome et de Méditerranée, et les marchés ouverts grouillants sont des rappels colorés de façons de vivre plus traditionnelles. Les gens, les explosions de musique sortant des cafés et des magasins, les arômes piquants provenant de la cuisine épicée, du café et de l’encens forment un pastiche éthiopien unique.

Addis-Abeba s’est regroupé depuis sa création autour de deux centres principaux : à l’est, le palace et à l’ouest le marché avec son église saint georges. ils ont généré ensemble tellement d’activités que cette capitale s’est agrandie et développée rapidement.

Addis-Abeba était reconnue comme la capitale officieuse de l’Afrique dès la fin des années 1950, et est donc devenue le quartier général de le Commission Economique pour l’Afrique Unie (ECA) en 1958.

Elle a été choisie plus tard, en 1963, comme quartier général de l’Organisation de l’Unité Africaine (OUA).

Aujourd’hui, Addis-Abeba, qui garde en elle les marques de ces développements passés, est une métropole de grande importance comptant une population estimée à environ trois millions de personnes.

La ville, située au centre de l’Ethiopie, se trouve être son véritable coeur et bénéficie de connections avec les zones économiques des pays environnants. Addis-Abeba est la capitale diplomatique indiscutée de l’Afrique, avec plus de 70 ambassades et de représentations consulaires regroupées dans la partie montagneuse de la ville.

il y a plein de choses à voir et à faire dans cette capitale, que ce soit de nuit – dans la grande variété de boites de nuit offrant tous les genres de musique, allant de la musique traditionnelle éthiopienne au pop moderne, ainsi qu’à la danse – ou de jour.

Addis-Abeba offre un large choix d’hôtels dans toute la ville, allant des hébergements peu coûteux jusqu’aux hôtels les plus luxueux. Les hôtels cinq étoiles offrent aux voyageurs internationaux tout ce qu’ils peuvent désirer, ce qui inclut des télécommunications de haute technologie et des salles de conférence.

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Above: View over Gondar and the Royal enclosure from the top of Fasilidas palace

Ci-dessus: Vues de Gondar et de l’enclos royal du haut du palais Fasilidas

Debré Markos: En empruntant la route historique du nord qui part d’Addis-Abeba, la première étape est debré Markos, à 305 kilomètres au nord de la capitale et cela est aussi accessible par avion trois fois par semaine avec “Ethiopian Airlines”. vous découvrirez là l’église du 19ème siècle de saint Marc, avec ses peintures pâles mais belles qui décrivent des scènes de l’histoire biblique et religieuse.

Bahar Dar: L’étape suivante, à 560 kilomètres d’Addis-Abeba, est desservie par des vols quotidiens d’Ethiopian Airlines et on y trouve bon nombre de bons hôtels; elle est située sur les rives méridionales du lac tana, à la source du nil Bleu, avec ses anciens monastères insulaires et la vue la plus spectaculaire du nil Bleu, les cascades de tis isat. vous découvrirez sur l’île de dega Estefanos l’église de saint stéphane avec sa collection d’icônes et de manuscrits d’une valeur inestimable, qui abrite aussi les restes momifiés d’un certain nombre d’empereurs éthiopiens.

Gondar que l’empereur Fasilidas a instauré comme sa capitale en 1636, est le site de nombreux palaces ressemblant à des châteaux, datant du 17ème et 18ème siècle. Cette ville a été la capitale de l’Ethiopie jusque sous le règne de l’empereur tewodros ii, connu aussi sous le nom de “théodore”. Cet établissement a été, durant les longues années pendant lesquelles il était la capitale, une des villes les plus grandes et les plus peuplées du royaume. Le plus ancien et le plus impressionnant des nombreux bâtiments impériaux de gondar est le palais de l’Empereur Fasilidas lui-même. On trouvera aussi de nombreuses autres constructions et des reliques historiques et fascinantes dont la plus spectaculaire est le debré Berhan sélassié.

Debre Markos: taking the historic route north from Addis Ababa, the first stop is debre Markos, 305 kilometres north of the capital and also accessible by air three times a week with Ethiopian Airlines. here you will find the 19th century church of Markos (saint Mark), with its pale but beautiful paintings depicting scenes of biblical and religious history.

Bahar Dar: Bahar dar, the next stop, is 560 kilometres from Addis Ababa, has daily Ethiopian Airlines flights and a number of good hotels, and is located on the southern shores of Lake tana, the source of the Blue nile, with its ancient island monasteries and the Blue niles’ most spectacular feature, the tis isat waterfalls. On the island of dega Estefanos you will find the church of saint Estifanos which has a priceless collection of icons and manuscripts and houses the mummified remains of a number of Ethiopian emperors.

Gondar which Emperor Fasilidas founded as his capital in 1636, is the site of numerous castle-like palaces, dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. the city was Ethiopia’s capital until the reign of Emperor tewodros ii, also known as ‘theodore’. during the long years when it was a capital the settlement emerged as one of the largest, and most populous, cities in the realm. the oldest and most impressive of gondar’s many imperial structures is the palace of Emperor Fasilidas. there are also numerous other fascinating historical buildings and relics, the most spectacular being, debre Berhan selassie.

places and travel Lieux et voyages

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Above: A female vendor behind a display of sacks of cereals and pulses for sale at a market, Gojam province

Ci-dessus: Une femme vendeuse derrière un étalage de sacs de céréales et de légumes au marché, dans la province de Gojam

Axum: halfway by road to Axum from Addis Ababa is Ras dashen which, at 4,543 metres, is Africa’s fourth-highest mountain. Axum, the northernmost stop along the route, is the site of Ethiopia’s most ancient city and is renowned for its Cathedral of st. Mary of Zion, where, as legend has it, the original Ark of the Covenant is housed. Axum is also famous for its seven mysterious monolithic stelae, carved from single pieces of granite and with identical decorations. the biggest of them is 33 metres high and weighs over 500 tonnes. it was the largest monolith in the world but fell at some time in the past.

Yeha in the administrative region of tigray, was possibly Ethiopia’s oldest major settlement. An hour-and-a-half’s drive from the ancient city of Axum, with at least one obligatory photostop on the journey, it is little more than five kilometres from the modern commercial centre of Adwa. Yeha, which is set amid imposing mountain scenery, is well worth visiting. it is the site of the country’s most ancient temple, a remarkable huge stone structure, and a fine and richly endowed Ethiopian church of more modern times.

Makale: On the return journey to Addis Ababa the route takes you through Makale, 777 kilometres from the capital. it is famous for its rock-hewn churches – of which there are some 200 in the region – beautifully decorated and some house important religious artefacts.

Lalibela: the last stop on the route is Lalibela, 642 kilometres from the capital, with good hotels and with daily Ethiopian Airlines flights. Once the thriving capital of mediaeval dynasty, Lalibela is internationally renowned for its rock-hewn churches which are sometimes called the eighth wonder of the world. Carved out of the rock in which they stand, these towering edifices seem to be of superhuman creation in scale, workmanship and concept.

Harar: Off the oval-shaped, almost north-south historical route, is harar, 523 kilometres due east of Addis Ababa. the most dominant features of harar are its strong encircling walls, which tightly embrace the town, its rich and exciting market place – probably the most colourful in Ethiopia – its 99 mosques and the fully restored Rimbaud’s house named after the eccentric French poet. harar has managed to retain its mediaeval character, charm and glory and is now a fascinating stopover for the traveller.

Omo Valley: Reckoned by enthusiasts to be one of Africa’s premier locations for white-water rafting, the Omo River’s early fury takes it through gorges hundreds of metres deep and over fish and the huge shapes of crocodile and hippo.

On the final leg of its journey south to turkana, the Omo forms the

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Axoum: A mi-chemin de la route menant d’Addis-Abeba à Axoum, se trouve le Ras dashen qui culmine à 4.543 mètres, et est la quatrième montagne la plus élevée d’Afrique. Axoum, l’étape la plus au nord de la route, est le site de la plus ancienne ville éthiopienne et est renommé pour sa cathédrale de sainte Marie de sion, où, d’après la légende, se trouve l’Arche de l’Alliance. Axoum est aussi renommée pour ses sept mystérieuses stèles monolithiques, gravées dans de simples pièces de granit et présentant des décorations identiques. La plus grande d’entre elles a 33 mètres de hauteur et pèse plus de 500 tonnes. il s’agit d’un des plus grand monolithe du monde, qui a cependant sombré dans l’oubli dans le passé.

Yéha qui se trouve dans la région administrative de tigray, était probablement l’établissement le plus ancien d’Ethiopie. A une heure et demie de route de l’ancienne cité d’Axoum, qui exige au moins un arrêt photo obligatoire, se trouve le centre commercial moderne d’Adwa. A un peu plus de cinq kilomètres, Yéha, qui peut se prévaloir d’être un des plus imposants décors de montagne, mérite vraiment le détour. C’est là que l’on trouve un des temples les plus anciens, une structure de pierre gigantesque et une église éthiopienne magnifique richement dotée datant de temps plus modernes.

Makale: sur le chemin du retour vers Addis-Abeba, vous traversez Makale, à 777 kilomètres de la capitale. Makale est renommé pour ses églises taillées dans la roche –il y en a environ deux cents dans la région – merveilleusement décorées et par quelques artéfacts religieux importants.

Ci-dessus : Détails d’une église creusée dans la roche à Lalibela (encadré) Foule de gens au cours des célébrations du Lalibela

Above: Detail of a rock-hewn church in Lalibela (inset) Masses of people in one of the Lalibela celebrations

Lalibela: La dernière étape sur la route est Lalibela, à 642 kilomètres de la capitale, avec de bons hôtels et des vols quotidiens d’Ethiopian Airlines. Longtemps la florissante capitale de la dynastie médiévale, Lalibela est reconnue internationalement pour ses églises taillées dans la roche, dont on parle parfois comme les huitièmes merveilles du monde ! taillés dans le rocher sur lequel ils s’élèvent, ces édifices géants semblent provenir d’une création surhumaine tant par leur maîtrise architecturale que par leur conception.

Harar: harar se trouve à 523 kilomètres plein est de Addis-Abeba, sur la route historique de forme ovale presque nord-sud. Ce qui caractérise le mieux harar ce sont les murailles qui encerclent étroitement la ville, la place de son marché riche et palpitant - probablement l’un des plus coloré d’Ethiopie – ses 99 mosquées et la maison complètement restaurée à laquelle on a donné le nom du célèbre et excentrique poète français Rimbaud. harar est arrivée à garder son caractère médiéval, son charme et sa gloire et est donc aujourd’hui une étape fascinante pour le voyageur. La Vallée de l’Omo: Connue par les enthousiastes comme un des meilleurs endroits d’Afrique pour y pratiquer le rafting en eau vive, la violence du courant de la rivière Omo vous mène au commencement à travers des gorges, profondes de centaines de mètres, par-dessus des poissons, des crocodiles et des hippopotames d’une taille imposante.

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border between Kefa and gamo gofa provinces. it is here that Ethiopia’s largest nature sanctuary, the Omo national park – one of the richest in spectacle and game and yet one of the least-visited areas in East and Central Africa – is located. the Mago national park, has been established on the eastern bank of the river: a land of endless, distant horizons. Most easily reached from the town of Jinka, Mago national park is mainly savannah, with some forested areas around the rivers. it was set up to conserve the large numbers of plains animals in the area.

the parks are extensive wilderness areas and wildlife can be prolific. the birds are also typical of the dry grassland habitat, featuring bustards, hornbills, weavers and starlings.

top: A pair of adult Thick-billed Raven close to their nesting ledge in the south-eastern highlands of Ethiopia. In common

with most ‘Corvids’, they are gregarious when not breeding and roost communally | Above: Ethiopian wolves overlooking

the Sanetti Plateau

Ci-dessus: Une paire de corbeaux adultes à gros becs près de leurs lieux de nidification au sud-est des montagnes éthiopiennes.

Comme la plupart des corvidés, ils sont grégaires en-dehors de leurs périodes de reproduction et s’installent en communautés.

Ci-dessus: Garçon de Dorze avec un instrument de musique fait de bambou

Au cours de la dernière étape du voyage vers le sud jusqu’à turkana, l’Omo constitue la frontière entre les provinces de Kéfa et de gamo gofa. C’est là que se trouve le plus grand sanctuaire de nature de toute l’Ethiopie, la parc national de l’Omo – un des plus riches pour le spectacle et le gibier, et pourtant l’une des zones les moins visitées de l’Afrique centrale et orientale. Le parc national Mago a été installé sur les rives orientales de la rivière : un lieu où l’horizon se perd à l’infini. Ce parc national Mago, qu’on atteint plus facilement en partant de la ville de Jinka, est principalement constitué de savane avec quelques zones forestières autour des rivières. il a été créé pour préserver l’énorme quantité d’animaux naturels de la région.

Le parc se compose de larges zones désertes et la vie sauvage peut y proliférer. Les oiseaux sont aussi typiques de cet habitat de prairies sèches, et on y observe des outardes, des calaos, des tisserins et des étourneaux.

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Ethiopia is a land of natural contrasts, from the tops of the rugged simien mountains to the depths of the danakil depression which, at 120 metres below sea level, is one of the lowest dryland points on earth.

the cornucopia of natural beauty that blesses Ethiopia offers an astonishing variety of landscapes: Afro-Alpine highlands soaring to around 4,300 metres, deserts sprinkled with salt flats and yellow sulphur, lakelands with rare and beautiful birds, moors and mountains, the splendour of the great Rift valley, white-water rivers, savannah teeming with game, giant waterfalls, dense and lush jungle ... the list is endless.

the Bale Mountains national park, which covers an area of 2,470 square kilometres, contains Ethiopia’s second highest peak, Mount Batu (4,307 metres). it is an area where one can either walk or drive, one of the best places to see the endemic simien red fox, the mountain nyala and Menelik’s bushbuck. Amongst a profusion of birds, other animals to be seen include Anubis baboons, colobus monkeys, giant forest hog, lions and leopards. the creeks of the park, which become important rivers further down, offer some of Africa’s finest fishing for both rainbow and brown trout.

the two southernmost of the chain of Ethiopia’s Rift valley lakes, Abaya and Chamo, are the lushest in vegetation and the richest in wildlife. the nechisar national park embraces the eastern shores of the lakes and was established as a sanctuary for the endemic swayne’s hartebeest. the lakes support many species of fish, including the nile perch and the tiger fish, as well as hordes of hippos and crocodiles. the bluff between the lakes has numerous springs, after which the nearest town, Arba Minch, ‘40 springs’, is named.

not far from the Bale Mountains is one of the world’s most spectacular and extensive underground caverns: the sof Omar cave system. Formed by the web River as it changed its course in the distant past and carved a new channel through limestone foothills, sof Omar is an extraordinary natural phenomenon of breathtaking beauty.

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Above: Scorched soda flats of Afar Desert in the Danakil Depression

Ci-dessus: Buvettes de soda sous la canicule dans le désert des Afars, dans la dépression du Danakil

L’Ethiopie est un pays de contrastes naturels, qu’il s’agisse des sommets accidentés des monts simien ou des profondeurs de la dépression des danakils, laquelle se situe à 120 mètres sous le niveau de la mer, ce qui est un des points de terre ferme le plus bas sur la terre.

La corne d’abondance de la beauté naturelle dont l’Ethiopie est dotée offre une infinie variété de paysages époustouflants : des montagnes Afro-Alpines qui s’élancent vers le ciel jusqu’à une hauteur de 4.300 mètres, des déserts parsemés de taches de sel et de souffre jaune, des régions de lacs autour desquelles on peut admirer de beaux oiseaux rares, des landes et des montagnes, la splendeur de la grande vallée du Rift, des rivières d’eau vive, des savanes avec de gigantesques cascades, des jungles denses et luxuriantes... la liste en serait infinie.

Le parc national des montagnes du Balé, qui couvre une superficie de 2.470 kilomètres carrés, contient le second pic le plus élevé d’Ethiopie, le Mont Batu (4.307 mètres). il s’agit d’une zone que l’on peut parcourir à la fois à pied ou en voiture, un des meilleurs endroits pour y apercevoir le renard roux, un endémique simien, le nyala des montagnes et l’antilope de Ménélik. Outre la profusion d’oiseaux qu’on peut apercevoir, on trouve aussi d’autres animaux comme les babouins d’Anubis, les macaques colobus, des cochons géants des forêts, des lions et des léopards. Les ruisseaux du parc, qui deviendront plus loin d’importantes rivières offrent des lieux de pêche les meilleurs d’Afrique pour les truites brunes comme pour les truites arc-en-ciel.

Les deux lacs situés le plus au sud de la chaîne de la vallée du Rift éthiopien, le lac Abaya et le lac Chamo, bénéficient de la végétation la plus luxuriante et de la faune et la flore la plus riche. Le parc national néchisar s’étend sur les côtes orientales des lacs et a été créé comme sanctuaire pour la protection de l’espèce endémique des cerfs de swayne. Ces lacs contiennent de nombreuses espèces de poissons, dont la perche du nil et le poisson tigre ainsi que des hordes d’hippopotames et de crocodiles. L’espace entre les lacs contient de nombreuses sources, d’où le nom de la ville la plus proche, Arba Minch, “40 sources”.

non loin des montagnes du Balé se trouvent les cavernes les plus spectaculaires et les plus vastes du monde : le système de caverne appelé sof Omar. Formé par la rivière web au moment où elle a changé son cours dans le lointain passé, et où elle a creusé un nouveau chenal à travers les collines de calcaire, sof Omar est un phénomène naturel extraordinaire d’une beauté à vous couper le souffle.


top left and right: Beautiful people of Ethiopia En haut à droite et à gauche: Le magnifique peuple d’Ethiopie

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Ethiopia, like many other African countries, is a multi-ethnic state. Many distinctions have been blurred by intermarriage over the years but many also remain. there are 200 different dialects. the semitic languages of Ethiopia are related to both hebrew and Arabic, and derived from ge’ez, the ecclesiastical language. the principle semitic language spoken in the north-western and central part of the country is Amharic, which is also the official language of the modern state.

Other main languages are tigrigna, guragigna, harari, Afar Oromo, somaligna, sidamigna, Afarigna, gumuz, Berta and Anuak. the tigrigna- and Amharic-speaking people of the north of the country are mainly agriculturalists, tilling the soil with ox-drawn ploughs and growing teff (a local millet), wheat, barley, maize and sorghum. the most southerly of the semitic speakers, the gurage, are also farmers and herders, but many are also craftsmen. the Cushitic Oromo, formerly nomadic pastoralists, are mainly engaged in agriculture and, in the more arid areas, cattle-breeding. the somali, also pastoral nomads, forge a living in hot and arid bush country, while the Afar, semi-nomadic pastoralists and fishermen occupy one of the most inhospitable desert or semi desert areas around the danakil depression. they are certainly proud and individualistic, and eke a living out of the challenging wilderness. Living near the Omo River are the Mursi, well-known for the large clay discs that the women wear inserted in a slit in their lower lips.

Elsewhere around the country there are a number of smaller communities whose cultures, languages and traditions are related to different facets of Ethiopia’s long history.

Folk culture is also an important element of today’s Ethiopia. Artists and craftsmen make their own contributions to the country’s cultural and social development. Almost every town has its own cultural troupe made up of singers and dancers, poets and writers, and its own cultural hall in which the troupe recreates the songs and dances of a bygone age in a particular area.

Ethiopian people

L’Ethiopie, comme de nombreux autres pays africains, est un état multiethnique. de nombreuses différences se sont estompées au cours des ans à cause des mariages interethniques mais il en reste cependant. il existe par exemple 200 différents dialectes. Les langues sémites d’Ethiopie sont liées à la fois à l’hébreu et à l’arabe et dérivent du guèze, la langue religieuse. La principale langue sémitique parlée au nord-ouest et au centre du pays est l’amharic, qui est aussi la langue officielle de l’état moderne.

d’autres langues importantes sont le tigrigna, les dialectes gouragués, l’harari, l’afar Oromo, le somalien, le sidamigna, l’afarigna, le gumuz, le berta et l’anuak. Les locuteurs du tigrigna et de l’amharic du nord du pays sont principalement des agriculteurs, qui labourent leurs champs avec des charrues tirées par des boeufs et font pousser du teff (un millet local) du blé, de l’orge, du maïs et du sorgho. Les locuteurs d’une langue sémitique habitant plus au sud, les gourages, sont eux aussi des fermiers et des bergers, mais plusieurs d’entre eux sont aussi artisans. Les Oromos cushitiques, précédemment bergers nomades, sont principalement engagés dans l’agriculture et font de l’élevage. Les somaliens, eux aussi bergers nomades, vivent dans des régions de brousse chaudes et arides, tandis que les Afars, bergers semi-nomades et pêcheurs occupent l’un des désert ou semi désert le plus inhospitalier des régions autour de la dépression de la plaine des danakils. ils sont certainement fiers et individualistes et arrivent à survivre dans des régions particulièrement sauvages. Les Mursis vivent non loin de la rivière Omo, et ils sont bien connus pour les larges disques d’argile que leurs femmes portent dans une incision qui leur est faite sous la lèvre inférieure.

On trouve encore ailleurs dans le pays un certain nombre de communautés plus petites dont les cultures, les langues et les traditions remontent aux différents aspects de la longue histoire de l’Ethiopie.

La culture du peuple est elle aussi un élément important de l’Ethiopie d’aujourd’hui. des artistes et des artisans apportent chacun leur propre contribution au développement culturel et social du pays. presque toutes les villes ont leur propre troupe culturelle faite de chanteurs et de danseurs, de poètes et d’écrivains et ont aussi leur propre salle culturelle dans laquelle la troupe recrée les chants et les danses d’un temps révolu dans une région donnée.

Le peuple éthiopien


the merchants of old-time Ethiopia were mentioned in the late 13th century by the great venetian traveller Marco polo. he states that Ethiopia was “much frequented” by such traders, who earned

“large profits” from their business. Ethiopian trade in those days was conducted at innumerable markets

throughout the length and breadth of the land, and was based on both short-distance and long-distance commerce.

short-distance trade was centred almost entirely on local markets, in most cases held weekly, and often called after the day they met, e.g. senyo gabaya, or Monday market, Meksenyo gabaya, or tuesday market, etc. trade at such markets was based very largely on the age-old system of barter, that is to say the exchange of goods for goods, without the intervention of money. such markets would be attended mainly by the local peasantry, who would bring their produce for sale. some markets might on the other hand be dominated by monks, who often attended regularly to sell the produce of their nearby monastic lands.

goods exposed for sale at such markets would consist largely of grain, butter and honey, berbere, or red pepper, and other spices, as well as cattle, horses, mules and other livestock, hides and skins, and sometimes locally grown raw cotton, which would subsequently be spun into thread and woven into cloth in the neighbourhood.

Long-distance trade, though also mainly carried out at local markets, was on the other hand largely based on caravans, composed primarily of travelling merchants, many of them Muslims, who were deeply involved in the import-export trade. such merchants made their way far and wide: mainly to the Red sea and gulf of Aden ports, among them Massawa, hergigo, Zeila and Berbera. Other traders ventured far and beyond: to Egypt, Arabia, persia and india, and even further afield to sri Lanka and China. such Ethiopian markets specialised in the sale of valuable imports, including indian cottons, Chinese silks, and European manufactured goods of all kinds, as well as the country’s principal exports, among them gold, ivory and civet musk.

some of the more important Ethiopian markets were situated at capitals, or such-like major towns, but others were located in the open countryside, and owed their importance only to the value of the merchandise they handled – and to the vast number of persons who flocked there as vendors and purchasers.

itinerant merchants, in the old days, often rode around the country in large numbers, in many cases a thousand or two strong. they were in many cases under the command of a negadras, or Chief of trade.

For the most part, however, they travelled only during the dry season, for “nobody”, we are told, travelled during the heavy rains, from the middle of June to the middle of september – and even then the rivers, in the absence of roads, tended to be impassable for several weeks.

One of the most notable caravans, which fascinated foreign observers for literally hundreds of years, was the great salt caravan. this was the caravan which transported the amole, or rectangular bars of rock-salt, which were mined in the great Afar salt depression of northern Ethiopia, and in the old days circulated instead of money. the early 16th century portuguese traveller Francisco Alvares saw one such caravan comprising three or four hundred pack animals “in herds, laden with salt”, while others he saw were making their way back to the Afar country in search

of further supplies. Other caravans belonged, he reports, to “big lords”, who sent them to the salt plains every year to obtain salt bars to meet their expenses at court. Other caravans were composed of smaller groups of merchants who took with them “droves of 20 or 30 beasts”, or else groups of human porters who transported salt to “make a profit from market to market”.

A century or so later the portuguese Jesuit missionary Manoel de Almeida described the road from the salt-producing region of tigray to the province of dambeya, near the then capital, gorgora by Lake tana, as “constantly full’ of salt caravans. Many, he records, consisted of no less than 1,000 porters, as well as

perhaps 500 donkeys, who found the journey particularly arduous.the Ethiopian use of barter, which was then little known in Europe,

caught the imagination of Alvares. he reports that people with bread might exchange it for cloth, and with the cloth obtain mules or cows, or whatever they wanted, including salt, incense, pepper, myrrh, camphor, and other small articles.

the principal Ethiopian trade routes in the old days led from the capital, situated somewhere in the temperate highlands, to the Red sea and gulf of Aden ports – or towards the sudan. travelling merchants were taxed at the country’s frontier, as normally the case throughout the world, but also at numerous kella, or internal customs posts, scattered in many parts of the realm.

Ethiopia, a land of towering mountains and deep ravines, in many places surrounded by scorching and waterless deserts, might seem at first a difficult country for itinerant merchants. they were, however, by no means deterred by such geographical difficulties, and, riding in the mountains by mule and in the lowlands by camel, played an important role in keeping their often politically beleaguered country in commercial and cultural contact with the outside world.

The Itinerant Traders of Old-Time Ethiopia

By Richard pankhurst

the itinerant traders of Old-time Ethiopia

Salt merchants

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Life is full of twisted irony, and this is particularly true in the world of the supercar. By the time you can afford one, chances are you’ll have grown out of the idea. And

if not, you should have. there is nothing more pathetic than an open-top Ferrari screaming through town with the last greying wisps of hair on the owner’s head dancing in the wind, but the Aston Martin Rapide could just be the answer to that.

And as i sling the first four-door Aston Martin into a mountain road on the outskirts of valencia at a speed that would send most cars spinning hopelessly into the trees and the gorgeous six-litre v12 engine note hardens to a spine-tingling howl, it’s immediately apparent that Aston has not sacrificed the core values that have made the marque a legend. this is a real sportscar; it just happens to have four seats and a veneer of respectability to go with its outrageous 470 brake horsepower (bhp)headline figure.

the marque kept facing the same requests for a practical version of the achingly beautiful Aston Martin dB9(david Brown, the owner of Aston Martin for significant part of its history). it could be golf clubs, it could be kids, it could be a wife that didn’t want a mid-life crisis car. there were all sorts of reasons. the Rapide is the impressive solution to all of them and Aston expects to sell 2000 a year, even at £139,950.

FEATURE phOtOs COURtEsY OF niCK hALL

Motoring … by nick hall.

A fleet awaits our arrival in valencia, chosen for its good weather as well as its collision of heritage and modern architecture that embodies the new world Aston Martin, and the motoring press from around the world descends to try the car that Aston hopes will take the world by storm. despite sitting on a hugely expensive car facing obvious competition from the likes of the cheaper porsche panamera turbo in a world in the midst of economic meltdown, nobody is nervous….

designer Marek Reichman worked long and hard to incorporate the four doors into what is, essentially, an Aston Martin dB9 shape with approximately 30 centimetres more to play with lengthwise and a little more headroom. the rear doors are small, and arch upwards to stay within the confines of classic gaydon design philosophies, and the effort that went into the glass-to-glass doors closing mechanism, deemed essential to get the correct look, has to be seen to be believed. Even the rear grab handle, a solid billet of aluminium that connects to a hidden magnet in the frame, is worthy of mention.

now the rear seats might be the car’s Raison d’Etre, so i hit the back seat for a small portion of our test, and it’s certainly cosy in there. headroom isn’t an issue for anyone less than 6 feet tall; there’s plenty of space, but the way the seats restrain the passenger and cannot back slightly means i wouldn’t

Above: The truly immense Aston Martin Rapide car


there’s a wondrous balance, an inherent ‘rightness’ about the set-up that allows you to simply forget the two seats in the back – until the kids throw up on the expensive leather ….

the noise isn’t as raw and ready as the raucous Aston Martin dBs and at low revolutions it’s a distant rumble. But when it hits 4000 the floodgates open and the note hardens to a deep, satisfying mechanical roar. it’s not quite as fast as the out-and-out sportscars in the line-up, hitting 60 miles per hour (mph) in 5.1 seconds and it even feels, dare we say it, a touch lethargic low down in the rev range.

But once into the midrange it really flies and won’t top out until it hits 188 mph. there’s nowhere on this Earth where you really need to go faster and, more importantly, it feels faster than most cars in its class.

For all the small touches, for all the clever luxuries, dvd players in the head rests and interesting points on the production line tour, it is that hard charge along the mountain road that defines the Rapide experience.

it is a truly immense car that is just what big balding kids – that should know better – have been looking for.

Engine: 6-litre v12power: 470 bhptorque: 600 nm0-60mph: 5.1 secondstop speed: 188 mph

want more than an hour or two in there, even with the dvd player set into the headrest, the concert hall-standard Bang & Olufsen stereo or the individual air conditioning. For despite the opulent trimmings this is, after all, no luxury limousine – it’s a big sportscar.

the Aston squashed the worst of the local roads that are truly agricultural even before we left the limits of valencia. And in ‘drive’ mode with the suspension set to ‘soft’ it’s smoother than a shaved egg.

But then as our map reading goes awry in the centre of town and we need to beat four lanes of determined spanish traffic to hit the off ramp for the City of Arts and sciences that sits in the dried out riverbed running through valencia. i just click the sublime touchtronic 2 ZF gearbox into manual mode with the paddle shift and plant the throttle. then the sportscar within comes howling to the fore.

there’s nowhere on this Earth where you really need to go faster and, more importantly, it feels faster than most cars in its class.

it’s because beyond the confines of the city the car truly comes alive. with the adaptive damping set to ‘firm’ and the ‘sport’ mode engaged to hold the gear firmly in place until you tell it to shift up, even if that means hitting the redline, this is a real, honest-to-goodness sportscar.

the nose cuts in with surety, precision and tensile strength and then with a subtle nibble at each corner the traction control cuts in almost imperceptibly to keep this hulking mass of metal on a perfect drifting path with the subtle feedback of

paddle shifts generally lie dormant in luxury cars once the initial novelty of playing F1 has worn off, but with the Rapide they’ll form an integral part of the drive home every day and it’s lucky that the rear seats are so sculpted and supportive. it’s not hard to imagine dad getting carried away with his hard-driving James Bond fantasy and forget they’re there, until the time arrives to remove the shaken, stirred and possibly traumatised youngster from the car.

a sportscar pulsing through the leather-bound rim. there’s a track mode, which allows a greater degree of slip at the rear, but on a winding spanish backroad with a cliff face on one side and a serious drop on the other it felt right to leave that for another day. with the electronics fully engaged, though,

Above: It is essentially, an Aston Martin DB� shape with approximately 30 centimetres more to play with lengthwise and a little more headroom

Right: Audio and climate controls on the centre tunnel

For more information:Tel :251-11-466 1380, Fax: 251-11-465 3037P.O. BOX 12752, SWIFT: DASHETAAE-mail: [email protected]

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FEATURE phOtOs © BRiAn JOhnstOn

il n’existe pas de moment plus agréable à new York que de se trouver au coin de la Cinquième Avenue en train de contempler la scène autour de vous tout en mordant dans

un hot-dog rempli de moutarde chaude et de petits légumes macérés dans du vinaigre. Les petits snacks farcis sont la quintessence de new York ainsi que ce qui se passe autour de vous: de la vapeur sortant paresseusement d’orifices faits dans le trottoir, un flot de taxis jaunes klaxonnant et faisant des embardées, et tout autour de vous des magasins aux noms connus comme des icônes et d’impressionnants gratte-ciels enjolivés de fioritures Art déco.

On trouve des stands de hot-dogs à chaque coin de rue tout le long de la Cinquième Avenue et d’ailleurs partout dans new York. Ces étalages métalliques déplaçables sont fort probablement tenus, ces temps-ci, par des immigrants du Moyen-Orient et, tandis que vous mastiquez votre hot-dog vous entendrez de la musique arabe à quatre sous sortir des radios à transistor. vous pouvez aussi acheter des bretzels -

Les plats de Brian Johnston d’après quelques-uns de ses succulents tuyaux concernant les meilleurs endroits de dégustation à new York.

Une bouchée de la grosse pommelarges tortillons de pain en forme de papillon saupoudrés de cristaux de sel – des boites de boisson gazeuse à base d’extraits végétaux et celles du dr pepper.

Le goût est typiquement américain, mais n’en soyez pas déçus. C’est une tradition ancienne à new York que de manger un hot-dog au bord du chemin, mais la nourriture, dans cette ville, est aussi variée que les gens qui y habitent. Faites une tournée culinaire à new York et vous serez surpris et satisfaits par le superbe choix de plats qui vous sera offert, depuis des snacks à un dollar jusqu’aux repas dans des restaurants de classe qui peuvent facilement être considérés comme les meilleurs du monde.

Une des meilleures façons d’apprécier les options de restauration dans la ville est de faire appel aux services d’accueil de la grosse pomme –à coup sûr l’une des meilleures idées jamais imaginées pour les touristes. tout ce que vous avez à faire est de vous connecter avec le site de « greeter » et de vous apparier avec un guide volontaire local qui vous

Ci-dessous: Une chambre offrant une belle vue; repas sans pareils servis à l’Hôtel International Trump qui surplombe Central Parc

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accompagnera dans ses environs, en vous régalant à la fois de commérages locaux et de vues à retenir, en même temps qu’il vous fera découvrir les meilleurs endroits pour manger. il vous montrera ce restaurant local à l’intérieur décoré d’un Art nouveau éblouissant devant lequel vous seriez autrement passé sans vous arrêter. Un assortiment de fromages que vous n’auriez jamais imaginé chez Murray sur l’ouest de la onzième rue. Ce petit gâteau dans une caissette en papier dans la célèbre boulangerie « sexe dans la ville ». il existe aussi des délices cachés rien que dans l’ouest du village, où vous pourriez bien passer une demi-journée avec votre accompagnateur de la grosse pomme, en arpentant les rues et les magasins chics. Quand vous serez fatigué de vagabonder tout autour, reposez vos pieds au Cochon à pois: the spotted pig. On doit y trouver une des meilleurs nourriture de pub de new York ainsi que les meilleurs cakes au chocolat de toute la ville (et le Michelin le pense très certainement, puisqu’il a attribué à l’endroit une étoile convoitée); vous ne savez pas ce qu’est vraiment un cake au chocolat avant d’en avoir laissé fondre un dans votre bouche.

Une autre partie du bas de Manhattan gagne du terrain dans les investissements destinés à la mode et on y trouve noLita, un pays des merveilles de la mode dans lequel les personnalités se bousculent pour y trouver d’invraisemblables vêtements dans des petites boutiques ressemblant à des musées. C’est aussi l’endroit où se restaurer, avec un choix varié de restaurants très renommés. Le meilleur des meilleurs est le Blue Ribbon sushi, sur la rue sullivan, où les clients grignotent le poisson cru, peut-être inquiets du fait que s’ils mangent quelque chose de plus substantiel, ils ne seront plus capables d’entrer dans les vêtements des boutiques environnantes. Attendez-vous à attendre une table dehors entourés de stars de la télévision et de politiciens; cet endroit est tellement branché qu’il ne vaut pas la peine d’y faire des réservations. Le restaurant a environ la taille d’une garde-robe, mais il y règne un calme Zen tout en y servant des plats de grande qualité comme le thon vermeil et le homard du Maine. En ce qui concerne la vaisselle orientale, elle est tout simplement exquise.

Les amoureux des fruits de mer peuvent tout aussi facilement se diriger vers l’Aquagrill, sur la rue du printemps (spring street) où les fruits de mer du monde entier atterrissent chaque jour, vous permettant ainsi de goûter les délices d’un sashimi d’ormeau de mer, d’un espadon de Floride ou d’un saumon de l’Atlantique. il existe une variété craquante d’huîtres, dont celle

incroyablement crémeuse bizarrement connue sous le nom de lagunes de canoës d’Alaska. vous trouverez également sur la même rue un restaurant italien, le Fiamma Osteria, qui une fois de plus donne la preuve que new York est toujours capable de sortir de nouvelles versions des cuisines habituelles. n’espérez pas trouver des spaghettis bolognaises au menu; découvrez plutôt les délices de garganelli (des pâtes faites main en forme de plumes), et du beurre de truffe tartiné sur votre pain.

il vous faut encore plus de preuves que new York est l’une des meilleures destinations culinaires au monde ? Qui pourrait croire qu’on peut vous servir une bouffe décente dans une station de train ? La réputée grande gare Centrale s’est jetée dans un nouveau style après une réorganisation complète. Le plafond de la plus grande salle des pas perdus est d’un bleu de coquille d’œufs et repeint avec des constellations, les accès d’entrée sont d’une monumentale splendeur et l’incessant

Faites un tour culinaire de new York et vous serez surpris et apprécierez l’incroyable choix de repas qui vous sera offert.

Ci-dessus: Vue panoramique de la ville de New York

A droite: La Statue de la Liberté


flot de gens vous hypnotise. On trouve au sous-sol un hall rempli de plats de style européen tels que d’extravagants flancs au fromage blanc, des pains frais, une étonnante variété de fromages et des tas d’autres choses, que vous pourriez entasser pour faire un grand pique-nique à Central park. dans les couloirs environnants vous pourrez aussi découvrir de bons wagons-restaurants aux avant-postes des restaurants les plus branchés de new York. La Maison du steak de Michael Jordan a profité de la splendeur des Arts décoratifs de la gare et ailleurs vous pourrez déguster des huîtres ou boire un cocktail pendant que les trains manoeuvrent. Ceci est le chic industriel sous son meilleur aspect et est une image totalement new-yorkaise.

A dix minutes de marche de la grande gare Centrale, vous vous retrouverez dans un tout autre point de repère de new York, le Centre Rockefeller. glissez-vous dans le Café Rock Center pour y goûter de la cuisine succulente comme des excellents cakes au crabe ou de la salade de canard. Ce qui est étonnant pour un endroit touristique, c’est que la nourriture s’est améliorée à cette occasion, attirant non seulement des touristes mais des hommes d’affaires et des clients de la Cinquième Avenue. La cuisine est toute petite, mais ce qui en sort est d’un goût exquis; les soupes y sont délicieuses tout comme les desserts. Un de ceux-ci, composé de mûres réconfortantes, est juste ce qu’il vous faut avant de vous introduire dans la fameuse patinoire Rockefeller pour y faire un tour sous les lumières hivernales. A défaut de faire cela, le café offre une perspective magique: vous pouvez simplement y observer les autres tournoyant sur la glace, avec une vue sur la bien connue statue d’or de prométhée et sur la tour centrale élancée du complexe Rockefeller.

pour ceux qui ont bon appétit, dirigez-vous en toute hâte vers payard, sur l’avenue Lexington, qui, en seulement quelques années, s’est fait une réputation du diable pour ses pâtisseries et ses amuse-gueules français. des tartes aux fruits, du tatin caramélisé aux pommes, de la glace à la fleur d’oranger et des mille feuilles crémeuses ne sont que des avant-goûts de la sélection qui enchantera vos yeux mais horrifiera les balances de vos salles de bains. La devanture de payard est composée d’une cafétéria confortable et accueillante où vous pourrez vous détendre sous des vitrines remplies de trésors sucrés. A l’arrière, vous pouvez vous asseoir plus confortablement et y prendre un repas si le cœur vous en dit; le foie gras est incroyable, comme d’ailleurs le crabe chaud du Maine accompagné de champignons shiitake. payard est un superbe exemple de la manière dont new York, apparemment sans effort, joint l’exotique – comme la salade de caille accompagnée de cerises à la vinaigrette – mais n’hésite pas à vous servir une superbe version d’un steak-frites français, ce plat depuis longtemps favori des Américains.

Avec une telle remarquable variété de plats, qu’ils soient servis pour des déjeuners, des dîners ou de simples pause-café, on peut se demander où aller pour un dernier petit déjeuner ou un thé d’après-midi. vous pouvez choisir de vous acheminer de nouveau vers la Cinquième Avenue, sur laquelle, juste en face de l’un de ces stands de hot-dogs, surgit l’entrée tarabiscotée de l’hôtel péninsule. C’est à cet endroit qu’on trouve les meilleurs petits-déjeuners sur la Cinquième Avenue: vous pouvez sans

UnE BOUChéE dE LA gROssE pOMME

vergogne y espionner des transactions de millions de dollars tandis que vous vous goinfrez de gaufres légèrement chaudes aux mûres de forêt. dans l’après-midi, le thé servi à cet hôtel est lui aussi renommé, servi majestueusement sur des plateaux d’argent à plusieurs niveaux. Les conversations fusent dans le salon de thé qui se trouve juste après le couloir, lequel ressemble lui-même à un superbe gâteau de mariage fabriqué à base de crème et de glace rosée.

vous pouvez vous attarder longuement dans cet hôtel, mais essayez d’y résister: il existe encore un dernier arrêt que vous devez faire dans votre tour culinaire de new- York. si vous êtes prêts à ouvrir votre tirelire pour faire la plus folle dépense de toute votre vie, alors il n’y a pas de meilleur endroit où vous arrêter qu’au restaurant Jean georges, le restaurant le plus sensationnel des restaurants sensationnels de la ville. trois étoiles au guide Michelin et des tas d’autres marques d’approbation ont rendu cette destination idéale pour les gourmands new-yorkais. La nourriture cuisinée par le célèbre chef français Jean georges vongerichten combine des textures nouvelles avec le régal des yeux, en même temps qu’avec des mélanges de goûts différents – essayez le thon sashimi avec le sorbet rose de pamplemousse et l’assaisonnement au chili, et l’agneau au cacao cristallisé et à la marinade de poire caramélisée au beurre.

il est bien sûr vrai que l’un des meilleurs restaurants de new York coûte cher. Alors voici mon conseil: installez-vous plutôt à l’hôtel international trump qui se trouve juste au-dessus du fameux restaurant, et où le service de chambre sort des cuisines du fameux restaurant situé juste en dessous. vous pouvez y déguster pour vingt dollars un des meilleurs bols de soupe à l’oignon que vous aurez jamais goûté, accompagné de pain croustillant et d’un verre de vin rouge. Assoyez-vous à une fenêtre de l’hôtel et admirez l’une des vues les plus spectaculaires de Central park et la silhouette de Manhattan. C’est encore un plus grand plaisir que celui de se trouver sur la Cinquième Avenue avec un hot-dog – c’est new York dans toute sa séduction.

Ci-dessous: De nouvelles occasions de goûts et d’odeurs au concours de repas en wagons-restaurants à la Grande Gare centrale

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the road to harar is green; along the way there are lush fields, terraced farms on slopes, high growing shrubs. the road winds upwards and it winds downwards.

Children dance in its middle; they own it, it is their road; they wave at the car as it weaves around them, calling out to the occupants. My excitement grows as we move up the slopes of the mountains, organic gold; i am going to the city of a poet, the city of an outcast parisian who gave up poetry and turned to trading guns, the adopted city of Arthur Rimbaud.

harar is in the east of Ethiopia. its origins lie somewhere between the 7th and 11th century and it emerged as the centre of islam in the horn of Africa. it has a long history of capture and culture. in 1520 the city was captured by Ahmed gragn, who, from harar, invaded large parts of Ethiopia. in 1875, it was seized by the Egyptians who ruled it for two years, then, in 1887, the Egyptians were displaced by Menelik ii who appointed Ras Makonnen as its governor. it is a propitious city, the fourth holiest city of islam after Makkah, Madinah and Jerusalem, and a governmental one, the provincial capital of the

homage to Arthurhomage to Arthurhomage to Arthur

FEATURE

the ancient Ethiopian city of harar is famous (amongst other things) for once being home to the renegade French poet, Arthur Rimbaud, who gave up writing at the age of 20 and journeyed to Africa to make his fortune. Barbara Adair followed in his footsteps.

largest administrative region in Ethiopia, hararge. separate, discrete and yet within the boundary of a country; a city with its own language and, once, its own currency, a soul city.

Rimbaud, a different character from the somewhat dissolute person he was in paris, learned Arabic and Amharic, took as a lover a high cheek-boned harari woman who did not know where he came from or what he was, and he became a friend of Ras Makonnen. Rimbaud is not known in harar as a poet, instead he is known as Arthur Rimbaud, the European trader who was not afraid to sell hararis guns. he did not want this paradise on earth to become a province of Europe; he did not want to break its magic for it had cast a spell over him. Arthur Rimbaud and Ras Makonnen cared for each other as strangers; they spoke about the town in Amharic and drank fine harar coffee. And Rimbaud, he was happy as this outsider, despite his complaints, for he had predicted it long ago, he lived it as a dream, this was his home.

we drive to the gates of the city. Outside are cars, rows and rows of 1970s peugeots; the cars are old and French and

phOtOs © CAMERApiX

Above: Architecturally interesting interior of the famous Rimbaud House at Harar

JULY - sEptEMER 2010 �7

they are blue. A man stands next to an open bonnet and peers into it; it is smoking, fumes curl upwards into the spicy air; at another a child changes a tyre while a man stands next to him directing the way in which the spanner should be moved.

And then we walk to the old city and touch its years with our footsteps. inside the city i buy the best bread that i have tasted and put tomato on it. the streets are narrow; the city is small so it is easy to walk it. donkeys and motor scooters; Bajaj, the indian motor scooters, roar up the narrow streets, the scooters weaving and honking, the donkeys braying and stamping. the walls of the city are high, in places they are broken down, in others they remain as if they had just been built: this is harar, the world heritage site.

we check into the Ras hotel; the corridors are wide for this hotel is old. the staircase is spacious, white marble. the imagination stirs as i picture Menelik ii walking downwards into the wide-open area below, flanked by two spotted purring leopards, his jewelled fingers flash. i walk onto a terrace overhung with purple flowers for a breakfast coffee, broad and expansive. the windows are framed in thick brass; it is dark and cool; i turn to look at a picture of a golden bird.

the walls of harar are pierced by five gates, the number that symbolises the Five pillars of islam; each has its own distinctive name and provides entry to trade caravans travelling to and from different stretches of the surrounding country. in the 19th century the explorer, Richard Burton, came to the city for 10 days, the timbuktu of East Africa, the centre of learning and culture. no foreigners were allowed for they brought with them ill luck and bad fortune, and so he disguised himself in the clothes of a harari before entering the city by the eastern gate.

the streets are uneven, cobbled, the sun is hot and there are few shades. in the evening we take a taxi to the outskirts of the city; here the man that feeds the hyenas meat from his own mouth puts on a nightly show. harar is known for its hyenas, and so the hyenas prowl the streets at night, watching and waiting; hararis do not go out at night, they fear the bandit hyena. the hyena feeding man wears a t-shirt that says ‘toronto’. he smiles a showman’s smile and, for a fee, puts on an astonishing performance. we turn on the headlights of the car; he is illuminated, the eyes of the beasts circle him. in his hands he clasps a reed basket from which he takes the bloody camel meat and puts it on a short stick, he holds the stick in his mouth, the beasts circle him, then one comes close, and takes it. he holds his arms in the air and waves at the small crowd; his face smiles as if from a hollywood billboard.

the following day we walk to the Rimbaud Centre, a house that was not the house that Rimbaud stayed in but the house of an indian trader which has been restored and is now a museum dedicated to the renegade poet. i go inside and look around. there are two rooms; in one are the books of the celebrated poet; Une saison de Enfer, his geographical writings, books and more books, poetry and accounts. in the next room are photographs, a lonely prophet in white stares at the camera, the famous picture of a coffee merchant, the harar houses and streets. (A photograph is a lonely place, no-one inhabits it; it has no smell, no breath.) Upstairs i stand at the window and look out at a city, a walled city, the same city that Rimbaud looked at more than 100 years ago; rooftops and ravens, people that walk, children that sing.

Jean nicolas Arthur Rimbaud (20 October 1854 - 10 november 1891) was a French poet, born in Charle ville, Ardennes. he was part of the decadent movement of the period and his influence on modern literature, music and art has endured. he produced his best known works in his late teens (victor hugo described him at the time as “an infant shakespeare“) and he gave up creative writing altogether before he was 21. he remained a prolific letter-writer throughout his relatively short life. Rimbaud was a restless soul, travelling extensively on three continents before his death from cancer shortly after his 37th birthday. he arrived at harar in 1884 and left in 1891, to seek medical treatment for cancer in France, where he died.

harar is separate, discrete and yet within the boundary of a country; a city with its own language and, once, its own currency, a soul city.

Below: One of the gates through which caravans entered and left the walled city of Harar

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it is sunrise and on the sweetly grassed plains of the African plateau a solitary bird is greeting the new dawn. it lifts its wings and releases a deep, croaking call across the great

Rift valley to the soaring heights of the mountains beyond. i approach the bird cautiously, for this is lion country.

then something moves. As if from nowhere a garter snake appears, slithering sideways across the veld. it skims the surface, barely making an impression in the parched savannah. then suddenly, the bird runs stealthily towards its prey and strikes with extraordinary precision and accuracy. this curious avian predator is the secretary Bird.

Africa is so well endowed with unusual birds of prey that it is impossible to reach unanimity on which is the greatest oddity among them. the majority vote, however, would probably go to the long-legged, terrestrial secretary Bird (sagittarius serpentarius).

there are several ‘families’ of birds that are represented by only one species: the Osprey and the secretary Bird. the latter is singled out because it differs so greatly from all other hawks in having extraordinarily long legs and an unusually long, rigid tail, and in being able to chase its prey on foot.

First described by the English illustrator John Frederick Miller in 1779, the secretary Bird was soon moved to its own genus, sagittarius, by French naturalist Johann hermann in his tabula Affinatum Animalium. it was not until 1935 that the species was moved to its own family, distinct from all other birds of prey.

the generic name sagittarius is Latin for ‘archer’, likening the secretary Bird’s ‘quills’ to a quiver of arrows, and the specific epithet serpentarius recalls the bird’s skill as a hunter of reptiles.

From its name alone there is little clue to the identity and generic affinities of this remarkable bird, which stands 1.3 metres tall, has a 2 metres wingspan and lives on the ground, but in many ways behaves like an eagle. its common name is popularly thought to derive from the crest of long quill-like feathers, lending the bird the appearance of a secretary with quill pens tucked behind his or her ear, as was once common practice in mediaeval England. A more recent hypothesis is that ‘secretary’ is derived from a French corruption of the Arabic term saqr-et-tair, meaning ‘hunter or hawk bird’.

secretary Birds occur throughout the savannah, scrub and grasslands of sub-saharan Africa and they are non-migratory, though some may follow food sources. their range extends from senegal to somalia and south to the Cape of good hope. these curious birds are also found at a variety of elevations, from the coastal plains to the highlands. Open grasslands are its ideal environment, but it avoids areas such as forests and dense shrubbery which may impede their cursorial existence. while the birds roost on the local Acacia trees at night, they spend much of the day on the ground, returning to roosting sites just before dusk. the secretary Bird does not usually rise at dawn, and when the grass is wet they may stay on their roosts until the sun has been up about two hours.

FEATURE phOtOs/ stORY BY pEtER hOLthUsEn

the secretary Bird

Above: The unmistakable flight of the Secretary Bird

JULY - sEptEMER 2010 61

the secretary Bird is largely terrestrial, hunting its prey on foot, and other than the Caracara (such as Caracara plancus), it is the only bird to do so habitually. Adult birds usually hunt in pairs and sometimes in loose familial flocks, walking over the veld with a steady gait of about 40 centimetres a stride at approximately three kilometres per hour. At irregular intervals the pace quickens, probably to surprise prey. the male and female often forage in close proximity to each other, striding through the grassland, head inclined forward, and rolling from left to right with each step. All their food is taken from the ground, and they eat virtually anything that they are capable of catching or overpowering.

their prey consists of insects, small mammals, lizards, snakes, young birds, birds eggs, and sometimes dead animals killed in wildfires. At times prey is chased rapidly, the bird holding out its wings as it dashes about. snakes are dispatched with accurate stamping blows to the head until they are rendered stunned or unconscious enough to swallow. their long legs are covered with thick scales impregnable to snake bite. in such encounters the wings are held outspread, but probably more for balance than with the deliberate intention of luring the snake to strike at them. studies of this latter strategy have helped construct the possible feeding mechanisms employed by the dinosaur-like ‘terror birds’ that once walked the earth five million years ago.

whatever its prey, the secretary Bird kills with its bill or with blows of the feet, and swallows its victim whole. its short-clawed feet, ideal for walking and for striking prey, are incapable of grasping and carrying prey.

the secretary Bird is instantly recognisable as having an ‘eagle-like’ body on ‘crane-like’ legs which increases the bird’s height. small wonder the species is often referred to as the

‘long-legged marching eagle’. From a distance or in flight it resembles a crane more than a bird of prey. the tail has two elongated central feathers that extend beyond the feet during flight, as well as long flat plumage creating a posterior crest. secretary Bird flight feathers and thighs are black, while most of the coverts are grey with some being white. Unlike most other birds, the sexes look similar to one and other as the species exhibits very little sexual dimorphism, although the male has longer head plumes and tail feathers. Adults have a featherless orange face as opposed to the yellow facial skin of the young.

when hurried, the secretary Bird prefers to run, but once airborne flies well. Quite often birds soar round on thermals, sometimes at great height, and they have been recorded by pilots between 2,000 and 3,800 metres above sea level. there is a case on record where a pilot was killed after his light aircraft collided with one of these birds.

secretary Birds associate in monogamous pairs. during courtship, they exhibit a nuptial display by soaring high with undulating flight patterns and calling with guttural frog-like croaking, which may be uttered with the head thrown back like an African Fish Eagle. Males and females can also perform a grounded courtship display by chasing each other with their wings up and back, much like the way they chase prey.

nesting may occur at any time of the year and the breeding cycle, from nest-building to fledging, takes about five months. some nests are used repeatedly, but more usually a new site is selected for each breeding attempt. nests are usually situated on flat-topped trees, especially thorn trees, and whatever their height they are difficult to reach from below. sticks and weed stems are gathered from the ground nearby to build the nest and the centre is thickly lined with dry grass and other materials such as wool and dung.

this striking and distinctive avian predator of Africa’s savannah and grasslands will continue to thrive and amaze all who come to observe them.

Below: An adult Secretary Bird with her young at the nest atop a thorn tree in the Serengeti, Tanzania

next page: The elongated feathers protruding from the back of its head are said to resemble a cluster of quill pens tucked behind the ear of a secretary in mediaeval England, and may have given the bird its name

the clutch of two or three oval, pale-green eggs are laid over the course of two to three days, although the third egg is most often unfertilised. these eggs are incubated primarily by the female for 45 days until they hatch, while being fed at intervals during the day by the male. dry grass is continually being added to the lining of the nest during this period. the incubating bird is completely exposed to the elements, and at times sits in searing heat, keeping cool by panting and raising her feathers. At other times she endures torrential rainstorms and even hail. Once the chicks hatch and start to feather, the female assists the male in collecting food for the brood.

Unlike many birds of prey there is no aggression between the siblings, and secretary Birds often rear two young, occasionally three. the nestling period is variable (10 to 14 weeks), but the chicks are fully developed, with long tails and their characteristic head quills, by the time they fledge, although these appendages are somewhat shorter than those of the adults. the young are also distinguishable from their parents by their duller plumage and their yellow, rather than orange, facial skin. the young remain with their parents for a few months and the family often sleep together on the same tree-top at night, but gradually the parental bond diminishes and they disperse and find their own patch of savannah or grassland on which to live.

the secretary Bird has traditionally been admired in Africa for its striking appearance and ability to deal with pests and snakes. As such it has been chosen as the national emblem of sudan as well as a prominent feature on the Coat of Arms of

thE sECREtARY BiRd

south Africa, representing vigilance and military might, as well as the rise and pride of modern south Africa. the secretary Bird has also been a common motif for African countries on postage stamps; over 65 stamps from about 30 countries are known to have included the bird on their stamps, such as Ajman, Bahrain, the Maldives and the United nations where the bird does not occur.

As a species, the secretary Bird is mainly threatened by loss of habitat and deforestation, and can live quite well on land used for large-scale commercial farming, but cannot survive where its habitat is invaded by numerous landholders. Because such invasion is extremely widespread, the bird’s numbers are decreasing throughout its range. nevertheless, the species is still widespread across Africa, and has adapted well to arable land where prey animals such as rodents are more common than in traditional habitat. But let there be no doubt, this striking and distinctive avian predator of Africa’s savannah and grasslands will continue to thrive and amaze all who come to observe them.

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it is now over 60 years since Chuck Yeager broke the illusive ‘sound barrier’, an accomplishment that spawned supersonic flight and took man to the stars and beyond. peter holthusen charts the development of space flight towards space tourism.

On the morning of 14 October 1947, United states (Us) Air Force Captain Charles ‘Chuck’ Yeager established aviation history by piloting the rocket-

powered Bell X-1 through the ‘sound barrier’. dropped from the bomb shackles on the belly of a B-29 bomber at an altitude of 42,000 feet, Yeager relied totally on his four rocket engines developing 6,000 pounds of thrust to launch the bright orange Bell X-1 glamorous glennis to a speed of 670 miles per hour (mph) across the indigo sky, high above the Mojave desert at the legendary Edwards Air Force Base, California.

the development of the rocket features in history as a series of devastating and often awe-inspiring events. the extent of the rocket’s potential, for both good and evil, has only become fully apparent within the last two decades, although man’s discovery of the nature of reactive flight spans two millennia. the rocket embodies its own peculiar technology which gives it the unique ability to propel itself in a vacuum, thereby being the only means of transportation yet devised by man capable of travelling beyond the Earth’s atmosphere.

giant rockets such as the saturn v, which launched man to the Moon and were thought to symbolise the shape of things

to come are now obsolete museum pieces and in all probability their like will not be seen again, at least not in the west. the current generation of space vehicles has until now, been dominated by the reusable space shuttle – a mix of rocket and glider whose operating costs per payload represent a fraction of their giant predecessors, but thanks to the pioneering dreams of a few entrepreneurs, the possibility of us all travelling into space has now become a reality.

during the 1960s and 1970s, it was commonly thought that ‘space hotels’ would be launched by 2000. Many futurists even speculated that by the beginning of the 21st century the average family would be able to enjoy a holiday on the Moon. the American airline pan Am even established a waiting list for future flights to the Moon, issuing free ‘First Moon Flight Club’ membership cards to those who requested them.

the Us ‘space shuttle’ programme has always included payload specialists which were usually filled by representatives of companies or scientific institutions managing a specific payload on that mission, but who had no formal national Aeronautics and space Administrations (nAsA) astronaut training. in 1983, Ulf Merbold, an engineer from European space Agency

TECHNOLOGY phOtOs © nAsA

Flying the Frontiers

Above: Satelite image of the Earth


(EsA) and Byron Lichtenberg from Massachusetts institute of technology (Mit), a former Us Air Force fighter pilot became the first payload specialists to fly on the shuttle, but it was Christa McAuliffe, the high school teacher from Concord, new hampshire who would have been the first true civilian in space, but she was tragically killed with six other astronauts in the 1986 Challenger disaster.

several years later, the tokyo Broadcasting system (tBs) offered to pay for one of its reporters to fly on a mission. For $28 million, toyohiro Akiyama was flown in 1990 to the Mir space station with the eighth crew and returned to earth 10 days later with the seventh crew, filing news reports in zero-gravity.

in 1991, British chemist helen sharman was selected from a pool of 13,000 applicants to be the first Briton in space. the programme was known as ‘project Juno’ and was a cooperative arrangement between the soviet Union and a group of British companies. the consortium had raised funds for sharman to fly to the Mir space station aboard the soyuz tM-12 launch vehicle and return on the soyuz tM-11. it wasn’t until 28 April 2001, that dennis tito, a 60-year-old Californian money

You could soon be joining an elite band of explorers who have slipped the bonds of gravity and reached for the stars.

manager and multi-millionaire, became the first fare-paying passenger on a space mission when he visited the international space station (iss) for seven days – single-handedly throwing open the doors to space tourism in the process.

Others soon followed in tito’s footsteps. in 2002 south African computer millionaire Mark shuttleworth was launched into orbit onboard the soyuz tM-34. After the Columbia ‘space shuttle’ disaster in 2003, space tourism on the Russian soyuz programme was temporarily suspended, because the soyuz vehicles became the only available transport to the iss. however, space tourism was resumed two years later. the third passenger was American scientist gregory Olsen in 2005, who used his time on the iss to conduct a number of experiments. high-speed forays into space financed by corporate America continued with iranian-American engineer and business woman, Anousheh Ansari in 2006. then Charles simonyi, the hungarian-American computer software executive who, as head of Microsoft’s application software group, was launched into orbit on the soyuz tMA-10 in 2007, and the tMA-14 in 2009, making him the first space tourist to fly twice. subsequent orbital flights to the international space station

Above: Space Shuttle Atlantis launch (inset),Virgin Galactic, the world’s first spaceline plans to provide sub-orbital spaceflights to the paying public


were made in 2008 by Richard garriott, an English-American video game developer and entrepreneur.

On 4 June 2009, space Adventures announced that guy Laliberté, a Quebec businessman and founder of the Cirque de soleil would be flying into space onboard soyuz tMA-16 to the iss, as Canada’s first space tourist. Along with professional astronauts Jeff williams and Maksim surayev, he reached the iss on 30 september 2009, returning to earth 12 days later aboard the soyuz tMA-14.

All seven of the space tourists flew to and from the iss on soyuz spacecraft through the space tourism company, space Adventures Ltd, in conjunction with the Federal space Agency of the Russian Federation and the s.p. Korolev Rocket & space Corporation (Energia).

Founded in virginia in 1998, they are the premier private space exploration company and, contrary to popular belief, the only organisation providing opportunities for private space flights and tourism, and remain the only company to have actually sent paying passengers into space today. the first three participants paid in excess of $20 million each for their 10-days visits to the iss. their space tourists usually sign contracts with third parties to conduct certain research while in orbit, thus helping to minimise their own expenses.

space Adventures Ltd have also announced that they are working on a series of circumlunar missions to the Moon, with the price per passenger being $100 million, and they are currently developing spaceports at Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates and in singapore.

Other companies have also expressed interest in constructing ‘space hotels’. For example, Excalibur Almaz, the private international space exploration company based in the isle of Man, plans to modernise and re-launch its soviet-era ‘Almaz’ space stations, which will feature the largest windows ever on a spacecraft. Even hilton international has plans to develop a space hotel with the space islands project, an innovative concept connecting together two used space shuttle fuel tanks, each the diameter of a Boeing 747 aircraft.

More affordable suborbital space tourism is viewed as a money-making enterprise by several other companies, including the celebrated private rocket engine and spaceflight development company Armadillo Aerospace based in Mesquite, texas, XCOR Aerospace, whose base is close to the birthplace of supersonic flight in the Mojave desert, California, and Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos’ UK-based spaceflight venture company starchaser ‘Blue Origin’. But it is sir Richard Branson and his virgin galactic team who are being taken most seriously, and for very good reason.

On 4 October 2004, the spaceshipOne, designed by Burt Rutan of scaled Composites, won the $10,000.000 Ansari X-prize, for the first private company to reach and surpass an altitude of 62 miles (100 kilometres) twice within two weeks. the first flight was flown by Michael Melvill

on 21 June 2004 to a height of 62 miles, making him the first commercial astronaut. the prize-winning flight was flown by Brian Binnie, which reached the height of 69.6 miles, breaking the altitude record set by the X-15 rocket plane of the 1950s and 1960s.

virgin galactic is planning to begin passenger service aboard the vss Enterprise, with the scaled Composites spaceshiptwo (ss2), which was unveiled to the world in a spectacular launch ceremony at the Mojave spaceport on 7 december 2009. the governor of California, Arnold schwarzenegger and the governor of new Mexico, Bill Richardson both contributed at the press conference, celebrating this huge milestone in aviation history. the ss2 will be attached to her white Knight two (wK2) mother ship which was unveiled last year and named EvE, after Branson’s mother. the ss2 will be carried to an altitude of 50,000 feet before the spaceship is dropped and fires her hybrid rocket motor to launch into space. the new vehicle is capable of carrying up to six passenger astronauts and up to two pilot astronauts into space.

Launches will initially occur at the Mojave spaceport in California in 2011, and will then be moved to spaceport America in Upham, new Mexico. the spacecraft will travel 360,000 feet (68 miles) high, and will last 21/2 hours, reaching speeds in excess of Mach 3. the initial price of a seat will be $200,000, but that price is expected to eventually fall to $20,000. to date, over 300 people have made down payments on bookings, so thanks to the pioneering spaceflights of those early astronauts and the team at virgin galactic, you could soon be joining an elite band of explorers who have slipped the bonds of gravity and reached for the stars.

FLYing thE FROntiERs

Above: Space shuttle fast moving into space


Facts on honeyand Cinnamon

it is said that a mixture of honey and cinnamon cures most diseases – an extravagant claim, perhaps, but it has some merit. honey is produced in most of the countries of the

world and can be used without any side effects.today’s science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken

in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients. the following is a list of diseases that it is said can be alleviated by honey and cinnamon:

hEARt disEAsEs: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. it reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from a heart attack. For those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they reduce the risk of another attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat.

ARthRitis: sufferers may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. if taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured, or its effects greatly reduced.

BLAddER inFECtiOns: take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. it destroys the germs in the bladder.

ChOLEstEROL: two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of cinnamon powder mixed in 16 ounces of hot water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 per cent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken three times a day, chronic cholesterol can be greatly reduced.

COLds: those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon of lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. this will cure most chronic coughs, colds and flu, and clear the sinuses.

UpsEt stOMACh: honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache.

wind: According to the studies done in india and Japan, if honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

iMMUnE sYstEM: daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks.

phOtOs © wiKiMEdiA

Above: Mixing honey and cinnamon

HEALTH

reports selamta


CAnCER: Research in Japan and Australia has claimed that advanced cancers of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three times a day.

FAtigUE: studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is helpful to the strength of the body. senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible. A half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily in the afternoon when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.

BAd BREAth: people of south America gargle one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, first thing in the morning, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

indigEstiOn: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey, taken before food, relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

LOngEvitY: tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. take four spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon powder. Add three cups of water and boil to make like tea. drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. it keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age.

piMpLEs: Make a paste from three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. if done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.

sKin inFECtiOns: Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and many types of skin infections.

wEight LOss: daily in the morning, one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. if taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

Above: Cinnamon barks ready to be crushed into powder

Right: Honey ready for the mixing


defar Leads Ethiopian indoor domination in doha

track great Meseret defar created history by winning a fourth successive 3,000m title at the 12th iAAF(international Association of Athletics Federation) world indoor Championships in doha, Qatar in March. But, as Elshadai negash reports, the biennial event unearthed two more middle distance gems for Ethiopia – deresse Mekonnen and youngster Kalkidan gezhagne.

phOtOs © viCtAh sAiLERSPORTS


When it comes to indoor distance running, there is no better exponent of the craft than Ethiopian Meseret defar. Before the turn of the year, the 26-

year old from Addis Ababa had won each of the last three world indoor 3,000m titles so convincingly that her major opponents over the event had given up hope of ever catching her.

not only was defar’s performance in major championships impressive, her depth and consistency in timing over the 3,000m and 5,000m was equally noteworthy. she holds world records over both events and the two miles and has recorded six of the top eight fastest times in the 3,000m. Undefeated indoors since 2003, defar also holds one of the longest winning streaks in indoor athletics with 27 consecutive wins.

And so it came as no surprise that defar was the firm favourite for victory in this year’s world indoor championships in doha, Qatar. however, the 2004 Olympic 5,000m champion had started the year on the back of a below-par performance at the 12th iAAF world Championships in Berlin in August 2009, where she finished fifth and third over the 10,000m and 5,000m

respectively – noticeably below her world-beating standards. there may have been extra pressure for defar to return to

winning ways and she prepped for doha with two outstanding performances in stuttgart and stockholm. in the first race she ran the fourth fastest time ever for the 3,000m as she took victory ahead of compatriot sentayehu Ejigu. she was even more dominant in her second race in stockholm where she came 0.16s off her own world indoor 5,000m in the swedish capital.

But it was in doha where it all came together. Competing against Kenya’s vivian Cheruiyot, her conqueror in an epic race in Berlin eight months earlier, and turkey’s European champion Alemitu Bekele, the experienced performer was in control of the contest throughout before storming away for a deserved victory in 8:51.17.

At the finish line she emotionally celebrated her hard-earned victory and created a piece of history. hers was a fourth consecutive victory in the world indoor championships and broke the tie for three victories with Romanian gabriela szabo.

Undefeated indoors since 2003, defar also holds one of the longest winning streaks in indoor athletics with 27 consecutive wins.

Above: Defar – left – and Ejigu pose for pictures after winning gold and bronze in the women’s 3,000m final (inset) Kalkidan Gezhagne wins women’s 1,�00m

Opposite: An ecstactic Defar crosses herself at the finish of the women’s 3,000m final


defar’s win came on the second day of a remarkable championship for Ethiopia as their athletes showed just why they are highly coveted in indoor running. But the source of inspiration did not just come from the athletes. it came from a large Ethiopian contingent of fans in the stands who cheered their compatriots’ every move from start to finish in the three days of action.

the legion of fans was in full voice on the final day as defending champion gelete Burka and youngster Kalkidan gezhagne lined up in the women’s 1,500m final. Many of them were expected to cheer an inevitable victory for Burka, who had dominated her third indoor season over the 1,500m with victories in Karlsruhe, germany and Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Burka did dictate the tempo of a tactical contest, forging ahead early on and electing to stay in front while the following pack jostled for positions.

in the penultimate lap, however, things started to go wrong for her. First she was overtaken by spaniard nathalia Rodriguez, legally this time as opposed to her much-publicised push on Burka at the world Championships in Berlin that floored the Ethiopian. As the Ethiopian crowd gasped collectively anticipating disaster, gezhagne came to the rescue with a brave sprint to the line that overtook the front two and saw her grab victory in 4:08.46. Burka helped the Ethiopian medal count with a bronze after failing to catch Rodriguez in the final sprint.

A native of Addis Ababa, gezhagne was even lucky to be in the final. in the heats the 18-year-old had been floored in the opening stages, but gallantly fought her way back to take victory in the preliminaries. in crossing the finish line to take a deserved victory in the final, she joined the list of celebrated Ethiopian middle distance runners who have risen from obscurity to a world title.

gezhagne, who has made unbelievable progress since winning world junior 1,500m silver in 2008, had prepped for doha with two world junior records over the 1500m and the mile distances in stockholm and Birmingham respectively. But few had expected her to overcome the challenge from Burka, especially after her more-illustrious compatriot had comprehensively beaten her in Birmingham.

if that was not enough to send the Ethiopian crowd at the Aspire dome in doha into ecstatic celebrations, then deresse Mekonnen’s successful defence of his men’s 1,500m was the gin in their tonic.

the 24-year-old had surprised many last year in Berlin when running the perfect race to take silver in the men’s 1,500m final. he also prepped for doha by running two world leading times in dusseldorf, germany and Birmingham. in the second race, he even beat 2007 world 1,500m and 3,000m double champion Bernard Lagat to take a 100 per cent record to the race.

however, none of his rivals, including Kenya’s African champion haroun Keitany, were prepared to let him walk away with a successful title defence. But Mekonnen held out remarkably to take another deserved victory in 3:41.86 and complete the defence of the title he won two years earlier in valencia, spain.

the championships for Ethiopia ended with an impressive haul of five medals (three gold and two silver) with tariku Bekele (men’s 3,000m) and Mekonnen gebremedhin (men’s 1,500m) finishing fourth in their events for a successful campaign that saw the East African nation finish second in the final medal standings behind the United states.

dEFAR LEAds EthiOpiAn indOOR dOMinAtiOn in dOhA

Elshadai negash is an international sports correspondent based in Lausanne, switzerland. in addition to selamta, he writes for the website and magazine of the international Association of Athletics Federations (iAAF), universalsports.com, the African Report, and many other international publications. please send comments to [email protected].

Below: Deresse Mekonnen during the men’s 1,�00m final in Doha


Red Sea

Gulf of AdenTana

Shire Axum

Makale

Lalibela

Akaki

Dire Dawa

Jijiga

Kabri Dar

ShilavoGode

Gondar

Bahar Dar

Asosa

Gambella Gore

Dembidollo

Mizan Teferi

Jimma

Arba Minch

Jinka

DenakilDepression

SimienMountains

Amhara Plateau

ChokeMountains

ADDIS ABABA

MendeboMountains

Ogaden Region

Ahmar Mountains

Shala

Abaya

Shamo

Abiata Langano

Zwai

Koka

Ras Dashan(4,620m)

DOMESTIC ROUTE MAPDestinations

ADDIS ABABAMain City Ticket OfficeChurchill RoadPO Box 1755Tel: 251-11-5517000Fax: 251-11-5513047/5513593

ARBA MINCHTel: 251-46-8810649 (CTO)

ASSOSATel: 251-057-7750574/75( CTO) 251-091-1255674 (CELL)

AXUMTel: 251-34-7752300 (CTO) 251-34-7753544 (APT) 251-91-1255682 (CELL)Email: [email protected]

BAHAR DARTel: 251-58-2200020 (CTO) 251-58-2260036 (APT) 251-91-1255675 (CELL)Email: [email protected]

DIRE DAWAPO Box 176Tel: 251-25-1111147 (CTO) 251-25-1114425 (APT) 251-91-5320405 (Cell)Email: [email protected]

GAMBELLATel: 251-47-5510099 (CTO) 251-91-1255677 (CELL)

GODETel: 251-25-7760015 (CTO) 251-25-7760030 (APT)

GONDARPO Box 120Tel: 251-58-1117688 (CTO) 251-58-1140735 (APT) 251-91-1255676 (CELL)Email: [email protected]

JIJIGATel: 251-25-7752030 (CTO) 251-25-7754300 (APT)

JIMMATel: 251-47-1110030 (CTO) 251-47-1110207 (APT) 251-91-1255678 (CELL)Email: [email protected]

LALIBELLATel: 251-33-3360046 (CTO) 251-91-1255679 (CELL)Email: [email protected]

MEKELLEPO Box 230Tel: 251-400055 (CTO) 251-34-4420437 (APT) 251-91-1255680 (CELL)Email: [email protected]

SHIRETel: 251-34-4442224 (CTO) 251-91-1255681 (CELL)

CTO – City Ticket OfficeAPT – Airport OfficeCGO – Cargo OfficeCELL - Cellphone

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South AtlanticOcean

North AtlanticOcean

Indian Ocean

INTERNATIONAL ROUTE MAPEthiopian Destinations

Destinations with Special Agreements

Juba

120011001000 22001300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000 21000300 0400 0500 0600 0700 0800 0900

Yaoundé

Vancouver

San Francisco Colorado Springs

DenverOmaha

KansasCity

KlahomaCity

Minneapolis

Chicago

St. Louis

IndianapolisDayton

TorontoDetriot

Ottawa

Cleveland

RochesterSyrac.

Columb.CincinnatiBashville

Memphis

AtlantaNewOrleans Orlando

Fort Lauderdale

HavanaMiami

Tampa

Jacksonville

Little Rock

Montréal

Quebec

Portland

Washington D.C.Norfolk

Columbia

Boston

Las Vegas

San Antonio

Dallas

Houston

AlbuquerquePhoenixTucsonSan

Diego

OntarioSan José

Los AngelesSanta Ana

Seattle

Portland

Salt Lake City

Douala

AbujaOuagadougou

Lubumbashi

Bangui

N‘Djamena

Brazzaville

Kinshasa

Luanda

Pointe Noire

Lagos

NiameyKano

New YorkPhiladelphia

Bamako

Monrovia

Conakry

Dakar

LoméAccra

Abidjan

Libreville

Malabo

Bujumbura

Kigali

Entebbe

Nairobi

KilimanjaroMombasa

Zanzibar

Dar es SalaamDodoma

Lusaka

Windhoek

Gaborone PretoriaMaputo

MbabaneJohannesburg

Maseru Durban

Cape Town

Lilongwe

Harare

DireDawa

Asmara

Jeddah

Cairo

Tel Aviv

Palermo

Rome

Geneva

Paris

FrankfurtBrussels

Amsterdam

Oslo Helsinki

Stockholm

London

Milan

Beirut

AlexandriaKuwait

DubaiBahrain

Riyadh Muscat

Mumbai(Bombay)

Kolkata(Calcutta)

Yangon(Rangoon)

Bangkok

Vientiane

Hong Kong

Beijing(Perking)

Manila

Jakarta

Haiphong

Guangzhou(Canton)

New Delhi

Djibouti

Khartoum

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sel routemap July2010.pdf 5/24/10 9:24:58 AM

Abidjan (Côte d’ivoire)Abu dhabi (UAE)Abuja (nigeria)Accra (ghana)Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)Bamako (Mali)Bangkok (thailand)Beijing (China)Beirut (Lebanon)Brazzaville (Congo)Brussels (Belgium)Bujumbura (Burundi)Cairo (Egypt)dar es salaam (tanzania)dakar (senegal)delhi (india)dire dawa (Ethiopia)djibouti (Rep. of djibouti)douala (Cameroun)dubai (UAE)Entebbe (Uganda)Frankfurt (germany)guangzhou (China)harare (Zimbabwe)hong Kong (China)Jeddah (saudi Arabia)Johannesburg (s. Africa)Juba (sudan)Khartoum (sudan)

Kigali (Rwanda)Kilimanjaro (tanzania)Kinshasa (d. R. of Congo)Kuwait City(Kuwait)Lagos (nigeria)Libreville (gabon)Lilongwe (Malawi)Lomé (togo)London (United Kingdom)Luanda (Angola)Lubumbashi (Congo)Lusaka (Zambia)Manama (Bahrain)Malabo (Equitorial guinea)Mombasa (Kenya)Monrovia (Liberia)Mumbai (india)nairobi (Kenya)n’djamena (Chad)Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)pointe noire (Congo)paris (France)Riyadh (saudi Arabia)Rome (italy)san’á (Yemen)stockholm (sweden)tel Aviv (israel)washington d.C. (UsA)Zanzibar (tanzania)

Cape town (south Africa)dorval, Montréal (Canada)gaborone (Botswana)helsinki (Finland)Jarkata (indonesia)Kolkata (india)Manila (philippines)Oslo (norway)Ottawa, Ontario (Canada)palermo (italy)stockholm (sweden)toronto (Canada)vancouver (Canada)windhoek (namibia)United states of America:Albuquerque, new MexicoAtlanta, georgiaBoston, MassachusettsChicago, illinoisCincinnati, OhioCleveland, OhioColorado springs, ColoradoColumbia, s. CarolinaColumbus, Ohiodallas, texasdayton, Ohiodenver, Coloradodetroit, MichiganFort Lauderdale, Floridahouston, texasindianapolis, indianaJacksonville, FloridaKansas City, Kansas

Las vegas, nevadaLittle Rock, ArkansasLos Angeles, CaliforniaMemphis, tennesseeMiami, FloridaMinneapolis, Minnesotanashville, tennesseenew Orleans, Louisiananew YorkOklahoma City, OklahomaOmaha, nebraskaOntario, CaliforniaOrlando, Floridaphiladelphia, pa.phoenix, Arizonaportland, Oregonportland, MaineRochester, new Yorksaint Louis, Missourisalt Lake City, Utahsan Antonio, texassan diego, Californiasan Francisco, Californiasan Jose, Californiasanta Ana, Californiaseattle, washingtonsyracuse, new Yorktampa, Floridatucson, Arizona

DESTINATIONS WITH SPECIAL AGREEMENTS

ETHIOPIAN DESTINATIONS

intERnAtiOnAL ROUtE MAp

JULY - sEptEMBER 2010 7�

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South PacificOcean

South AtlanticOcean

North AtlanticOcean

Indian Ocean

INTERNATIONAL ROUTE MAPEthiopian Destinations

Destinations with Special Agreements

Juba

120011001000 22001300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 2000 21000300 0400 0500 0600 0700 0800 0900

Yaoundé

Vancouver

San Francisco Colorado Springs

DenverOmaha

KansasCity

KlahomaCity

Minneapolis

Chicago

St. Louis

IndianapolisDayton

TorontoDetriot

Ottawa

Cleveland

RochesterSyrac.

Columb.CincinnatiBashville

Memphis

AtlantaNewOrleans Orlando

Fort Lauderdale

HavanaMiami

Tampa

Jacksonville

Little Rock

Montréal

Quebec

Portland

Washington D.C.Norfolk

Columbia

Boston

Las Vegas

San Antonio

Dallas

Houston

AlbuquerquePhoenixTucsonSan

Diego

OntarioSan José

Los AngelesSanta Ana

Seattle

Portland

Salt Lake City

Douala

AbujaOuagadougou

Lubumbashi

Bangui

N‘Djamena

Brazzaville

Kinshasa

Luanda

Pointe Noire

Lagos

NiameyKano

New YorkPhiladelphia

Bamako

Monrovia

Conakry

Dakar

LoméAccra

Abidjan

Libreville

Malabo

Bujumbura

Kigali

Entebbe

Nairobi

KilimanjaroMombasa

Zanzibar

Dar es SalaamDodoma

Lusaka

Windhoek

Gaborone PretoriaMaputo

MbabaneJohannesburg

Maseru Durban

Cape Town

Lilongwe

Harare

DireDawa

Asmara

Jeddah

Cairo

Tel Aviv

Palermo

Rome

Geneva

Paris

FrankfurtBrussels

Amsterdam

Oslo Helsinki

Stockholm

London

Milan

Beirut

AlexandriaKuwait

DubaiBahrain

Riyadh Muscat

Mumbai(Bombay)

Kolkata(Calcutta)

Yangon(Rangoon)

Bangkok

Vientiane

Hong Kong

Beijing(Perking)

Manila

Jakarta

Haiphong

Guangzhou(Canton)

New Delhi

Djibouti

Khartoum

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sel routemap July2010.pdf 5/24/10 9:24:58 AM


Boeing 767-300 ERSeat Capacity: (ET-ALL) Cloud Nine, 24;

Economy Class, 213. Total: 237.

Max. Gross Weight: Take Off, 186,879 kgs;

Landing, 145,149 kgs; Zero Fuel, 133,809 kgs.

Operating Empty Weight: 91,367 kgs

Total Cargo Volume: 5,200 Cu.ft.

Engines: PW4062.

Sea Level Thrust — LB: 62,000.

Seat Capacity: (ET-ALC) Cloud Nine, 24;




Operating Empty Weight: 90,416 kgs.


Engines: PW4062.

Sea Level Thrust — LB: 62,000

Seat Capacity: (ET-ALH) Cloud Nine, 24;






Engines: PW4062.


Seat Capacity: (ET-ALJ)

Cloud Nine, 24; Economy Class, 211. Total: 235.





Engines: PW4062.


Seat Capacity: (ET-AMQ) Cloud Nine, 30;






Engines: PW4060-3.


Ethiopian Airlines Current Commercial FleetLong Range Passenger Services11 Boeing 767-300 ER: ET-ALC, ET-ALH, ET-ALL, ET-ALJ, ET-ALO, ET-ALP, ET-AME, ET-AMF, ET-AMG, ET-AMQ, ET ANU

Medium Range Passenger Services8 Boeing 757-200 ER: ET-AKC, ET-AKE, ET-AKF, ET-ALY, ET-ALZ, ET-AMK ET-AMT, ET-AMU

2 Boeing 737-800 ET-ANA, ET-AMZ

5 Boeing 737-700: ET-ALK, ET-ALQ, ET-ALM, ET-ALU, ET-ALN

5 Bombadier DHC-8 Q400 ET-ANI, ET-ANJ, ET-ANK, ET-ANL, ET-ANVDomestic Passenger Services5 Fokker 50 ET-AKR, ET-AKS, ET-AKT, ET-AKU, ET-AKV

Cargo and Non-Scheduled Services1 Boeing 757-260 Freighter: ET-AJS1 Boeing 757-200 PCF: ET-AJX1 Boeing 747-400F2 MD-11 CF

Boeing 787-8 DreamlinerA super-efficient airplane with new passenger-pleasing features. It will bring the economics of large jet transports to the middle of the market, using 20 percent less fuel than any other airplane of its size.Seating: 210 to 250 passengers Range: 8,000 to 8,500 nautical miles (14,800 to 15,700 kilometres) Configuration: Twin aisle Cross Section: 226 inches (574 centimetres) Wing Span: 197 feet (60 metres) Length: 186 feet (57 metres) Height: 56 feet (17 metres) Flight deck size: Similar to that of a 777Cruise Speed: Mach 0.85 Cargo Capacity After Passenger Bags: 5 pallets + 5 LD3s Maximum Take Off Weight: 476,000 lbs Program milestones: Authority to offer Late 2003 Assembly starts 2006, First flight 2007 Certification/Entry into service 2010

Seat Capacity: (ET-ALO)

Cloud Nine, 24; Economy Class, 211. Total: 235.





Engines: PW4062.


Seat Capacity: (ET-ALP) Cloud Nine, 24;






Engines: PW4062.


Seat Capacity: (ET-AME) Cloud Nine, 30;



Landing, 137,892 kgs; Zero Fuel Weight, 130,634 kgs.



Engines: CF6-80C2B6F.


Seat Capacity: (ET-AMF, ET-AMG, ET-ANU)

Cloud Nine: 24, Economy Class: 213, Total: 237.


Landing, 145,149 kgs; Zero Fuel Weight, 133,809 kgs.



Engines: PW4060-3


EthiOpiAn FLEEt

COMING SOON


Fokker 50Seat Capacity: (ET-AKR, ET-AKS, ET-AKT,

ET-AKU, ET-AKV) Economy Class, 52. Total: 52.




Total Cargo Volume: (7.01m3).

Engines: P/W 127B — Turbo prop. engine.

Sea Level Thrust: — SHP: 2,750.

MD-11CFCargo Capacity :(ET-AML,ET-AND)

Upper deck: 26 Pallets (96”x125”)

Lower FWD Bay: 6 Pallets (96”x125”)

Lower AFT Bay: 14 LD3 Containers

Max Take Off. WT.630, 500 Lb

Max Landing: 491,500lb

Zero fuel wt. 461,500 lb

Engine: GE CF6--80C201F

Pallet: 26 pallets – Upper

Volume – 86 ton

Cargo Capacity: (ET-AJS & ET-AJX) 15

(88” x 125“) pallets.

Max. Gross Weight: (ET-AJS) Take Off, 115,892 kgs;


(ET-AJX) Take Off, 109,316 kgs;


Operating Weight: (ET-AJS) 53,010 kgs.

(ET-AJX) 54,176 kgs.

Cargo Volume Main: 6,600 Cu.ft.

Lower: (ET-AJS) 1,829 Cu.ft.

(ET-AJX) 1,762 Cu.ft.

Engines: PW2040.

Sea Level Thrust: 40,000 lbs.

Boeing 737-700Seat Capacity: (ET-ALK, ET-ALQ, ET-ALU,

ET-ALM & ET-ALN) Cloud Nine, 16;

Economy Class 102. Total: 118.




Total Cargo Volume: 966 Cu.ft.

Engines: CFM 56-7B26.


Boeing 737-800Seat Capacity: (ET-ANA, ET-AMZ), Cloud Nine: 16;


Max Gross Weight: Take Off,79,010kgs

Landing: 66,330kgs; Zero Fuel, 62,730kgs

Operating Empty Weight: 43,545kgs

Total Cargo Volume: 1,555 Cu.ft

Engines: CFM56-7327

Sea Level Thrust – LB: 27,300

Seat Capacity: (ET-AMT) Cloud Nine, 16;






Engines: RB211-535E4-37.


Seat Capacity: (ET-AMU) Cloud Nine, 16;






Engines: RB211-535E4-37.


Boeing 757-200 ERSeat Capacity: (ET-AKF, ET-AKE, ET-AKC) Cloud Nine,

16; Economy Class, 144. Total: 160.

Max. Gross Weight: Take Off, 108,862 kgs; Landing,

89,811 kgs; Zero Fuel, 83,460 kgs. Operating Empty

Weight: 61,179 kgs.


Engines: PW2040.


Seat Capacity: (ET-ALY) Cloud Nine, 16;


Max. Gross Weight: Take Off, 115,666 kgs; Landing,

89,812 kgs; Zero Fuel, 83,485 kgs. Operating Empty

Weight: 60,942 kgs.


Engines: PW2040.


Seat Capacity: (ET-ALZ) Cloud Nine, 16;


Max. Gross Weight: Take Off, 115,699 kgs,




Engines: PW2040.


Seat Capacity: (ET-AMK) Cloud Nine, 16;


Max. Gross Weight: Take Off, 115,852 kgs.




Engines: RB211-535E4.


Bombadier DHC-8 Q400 DataSeat Capacity: 78 Seats (DHC-8 Q400)

Max. Gross Weight: Take Off, 29,574 kgs.


Operating Empty Weight:17.684 kgs.

Total Cargo Volume: 14.3 Cu.ft.

Engines: 2 pratt & Whiteney Canada

PW150A turboprops

Sea Level Thrust — 5,071 shp

8� sELAMtA

These gentle exercises, which you can carry out easily during your flight, will help blood circulation and reduce any tiredness or stiffness that may result from sitting in one place for several hours. Check with your doctor first if you have any health conditions which might be adversely affected by exercise.

Ankle circles: Lift feet off the floor, draw a circle with the toes, simultaneously moving one foot clockwise and the other foot counterclockwise. Reverse circles. Do each direction for 15 seconds. Repeat if desired.

Foot pumps: Start with both heels on the floor and point feet upward as high as you can. Then put both feet flat on the floor. Then lift heels high, keeping the balls of your feet on the floor. Continue cycle in 30 seconds intervals.

Knee lifts: Lift leg with knees bent while contracting your thigh muscles. Alternate legs. Repeat 20 to 30 times for each leg.

Shoulder roll: Hunch shoulders forward, then upward, then backward, then downward, using a gentle, circular motion.

Arm curl: Start with arms held at a 90-degree angle: elbows down, hands out in front. Raise hands up to chest and back down, alternating hands. Do this exercise in 30-second intervals.

Knee to chest: Bend forward slightly. Clasp hands around the left knee and hug it to your chest. Hold stretch for 15 seconds. Keeping hands around knee, slowly let it down. Alternate legs. Repeat 10 times.

Forward flex: With both feet on the floor and stomach held in, slowly bend forward and walk your hands down the front of your legs towards your ankles. Hold the stretch for 15 seconds and slowly sit back up.

Overhead stretch: Raise both hands straight up over your head. With one hand, grasp the wrist of the opposite hand and gently pull to one side. Hold stretch for 15 seconds. Repeat on the other side.

Shoulder stretch: Reach right hand over left shoulder. Place left hand behind right elbow and gently press elbow toward shoulder. Hold stretch for 15 seconds. Repeat on the other side.

Neck roll: With shoulders relaxed, drop ear to shoulder and gently roll neck forward and to the other side, holding each position for about five seconds. Repeat five times.

• For your own comfort try and travel light.

• Wear loose clothing and elasticated stockings made of natural fibre.

• Increase your normal intake of water and only if need be, drink alcohol but in moderation.

• Use moisturising cream to keep your skin from drying out.

• Take off shoes in the plane to prevent your feet from swelling up or wear shoes that will cope with expanding ankles.

• Avoid heavy meals during the flight.

• Short walks once every two hours are excellent for circulation.

• Try to touch your toes when waiting in the aisle to stretch your hamstrings.

• On arrival at your destination, have a hot shower or a relaxing bath.

• On arrival a quick jog, brisk walk, or a vigorous scrub will help stimulate your circulation.

SeATeD exeRCISeS

Other tips for a Comfortable Flight

HeALTHY TRAVeLLING


Land Ethiopia covers an area of 1.14 million square kilometres (944,000 square miles).

Climatethere are two seasons: the dry season prevails from October through May; the wet season runs from June to september.

topographyEthiopia has an elevated central plateau varying in height between 2,000 and 3,000 metres. in the north and centre of the country there are some 25 mountains whose peaks rise over 4,000 metres. the most famous Ethiopian river is the Blue nile (or Abbay), which runs a distance of 1,450 kilometres from the source in Lake tana, to join the white nile at Khartoum.

EconomyAbout 90 per cent of the population earn their living from the land, mainly as subsistence farmers. Agriculture is the backbone of the national economy and the principal exports from this sector are coffee, oil seeds, pulses, flowers, vegetables, sugar and foodstuffs for animals. there is also a thriving livestock sector, exporting cattle on the hoof, hides and skins.

LanguageEthiopia is a multi-ethnic state with a great variety of languages spoken in the country, of which there are 83 with 200 dialects. Amharic is the working language of the Federal democratic Republic of Ethiopia while Oromigna, tigrigna and guragina are widely spoken.

Electric supplyEthiopia uses 220 volts 50 cycles AC.

timeEthiopia is in the gMt +3 time zone. it follows the Julian calendar, which consists of twelve months of 30 days each, and a thirteenth month of five or six days (on a leap year).

peoplethe population is estimated at 78 million.

ExcursionsExcursions within Ethiopia, whether for a day or for a month, may be organised for you by any of the travel agencies or by the national tour Operation.

hotelsAddis Ababa has hotels that cater for all pockets, from the luxurious sheraton, hilton and ghion hotels to the four and three star tourist-class hotels. All tourist resorts offer a choice of modern hotels.

Banking hours Banking hours are usually from 8:00am – 5:00pm from Monday to Friday and from 8:00am – 4:00pm on saturdays. Closing times may be an hour longer in some private banks. Most banks work through lunchtime; however foreign exchange services are closed during lunch hours (12:00 noon – 1:00 pm).

Communicationstelephone, fax and internet access is available in Addis Ababa in most hotels, at the Ethiopian telecommunications Authority’s main office and at private internet service centres found around the city.

Courier and Money transfer servicesMoney transfers can be made through western Union and Money gram. Both have representative branches in Addis Ababa and also make their services available from private and national banks. For courier services, dhL, Fedex, Ups, tnt and EMs have offices in Addis Ababa.

Currencythe currency of Ethiopia is based on the decimal system. the units of currency are the Birr and cents. the Birr is divided into 100 cents. declare foreign currency on arrival. in addition to any Ethiopian Birr, along with the currency exchange form you must bring all receipts of exchange transactions.

Residence permitthe Main department for immigration and nationality Affairs issues a residence permit to a foreign investor, upon submission of an investment permit issued in his/her name. A foreign investor, who is a share holder of a company or branch company and an expatriate staff who has a work permit, is also entitled to a residence permit.

working hoursthe government offices have 39 working hours a week. the office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30pm. from Monday through thursday. working hours on Friday are 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. private and public businesses are often open on saturdays.

public holidayspublic holidays are celebrated according to the Ethiopian (Julian) Calendar which consists of twelve months of thirty days each and a thirteenth month of five days (six days in a leap year). the calendar is seven years behind the western or gregorian Calendar, with new Year falling in the month of september.

september 11 – Ethiopian new Yearseptember 27 – the finding of the true Cross (Meskal)september 20 – id ul Fitr (Ramadhan)november 27 – id ul Ahda (sacrifice)January 7 – Ethiopian ChristmasJanuary 19 – Ethiopian EpiphanyMarch 2 – victory of AdwaMarch 9 – Birth of prophet Mohammed (Mauwlid)April 25 – Ethiopian good FridayApril 27 – Ethiopian EasterMay 1 – international Labour dayMay 5 – Ethiopian patriots’ victory dayMay 28 – downfall of the dergue Regime

*the holidays of id ul Fitr and id ul Ahda and the birthday of prophet M0hammed (s.A.w.) are subject to moon sighting.Customs duty-free imports are permitted for up to:a) 200 cigarettes , 100 cigars, or 250 grams of tobaccob) 2 litres of alcoholic beveragesc) half a litre of perfume.visitors may export souvenirs with a value not exceeding Birr 500.

health Requirementsprior to entry, visitors should be in possession of a valid health certificate for yellow fever. vaccination against cholera is also required for any person who has visited or transited a cholera-infected area within six days prior to arrival in Ethiopia.

visa and immigration Requirementsvisas are required for all foreign visitors to Ethiopia, with the exception of nationals of Kenya and sudan. visa applications may be obtained at Ethiopia’s diplomatic missions overseas and visas are readily available. however, nationals of 33 countries are now allowed to receive their tourist visas on arrival in Ethiopia at the regular charge. the list includes Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, denmark, Finland, France, germany, greece, india, ireland, israel, italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Mexico, north Korea, the netherlands, new Zealand, norway, poland, portugal, Russian Federation, slovakia, south Africa, thailand, spain, sweden, switzerland, United Kingdom and United states.

Bole international Airportthe new Bole international Airport is situated 8 kilometre from the centre of the city (a 15 minute drive under normal conditions). paid parking, luggage carts and uniformed porters are available at the airport terminal.taxis are readily available. the national tour Operator (ntO) taxi can be ordered at their airport desk. privately-owned blue cabs and yellow cabs are also in abundance, but do not have fixed rates; establishing their fare is advisable before getting into the vehicle.

securitysecurity at the airport is tight and travellers need to produce their air ticket and passport to enter the terminal building. All other visitors are required to pay a fee of two Ethiopian Birr at the booths located in the parking lot and need to show identification cards at the guard post.

tips FOR thE tRAvELLER in EthiOpiA

84 sELAMtA

ABU DHABI

Salem Travel Agency

Tel: 9712 6233333/6218000

Fax: 9712 6268337

Email: [email protected]

ALGERIA

Air Algeria

Tel: 213 643731, SITA-ALGRRAH

ANGOLA

Luanda, Angola

Tel/Fax:244-222-335-713


ARGENTINA

Aviareps

Tel: 54 1148933003, Fax: 54 114893005

AUSTRALIA

World Aviation System (WAS)

Tel: 612-9244-2111, Fax: 612-9290-3644


World Aviation System (P)

Tel: 1300 600 001, Fax: (61) 2 - 9290 3306


www.worldaviation.com.au

AUSTRIA

AVIAREPS Austria, Argentinierstrasse

2/4 1040 Vienna / Austria

Tel: +43-1-585 36 30-19

Fax: +43-1-585 36 30-88,


ATC Aviation Cargo Agent

ACC, Bldg. 262, Entr. 08,3rd Fl.,

AT-1300 Vienna

Tel: +43 1 7007 388 54

Fax: +43 1 7007 388 53


BAHRAIN

Chamber of Commerce Bld

Tel: (973) 17223315/210175

Fax: (973) 17210175


SITA-BAHTOET

BANGLADESH

MAAS Travels & Tours Ltd.

Tel: 8802 9559852/9568388/9565380

Fax: 8802-956 5378


[email protected]

SITA-DACRRET

Globe Travel

Tel: 253 354848

BELGIUM & LUXEMBOURG

Park Hill, Mommaertslaan 20A

Tel: 32 (0) 22750175 / 32 (0) 24034476

Fax: 32(0) 24034479

Aviareps

Tel: 31205200281

Fax: 31206230151

Air Support (cargo only)

Tel: 32(0) 2 7528680

Fax: 32(0) 2 7528686


BENIN

Vitesse Voyage (Speed Travel)

Tel: (229) 310718

Mobile: 229 9713-7791

BRAZIL

Aviareps

Tel: 5511-3123-1800

Fax: 5511-3259-8440

BURKINAFASO

EUROWORLD SARL

Fax: 226 50 30 18 86

Tel: 226 50 30 16 52/16 85


CANADA

CARGO GSA Airlines Service

International (ASI)

Tel: 905629 4522


Fax: 905 629 4651

Address 5160 Explorer Drive Unit 4

Suite F Mississauga, Ontario L4W 4T7

CHILE

Aviareps

Tel: 562-2362748/2362749

Fax: 562-2362750

CHINA

DEKS (HK) Ltd (cargo only)

Tel: (852) 2861-1811

Fax: (852) 2865-6793

HONG KONG WOOREE AGENCY CORP

Tel: 82-2319-0059/2777-9850

Fax: 82-2774-7765


[email protected]

Megacap logistics international ltd

Unit 11g,shanghai zhaofeng

Universal building 1800 zhongshan

Road west shanghai, 200235,china

Tel: +86 21 6440 3482/86 21 6440 3485

Fax: +86 21 6440 0907


[email protected]

SITA:PVGMCXH

COLOMBIA

Aviareps

Tel: 571-317 2805/257 1818

Fax: 571-317 2890

CONGO

Brazaville Euro World SARL

Tel: 00242-6712020/6713037

Cel: 971505589504, Fax: 31 020 655 3686


Almadar Tour & Traveles

Fax: (243)180 1751933

Tel: (243) 81 8113377


CZECH & SLOVAK REPUBLICS

TAL Aviation Czech & Slovak Republics,

Mala Stupartska 7, Praha 1, Czech Republic,

Tel: 420 224 815 375, Fax: 420 224 815 379


DENMARK

Khyber International (Passenger only)

Tel: 45 33934455, Fax: 45 33933799


SITA: CPHZZET

Kales Airline Services (Cargo only)

DK - 7190 Billund Denmark

Tel: +45 75354511 Fax: +45 75354569

DUBAI

Asian Air Travel & Tour Agency

Tel: 9714 2868008, Fax: 9714-2832115

FINLAND & ESTONIA

Matkantekijat oy (Tour Planners Ltd.

Tel: 358 9687 78940, Fax: 368 9687 78910


Kales Airline Services Oy (Cargo only)

Perintötie 2D, 01510 Vantaa, Finland

Phone: +358 9 8700 350

Fax: +358 9 8700 3515

GERMANY

Ethiopian Airlines – AVIAREPS AG Hessenring

32 64546 Moerfelden-Walldorf Germany

Tel: 49 (0) 6105 206 053

Fax: 49 (0) 6105 206 235

[email protected];

[email protected];

Tel: 49-(0 )69690 51921; 49-(01764 0251 387;

Fax: 49-(0)69691945;


ATC Aviation, Cargo City Süd,

Geb.641, 60549 Frankfurt/Germany

Tel: 49 (0) 69 698053 47

Fax: 49 (0) 69 698053 20


GREECE

Gold Star Ltd.

Tel: 30 210 3246706,Fax: 30 210 3246723


HUNGARY

AVIAREPS MO. KFT. Borbély utca 5-7.

1132. Budapest, Hungary

Tel:+36 1 411 3880, Fax: +36 1 411 3881


INDIA

Ahmedabad

Benzy Holidays Pvt Ltd, (Passenger GSA)

Tel: 079 26403525 and 30013429


Cargo GSA, Sharaf Cargo Pvt Ltd

Tel: 079 65454080 or 65454081


Pune

Leonard Travels Pvt Ltd

Tel: (952-0) 26131647/7690

Fax: (952-0) 26130782

Mobile: 9371040951


[email protected]

STIC Travels Pvt :Ltd

Bangalore

Tel: 080-22267613/22202408/

22256194/22256195/22269189/

22269180/81/82/83/86/87

Fax: (080) 22202409


Bodhgaya

Tel: (063) 220 1166

Cochin

Tel: (0484) 235 7323/6835/6622/236

9610/1638/2652/677

Fax: (0484) 2357642


Jaipur

Tel: (0141) 2372997/998/965

Fax: (0141) 2373059


Chandigarh

Tel: (0172) 2706562/67/2721828

816/27064445/2721336/337

Fax: (0172) 2702770


Kolkata

Tel: (033) 22297112/105/22174911/13/

16/17. 2229 2014/4464 2092/4464/7832

Fax: (033) 22266588


Hyderabad

Tel: (040) 23235657/1451/101277

55612955/8755

Fax: (040) 55612966


Jallandhar

Tel: (018) 2232056/58/59

2884759/5084759

Fax: (018) 2230961


Chennai

Tel: (044) 24330211/0098/0255/0841

(044) 24330659/24351829

Fax: (044) 24330170


[email protected]

Trivandrum

Tel: (0471)231 0919/1548

1554/3509/2312582/410

Fax: (0471)2310919


INDONESIA

PT Ayuberga

Tel: 62-218356214/15/16/17/18

Fax: 62-218353937


IRAN

Iran National Airlines Corp.

Tel: 9821 6002010

Fax: 9821 6012941

IRELAND

PremAir Marketing Services (P Only).

Tel: 353-1-663-3938

Fax: 353-1-661-0752


Heavyweight Air Express Ltd (Cargo)

Tel: 353-1-811-8693, Fax: 353-1-811-8901


ISRAEL-TEL AVIV

Opensky Cargo Ltd

Tel: 972-3-972-4338

CTO Tel: 972 3 7971405

Central Reservation Office

Tel: 972 3 7971400/1403/1404

Reservation agent

Tel: 972 3 7971407

ShebaMiles & Group desk


ITALY

ATC (Cargo only)

Tel: 39 02 506791

Fax: 39 02 55400116


SITA-MILGSET/CRT:CMIZZET

Tel: 39 06 65010715

Fax: 39 06 65010242


SITA-ROMGSET

JAPAN

Air System Inc.

Tel: (81) -3- 3593 6730

Fax: (81) -3- 3593 6534


www.airsystem.jp

Mercury International Co Ltd Cargo

Tel: (8)1-3-3522-2286 Fax: (81)-3-3522-2280


[email protected]

JORDAN

Al Karmel Travel

Tel: 9626 5688301, Fax: 9626 5688302

KENYA

Cargo GSA,Freight In Time

P O Box 41852-00100, Nairobi, Kenya


Tel: (+254 020-827044 / 827248/9 /827480

Ext: 132, Fax: 254 020-822709

Cell: 254 721 217141

Wireless: 254 020-3560579

KUWAIT

Al-Sawan Co. W.L.L.

Tel: (965) 2433141 (6 Lines)

Fax: (965) 2453130/2462358


SITA-KWIRRET,KWITOET

LIBERIA

Trade Management Int’l (Passeger only)

Tel: 002316 524452

LIBYA (passenger & cargo)

Herodotus Travel & Tourism Services

Tel: 218 21 3408306/07

Fax: 218 21 3408305


MALAYSIA

Plancongan Abadi SDN BHD

Tel: 2426360/2484313

Fax: 2412322/2486462

MADAGASCAR

Air Madagascar

Tel: 222-22, SITA TNRBGMD

MALTA

Bajada Enterprises Limited

Tel: 356 21237939

Fax: 356 21237939

MAURITANIA

Agence Megrebine de Voyages

Tel: 222 254852/250584

MEXICO

Aviareps

Tel: 5255-5212-1193

Toll free: 01800-510-8212 (MEX)

Fax: 5255-5553-5867

MOROCCO

Skyline International

Tel: 212 2 368322/23

Fax: 212 2 369775

SITA CASDSUS


MOZAMBIQUE

Globo Tours LDA

Tel: 27 11 308067

Fax: 27 11 303596

NEPAL

Gurans Travel & Tours Pvt. Ltd.

Tel: 977-1-5524232

Fax: 977-1-5521880


[email protected]

NETHERLANDS

Kales Airline Services B.V

Tel: 31 020 655 3680

Fax: 31 020 655 3686


Air Support B.V (Cargo only)

Tel: 31 (0) 20 316 4210

Fax: 31 (0) 20 316 4213


NEW ZEALAND

World Aviation systems (PAX)

Tel:(64) 9-300-4514 , Fax: (64)-9-3083386

Email: [email protected].

NIGERIA

Diplomat Travels and Tourism Agency

Tel: 09-5233770/08037006676

Fax:09-5241147

www.diplomattravel.com

OMAN

National Travel & Tourism

Tel: 968 24660300

Fax: 968 24566125


SITA MCTTOET

EthiOpiAn AiRLinEs gEnERAL sALEs AgEnts

PAKISTAN

Trade Winds Associates Pvt. Ltd. Islamabad

Tel: 92 51 2823040/2823350

Fax: 92 51 2824030

Karachi

Tel: 9221-3566-1712-13-14 & 16

Fax: 009221-3566-1715

Lahore

Tel: 9242-3630-5229, 9242-3636-5165

Fax: 9242-3631-4051

Tel: 2823040/2823350, Fax: 2824030

Tel: 6305229/6365165, Fax: 6314051

PERU

Aviareps

Tel: 511-2418289/2416767, Fax: 511-8278

PHILIPPINES

Travel Wide Associates (PAX)

Tel: (63)-2 8962412, Fax: (63)- 0908125

Email:[email protected], [email protected]

Travel Wide Associates (CGO)

Tel: (63)-2 8906603, Fax: (63) - 854 7456


POLAND

Tal Aviation Poland Ltd., Al. Ujazdowskie

20 00-478 Warsaw Poland

Tel: 48 22 627 2259, Fax: 48 22 625 3146


PORTUGAL

Across / Air Mat

Tel: 351 217-817470, Fax: 351 217-817979

QATAR

Fahd Travels

Tel 974-4432233, Fax 974-4432266

RUSSIA

AVIAREPS Russia Olympic Plaza 39, Prospect

Mira, Bldg. 2 129110 Moscow Russia

Tel: 7-495-937 59 50 Fax: 7-495-937 59 51


RWANDA

Kigali, Satguru International

Tel: 250-573079


SAUDI ARABIA

Jeddah

Tel: 966 2 6531222,Fax: 966 2 6534258

E-mail:[email protected]

Alkhobar

Tel 966-3 8649000, Fax 966-3 8941205

SEYCHELLES

Mason’s Travel Pty. Ltd. (P & C only)

Tel: 248 324173, Fax: 248 288888


SIERRA LEONE

IPC Travel (Passengers Only)

Tel: 221481/2/3/226244, Fax: 227470

SINGAPORE

CitiAir & Holidays Pte. Ltd.

Tel: 0065 62971213, Fax: 0065 62971884


SOUTH AFRICA

Holiday Aviation

Tel: 27 (0) 11 289 8077/78, 27 (0) 11 289 8136

Fax: 27 (0) 11 289 8072


Airline Cargo Resources (Pty)Ltd.

Tel: (2711) 2979-4944, Fax: (2711)979 4949


SITA: JNBGSET/JNBTDET

SOUTH KOREA

Wooree Agency Corp. (PAX)

Tel: (82) -2- 777 9850, Fax: (82) -2- 7747765


Sharp Inc (CGO)

Tel: (82)-2-7221567, Fax: (82)-2-7342813


SUDAN

Satguru Investments

Tel: (249) 128106365


[email protected]

SPAIN

Air Travel Management (Passenger Only)

Tel: 34 91 4022718, Fax: 34 91 3092203


SITA MADZZET

Madrid (cargo only)

Tel: (0034) 934904145, Fax: (0034) 9349039


* For physical Address please call or email the respective general sales offices

SRI LANKA & MALDIVES

VMS Air Services Pvt. Ltd.

Tel: (941) 347624/347625

Fax: (941) 348165, SITA-CMBRRET


SWEDEN

Khyber International

Tel: (46-8) 4111826

Fax: (468) 4111826

Email: ethiopianairlies@khyberise


Regementsgatan 8,

1st fl SE-211 42 Malmö

Tel: +46 40 36 38 10, Fax +46 40 36 38 19

or


Söderbyvägen 3C, SE-195 60 Arlandastad, Sweden

Phone: +46 8 594 411 90, Fax: +46 8 594 422 44

SWITZERLAND

Airline Center 15, Ch 8004, Zurich Swirtzerland

Tel: 41 44 286 9968, Fax: 41 44 28 69978


AIRNAUTIC AG, Peter Merian Str.2 CH-4002,

Basel Switzerland (Cargo only)

Basel Tel: +41 61 227 9797

Fax: 41 61 227 9780


SYRIA

Al Tarek Travel & Tourism (P & C)

Tel: 963 11 2211941/2216265

Fax: 963 11 2235225

TANZANIA

Arusha, Boma Road

Tel: 255 2 72504231/6167

255 2 72509904-TSM

Kilimanjaro Airport

255 2 72554159


[email protected]

TAIWAN

Apex Travel (P only)

Tel: (886)-2-27407722

Fax: (886)-2- 2718 1057


[email protected]

Global Aviation Service (Taiwan) Inc (C only)

Tel: (886) -2- 2658 0255, Fax: (886) -2- 2659 7610


[email protected]

THAILAND

Oriole Travel & Tour (cargo only)

Tel: 662 2379201-9, Fax: 662 2379200


SITA-BKKRRET

TUNIS

Tel: 785100/288100, SITA-TUNRMTU

TURKEY

Panorama

Tel: 90 212 2300990/2310790

Fax: 90 212 2309171/2309601


UK

Globe Air Ltd (Cargo only)

Tel: 44 208 757 4747

Fax: 44 208 831 9309


USA

CARGO GSA Heavy Weight Air Express(HW)

Tel: 630 595 2323


Fax: 630 595 3232

Address 1555 Mittel Boulevard

Suite F Wooddale, IL 60191

VENEZUELA

Aviareps

Tel: 58-212-2866951, Fax: 58-212-2866951

YEMEN

Marib Travel & Tourist Agency

P.O.Box 7298, Hadda, Sana’a

Tel: 9671 426 837, Sales 9671 426 833 (5 lines)

Fax: 9671 426 836

Email: [email protected] (G Manager)

[email protected] (Travel Manager)

YUGOSLAVIA

Jugoslovenski Aerotransport

Tel: 683164, SITA-BEGCZJU

ZANZIBAR

(P & C) MARHABA HOTELS TRAVELS & TOURS LTD

Melinda Street, Zanzibar, P O BOX 3074

Tel: 255 24 2231527 - 28



ANGOLALargo 4 De Fevereiro Hotel Meridien Presidente Luanda, AngolaTel: 2442 310328/310615Fax: 2442 310328

BAHRAINChamber of Commerce BuildingP. O. Box 1044Manama, Kingdon Of BahrainTel: 973-17-215-022/29Fax: 973-17-210-175Email: [email protected]

BELGIUMBrussels...Brucargo building 704 P.O.BOX 31 B1931,Zaventem,BelgiumTEL.322-753-5221/2/3/8/9 Mobile: 324-795-92021 (CME) 324-973-38225 (MAS) Fax: 322-753-5226 [email protected]

BURKINA FASOAvenue Kwame N`krumah mmb. Bàti01 BP 4883 Ouaga 01Tel: Office 0022650301024/25Email: [email protected] [email protected]

BURUNDIAvenue De La Victorie No. 09P.O. Box 573, BujumburaTel: 257-226820/226038Fax: 257-248089APT: 257-229842Mobile: 257-78 814844Email: [email protected]

CAMEROUN30 Avenue General Charles De GaulleB.P 1326 Douala, CamerounCTO Tel: 237-33-430246AM Direct Line: 237-33-430264CTO Fax: 237-33-430167AM Mobile: 237-77-937929APT Tel: 237-33433730APT Fax: 237-33430167Email: [email protected] Miles Desk: [email protected]

CHADAvenue Charles De GauleP.O. Box 989, N’djamenaCTO Tel: 235 2523143/2523027Tel: 235-523143/523027ATO Tel: 235 2522599APT: 235-522599Mobile: 235-6 6896226

CHINAL203 China World Tower 2,China World Trade CentreNo.1 Jianguomenwai Ave. Beijing(100004)Tel: 8610-65050314/5 / 65069692Fax: 8610-65054120APT Tel: 8610-64591156APT Fax: 8610-64599445E-mail: [email protected]

Guangzhou World Trade Centre Complex13th Floor, Room No. 1303-1305Huan Shi Dong Road, ChinaCTO Tel: 8620-87621101/0120/0836Fax: 8620-87620837APT Tel./Fax: 8620-36067405E-mail: [email protected]

CONGO, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICBoulevard du 30 Juin No. 1525Aforia Building - 1st Floor Gombe, KinshasaCTO tel.: 243-817-006-585/810-884-000Apt. Mobile: 243-817-006-589Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

CONGO, REPUBLIC OFAvenue Foch, BrazzavilleP.O. Box 14125Tel: 242-810761/810766Fax: 242-810766E-mail: [email protected]

COTE D’IVOIREAvenue Chardy Immeuble Le ParisP.O.Box 01 BP 5897 ABJ 01,AbidjanCTO Tel: 225-20219332/20215538Tel: 234-97807126, 234-92907927 Mobile: 234-8037006676Fax: 225-20219025CTO Mobile: 225-05061583APT Tel: 225-21278819APT Mobile: 225-05063294CTO Email: [email protected]: [email protected]

DJIBOUTIRue De MarseillesP.O. Box 90, DjiboutiTel: 253-351007/354235, Fax: 253-350599APT: 253-341216Email: [email protected]

DUBAIDubaiTel: 971-4-228 4338

EGYPT3ARifat Saleh Tawfik off Farid SemeikaHigaz-Al Nozha HelipolisP.O. Box 807, Ataba, CairoTel: 262-14934/935/936/937, Fax: 262-14934APT: 202-2265 4398 Email: [email protected] Office AVIATRANS Office 205 International Export Center Tel/Fax: +20 2 22671469E-mail: [email protected]

EQUITORIAL GUINEACarreterra De Luba Malabo Tel: 240 090588, Fax: 240090593 Po box 475 Malabo ,Equatoerial GuineaEmail: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

ETHIOPIAMain City Ticket Office Churchill RoadP.O. Box 1755, Addis AbabaTel: 251 11 5517000 251 11 6656666 (Reservation) 251 11 5178320 (Apt)Fax: 251 11 6611474

Yekatit 66 AvenueP.O. Box 176, Dire DawaTel: 251 25 1113069, 251 25 1112546

FRANCE66 Avenue des Champs Elysees 75008 ParisCTO Tel: 0825 826 135 /33 1 53 89 21 02Fax: 331-5377-1303APT: 331-4862-6632, APT Fax: 331-4862-6634APT (Mobile): 336-7081-9024Email: [email protected]

GABONQuartier London Rue Ogouarouwe Plaque No. 14 PO Box 12802, LibrevilleTel: 241 760144/45APT Tel: 241 443255, Fax: 241 760146

GERMANYAm Hauptbahnhof 6 60329 Frankfurt Am MainCTO Tel: 49-69-274-00727, 2740070/0049 (0) 1711 472 569CTO Fax: 49-69-274-00730APT: Frankfurt Flughafen,PO Box 750254Tel: 49 (0) 6969051921/ 49 (0) 1764 0251387APT Tel: 4969-032-391/4969-690-5192APT Fax: 4969-691-945CTO Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

GHANAKwame Nkrumah Avenue, Cocoa House,Ground FloorTel: 233-21664856/57/58, Fax: 233-21673968APT: 233-21775168/778993/776171E-mail: [email protected]

HONG KONGRm 1102 Lippo Sun Plaza 28 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong KongTel: 852-2117 0233, Fax: 852-2117 1811APT: 852-31508122, APT Fax: 852-31508125SITA: HKGKKET,HKGAPETEmail: [email protected]

INDIA30-B World Trade Centre, Cuffe,Cuffe Parade, Mumbai 400005CTO Tel. 22166066/67/68, CTO Fax: 22153725CTO Email: [email protected] Tel: 66859410 or 66859411ATO Fax: 66859412CGO Tel: 26828415/16, CGP Fax: 26828417E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] Building, 1st Floor56, Janpath, New Delhi 110 001Tel: 95 11-23312304, Fax: 95 11-23529235CTO Tel: 95 11-23312302/303ATO Tel: 95 11-25653739/40Email: [email protected], [email protected] Manager Email: [email protected]

ISRAEL1 Ben Yehuda Street Room 2016, Tel AvivCTO Tel: 972-3-797-1405, Fax: 972-3-5160574APT: 972-3-9754096, APT Fax: 972-3975-4097CGO: 972-3975-4096Email: [email protected]

ITALYPiazza Barberini 52 00187 Rome, ItalyCTO Tel: 39 06 42011199Tel: 3906-4200-9220, Fax: 3906-481-9377APT: 3906-6595-4126APT Fax: 3906-6501-0621CGO: 3906-65954113Email: [email protected] Albricci 9 - 20122 MilanTel: 3902 8056562, Fax: 3902 72010638Email: [email protected]

KENYABruce House Muindi Mbingu StreetP.O. Box 42901-00100, NairobiTel: 254-20 247508, Fax: 254-20 219007APT: 254-20 822236/311CTO: 254-20311507/311544Mobile: 254-722518532Email: [email protected] [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Road TSS TowerP.O. Box 94600 – 80115 Mombasa, KenyaTel: (+ 254 )( 41) 231 9977/78/79Apt: (+254) ( 41) 2011199Cel: (+254) 714 618 989CTO: [email protected] [email protected]: [email protected]

LEBANONClemenceau St. Gefinor Center,Block (B) Beirut, LebanonTel/Fax: 961-1752846/7, APT: 961-1629814Email: [email protected]

MALAWIKenyata Drive, Bisnowaty CentreCTO Tel: 01 771 002/ 308 or 01 772 031Fax: 01 772 013 ATO: 01 700 782Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

MALISquare Patrice Lumumba P.O. Box 1841, BamakoTel: 00 223-2222088, Fax: 00 223-2226036APT Mobile: 00 223-6795819Email: [email protected]

NIGERIACVC Building 3, Idowu Taylor, Victoria Island,Lagos, NigeriaP.O. Box 1602Tel: 234-1-7744711/2, Fax: 234-1-4616297APT: 234-1-7744710/7751921/3Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]

Airport Office, Aviation HouseMurtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja Lagos. Tel: 234-1-7744710, FAX: 234-1-2711655 Email: [email protected] Ticket Office -ABV: Ethiopian Airlines,Omega Centre, Plot 527, Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja-NigeriaTel: +234-8039759711,+234 8077951197,+234-80563881845, +234-8038532861 Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Airport Office -ABV: Ethiopian Airlines,Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja-NigeriaTel: +234-8039759711,+234-92903852, +234-7081922920, + 234-8023912380 E-mail: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Ethiopian Cargo LOS-office Nahco Cargo Complex MMIA Ikeja Lagos Tel(mob): +2347034065669

RWANDACentenary House, Ground FloorP.O. Box 385, KigaliTel: 250-575045/570440/42Fax: 250-570441APT: 250-514296Email: [email protected]

SAUDI ARABIAMedina Road, Adham CenterP.O. Box 8913, Jeddah 21492Tel: 9662-6512365/6614/9609Fax: 9662-6516670APT: 9662-6853064/196APT Fax: 9662-685316CGO Tel/Fax: 9662 6851041Email: [email protected] Jeddah AirportFax: 966-2 6853196

Mobile: 966-504301358Email: [email protected] cargo officeTel: 966-2 6850756 / 6851041Fax: 966-2 6851041Email: [email protected] Ticket or Town OfficeE-mail [email protected] 966-505217168

SENEGALImmeuble La Rotonde, Rue Dr. ThezePO Box 50800, CP 18524 DKR RPTel: 221-823 5552/54Fax: 221-823 5541APT Tel: 221-820-9396/5077Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

SOMALI LANDCI Maarat al Khayr BuildingTel: 252-2-520681/528445Mobile: 252-2-4427575Email: [email protected]

SOUTH AFRICA156 BRAM FISCHER DRIVE2nd floor Holiday House - RandburgCTO Tel: 27-11-7815950CTO Fax: 27-11-7816040APT Tel: 27-11-3903819APT Fax: 27-11-3943438CTO Email: [email protected] [email protected]

SWEDENKungsgatan 37, SE-11156 StockholmTel: 46 (0) 8 440 0060/ 46 (0) 8 440 2900ATO: 46 8 59360170CTO: 46 8 4402900/4400060Fax: 46 (0) 8 206622APT: 46 859360170Email: [email protected] [email protected]

SUDANGamhoria Street, El-Nazir Building No. 3/2GP.O. Box 944 KhartoumTel: 2491-83762063/88Fax: 2491-83788428APT: 2491-8790991Email: [email protected] [email protected]: 249-811-823600/20Fax: 249-811-823600

TANZANIAT.D.F.L Building Ohio StreetP.O. Box 3187, Dar-es-SalaamTel: 255-22 2117063-65/2125443Fax: 255-22 2115875Mobile: 255 754 285 899 786 110 066Area Manager: 255 786 285 899Email: [email protected] [email protected] APT Tel: 255-22 2844243Mobile: 255 786285898Email: [email protected]

Boma RoadP.O. Box 93 Arusha, TanzaniaCTO: 255 27 2506167 - 2504231, 2509904TSM: 255-27 2509904Mobile: 255 450224Email: [email protected] [email protected] Airport: : 255 27 2554159Email: [email protected]

THAILAND140 One Pacific Bldg, Unit 180718th Floor, Sukhumvit RoadKlongtoey, Bangkok 10110Tel: 662-6534366/7/8Fax: 662-6534370APT Tel: 662-1343061/64APT Fax: 662-1343060CGO: 662-2379207Fax: 662-2379200Email: [email protected]

TOGOHotel Palm Beach, 1 Rue KomoreP.O. Box 12923Tel: 228 2217074/2218738Fax: 228 2221832APT: 228 2263029/228 2261240Ext. 4313/4517Email: [email protected]

UGANDA1 Kimathi AvenueP.O. Box 3591, KampalaTel: 256 41 254796/97/345577/78Fax: 256 41 321130/231455APT: 256 41 320570/321130/320555/320516 Ext. 3052/98Email: [email protected]

UNITED ARAB EMIRATESFlat 202, Pearl Bldg., Beniyas StreetP.O. Box 7140, DubaiTel: 9714-2237963/87Fax: 9714-2273306APT: 9714-2166833/1833/2161833APT Fax: 9714-2244841/2822655CGO: 9714-2822880/2163813CGO Fax: 9714-2822655CTO Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

UNITED KINGDOM1 Dukes Gate, Acton Lane London W4 5DXTel: 44-208 987 9086 (Admin) 44-208 987 7000 (Reservations) Fax: 44-208 747 9339Email: [email protected]

Airport office Rm 238,East wing terminal 3 London Heathrow,Airport Middlesex, TW6 1JT Tel: 44- 208 745 4234/35, Fax: 44-208 745 7936Email: [email protected]

Cargo Services: Globe Air Ltd. (Cargo only)Tel: 44- 208 757 4747Fax: 44- 208 831 9309Email: [email protected]

UNITED STATES OF AMERICAToll Free No:Tel: 800-4452733 Dulles International AirportP.O. Box 16855Washington, DC 20041Tel: 703-572-8740, Fax: 703-572-8738Mobile: 202-255-8399Ethiopian Airlines 277 South Washington Street Suit 120 Alexandria, VA 22314Tel: (01) 703-6820569, Fax: (01) 703-6920573

YEMENBeirut Street, Faj Attan RoadP.O. Box 7298, Sana’a Republic of YemenCTO Tel. 967 1 427 993, Fax: 967 1 427 992Email: [email protected] Tel. 967 1 348 188Email: [email protected]

ZAMBIALusaka CTO Address Indo Zambia Bank BuildingOff Cairo Road, Plot No. 6907P.O. Box 38392, Tel: 260 211- 235761 Direct: 260 211 - 236401/02/03 Fax: 260 211 - 235644 Mobile: 260 955 - 235644 Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] AddressLusaka International AirportPo Box 38392, Lusaka Zambia Tel: 260 211 - 271141 Mobile: 260 955 - 271141Email: [email protected]

ZANZIBARTel: 255 774417070, 777667665Email: [email protected] [email protected]

ZIMBABWECabs Center, 4th Floor CNR Jason Moyo Avenue 2nd St.P.O. Box 1332, HarareTel: 263 4790705/6/700735Fax: 263 4795216APT: 263 4575191Email: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

EthiOpiAn AiRLinEs OFFiCEs

86 sELAMtA

dining OUtARABIC & MEDITERRANEAN Al Baraka( 011-515-5903Bole Road, next to Bole Printing PressKnown for: Hannid, Kebabs Al Baraka7 days a week

Al Mendi( 011-551-2143On the road between Olympia and Bambis, opposite Greek SchoolKnown for: Al Mendi meat7 days a week

Serenade Restaurant( 091-120-0072Near Master Printing Press Amist KiloKnown for: Fine home cooking, dinner onlyClosed: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Sundays

ARMENIANAladdin Restaurant( 011-661-4109Off Bole Road, near the Japanese Embassy’s ResidenceKnown for: Grilled meat, houmus, taboulleh7 days a week

Ararat Club( 011-111-3572Piazza, behind Nazareth School Known for: Sheshkebab and Mante SoupClosed: Sundays

ASIANChina Bar and Restaurant( 011-551-3772 / 011-552-6650Next to Ghion Hotel Known for: One of the oldest restaurants in Addis7 days a week

Rainbow Seoul( 011-551-2311 On Bole Road, next to Oromia BureauKnown for: Korean dishes7 days a week

Shanghai( 011-465-5290On Debre Zeit Road, next to Omedad BuildingKnown for: Exceptional variety of Chinese dishes7 days a week

CONTINENTAL/EUROPEAN Addis Ababa Golf Club( 011-320-1893 / 091-320-1893Old Airport in front of Swiss EmbassyKnown for: BBQ at weekends7 days a week

Amsterdam Bar & Restaurant( 011-661-3493Next to Bole MiniKnown for: Roast Beef7 days a week

Blue Tops ( 011-123-2463 / 64Amist Kilo in front of the National MuseumKnown for: Pizza, ice cream Closed: Mondays

Breezes (Sheraton Addis)( 011-517-1717 Ext. 6501Known for: BBQ on Sundays7 days a week

Family Restaurant( 011-371-3238 / 011-850-0279In front of Ibex HotelKnown for: Mexican Food and Warm Chocolate Cake with Ice cream7 days a week

Gazebo (Hilton)( 011-551-8400 Ext. 953Beside the poolKnown for: Salads and Hamburgers7 days a week Hamlet Steak House( 011-416-8691Meskel Flower StreetKnown for: Steak7 days a week

Jacaranda (Hilton)( 011-551-84 00 Ext. 986In the Garden Wing of the hotelKnown for: unique menu that continuously changesClosed: Sundays

Kaffa House (Hilton)( 011-551-8400 Ext. 962In the main lobby of the HiltonKnown for: Seafood every Friday7 days a week

Les Arcades (Sheraton Addis)( 011-517-1717 Ext. 6604Known for: Gourmet menuClosed: Sundays

Rodeo Bar and Restaurant( 011-551-0294On Bole Road, next to DStv. Known for: BBQ on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays7 days a week

Summerfields (Sheraton Addis)( 011-517-1717 Ext. 6089Known for: Hamburgers, Buffet and Ice-Cream7 days a week

The Cottage( 011-551-6359 / 011-554-1532 / 23Next to 7th Day Adventist ChurchKnown for: Fondue & Irish Coffee in bar7 days a week

The Showroom( 091-137-4582Mexicp, inside Seferian compoundKnow for: French Pasta7 days a week

Top View( 011-651-1573 / 77Up the hill from Meganagna Roundabout, Asmara RoadKnown for: PastaClosed: Mondays

ETHIOPIANAbasha Restaurant ( 011-551-8358 Bole Road, next to Sabit Bld.Known for: Kwanta Ferfer and Bozena Shiro 7 days a week

Agelgil Restaurant( 011-465-3299 Inside Villa VerdiKnown for: Agelgel (combination of different Ethiopian dishes)7 days a week

Dashen Restaurant( 011-552-9746 / 011-655-6437Behind the main Post OfficeKnown for: Melasse Tibs and live music on weekend nights7 days a week

Enesra Traditional Bar & Restaurant ( 091-165-3611 On Mickey Leland Road, Opposite Nyala InsuranceKnown for: Special Tibs 7 days a week

Fasika National Restaurant( 011-550-9912 / 011-551-4193Off Bole Road, in front of Sunshine Building Known for: Enfele and live musicClosed: Mondays

Gursha Restaurant( 011-663-2545 Opposite Silver BulletKnown for: Bozena Shiro & Kitfo7 days a week

Shangri La Restaurant & Bar( 011-663-2424Mickey Leyland Road, adjacent to the European CommissionKnown for: Ethiopian dishes, including Tej and raw meat7 days a week

Yod Abyssinia Culture( 011-661- 2176 / 663-9844 Next to Desalegn Hotel Known for: Ethiopian dishes, including Tej & raw meat7 days a week

FRENCHLoti Restaurant( 011-553-1313 Tebaber Berta Business Center, 3rd Floor Ethio-China Friendship Street (Wollo Sefer)Known for: French, Spanish & African dishes7 days a week

INDIANAjanta Restaurant( 011-661-1049 Near to Rwanda Embassy, Opposite Bole ClinicKnown for: South Indian, North Indian cuisine & Indian sweets7 days a week

Jewel of India( 011-551-3154Off Bole Road from Olympia, towards Meskel Flower HotelKnown for: Tandooris, Tikkas 7 days a week

Sangam’s ( 011-551-8976 / 011-550-3834Next to City CaféKnown for: Tandoori Chicken and fresh Naans7 days a week

Shaheen (Sheraton) ( 011-517-1717 Ext. 3633Known for: Live cooking, delicate flavours and express lunch menu7 days a week

GERMAN Beer Garden inn Restaurant( 011-618-2595 / 91 / 95Behind Edna mallKnown for: Home brewed beerand European DishesClosed: Mondays

ITALIAN Antica Restaurant( 001-663-4841 / 661 5815Of Bole Road, near Moonlight lounge Known for: Brick Oven Pizza and Hot Rock BBQ7days a week

Arcobaleno ( 011-371-3257In Mekanisa, in front of Midroc Head OfficeKnown for: Antipasto, Nile Perch and Gorgonzola Cheese Sauce7 days a week

Castelli ( 011-157-1757 / 001-156- 3580Off Piazza Arada Road, in front of Mohmoud Music ShopKnown for: Pastas, Grilled Fish, Chicken and SaladsClosed: Sundays

Don Vito( 011-465-3809 / 465-5389 On Debre Zeit Road, before Concorde HotelKnown for: Fresh Pasta & PizzaClosed: Tuesdays

IL Caminetto( 011-662-5587Off Bole Road, the street in front of Brass ClinicKnown for: Pastas & RavioliClosed: Sundays

Makush Italian Restaurant( 011-552-6848 / 55Bole Road Mega Building 1st floor7 days a week 11:00am-11:00pm

Pizzeria (Hilton) ( 001-551-8400 Ext. 962Through the Kaffa HouseKnown for: Antipasto and Pizzas7 days a week

Pizzeria Italia ( 011-515-6553Off Bole RoadKnown for: Pizza7 days a week

Stagioni (Sheraton Addis)( 011-517-1717 Ext. 6097Known for: Regional menus7 days a week

CAFES / PASTRY SHOPSBole Mini( 011-662-5818Bole RoadKnown for Burgers, Fresh Fruit Juice, Waffles & Donuts 7 days a week

City Café & Pastry( 011-515-1807 On Bole Road, next to Mega HouseKnown for: Millefogli, Black Forest and Ice cream 7 days a week

Enrico’s Pastry( 011-557-1490Off Churchill Road, next to the Italian Library across from Mega Book StoreKnown for: Millefogli and Cream Puffs 7 days a week

Fantasy Cafe(011-550-5298On Bole Road Medhanialem Roadnear Atlas HotelKnown for: Cinamon danish 7 days a week

IL Pinguino Gelateria( 011-515-5592Off Bole Road at Olympia towards Haile Gebre Selassie AvenueKnown for: Sundae Ice cream Closed: Wednesdays

Kaldi’s Cafe( 011-663-8455 In front of Bole MedhanialemKnown for: Caramel Macchiato 7 days a week

La Parisienne( 011-552-8820 Off Bole Road, at OlympiaKnown for: Croissants & Breads 7 days a week

Lime Tree(011-663-0872 On Bole Road, above Boston Day spa, infront of TanaKnown for: Fresh meals,salads, delicious desserts7 days a week

London Café( 001-662- 0197On Bole Road, next to Satellite RestaurantKnown for: Melewah (Yemeni pastry)7 days a week

Roby’s( 011-551-8808On Bole Road opposite Mega HouseKnown for: Italian Pastry and Fruit Cake 7 days a week

Saay Pastry( 011-618-8000On Bole Road, next to FantuKnown for: Croissants 7 days a week

Temptations (Sheraton)( 011-517-1717 Ext. 3633Known for: A wide selection of breads 7 days a week

Tomoca( 011-111-2498Off Churchill Road, on the sameroad as BookWorldKnown for: Many varieties of coffee 7 days a week

Village CaféIn front of Estifanos Church, corner of Meskel SquareKnown for: Mini-pizzas 7 days a week

LATE NIGHTBeer Garden(011-618-2595 / 91 P.O Box 25 932/1000, Fax: 251-116 18 3118Email: [email protected]

Hari’s Cigar Bar & Lounge( 011-553-9995Bole road, Wollo Sefer, Berta Building, 1st FloorKnown for: Cigar and Cocktail Drinks7 days a week

The Mask Pub ( 011-663-1102Bole Road behind Palestinian EmbassyKnown for: Snacks, Decor7 days a week

Memo Club( 001-551-9887Off Bole Road, behind Exhibition CentreKnown for: Bozena Shiro and Grill, Dancing 7 days a week

Savanna Safari Pub & Grill( 091-1 210-610Bole Road, close to airportKnown for: Snacks and Dancing, Jazz on Wednesdays 7 days a week

HOTELSHarmony Hotel( 011-618-3100

Jupiter International Hotel( 011-661-6969 / 011-552-7333


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kumu(p)help irdagn(M)/irgegn(F)/

irdugn(p)hospital hospital/hakem betpolice polis

simple pronunciation guide:a as the a in fathere as the e in seti as the i in shipo as the o in gou as the oo in bootgn as the gn in compagne (French)

Amharic spellings that follow are phonetic as per the above guide to aid in pronunciation.

M-Masculine, F-Feminine & p (plural and can be used for older people)

MEEting And gREEtinghello halogood morning Endemn adderu/

k(M)/sh(F)good afternoon Endemn walu/k(M)/

sh(F)good evening Endemn ameshu/

eh(M)/esh(F)goodbye dehna hunu/

hun(M)/hugne(F)how are you? tenayistillign

/endemen not? eh(M)/esh(F)

i am well dehna negnthank you (very much) (Betam)

amesegenallehuYou’re welcome (don’t mention it) Minim aydelplease come in Yigbu/giba(M)/

gibi(F)please sit down Yikemetu/

tekemet(M)/tekemechi(F)

what is your name? simewo man no?h(M)/sh(F)

My name is . . . sime . . . nowhere do you come from? Keyet Metu? ah(M)/

ash(F) hagero yet

no?eh(M)/esh(F)i come from . . . Ke . . . metahuMy country is . . . hagere . . . noCan you speak Amharic? Amaregna

yenageralu? tenageraleh(M)/tenageriyalesh(F)

Only a little tinishi want to learn more Yebelete memar

ifelegalehuhow do you find Ethiopia? itiyopiyan endet

agegnuat? hat(M)/shat(F)

i like it here itiyopiya tesmamtognal

UsEFUL wORdstoday Zaretomorrow negeYesterday tilantnow AhunQuickly toloslowly KesMr AtoMrs weyzeroMiss weyzeriti EneYou Ersewohe, she Essu, Essoawe Egnathey Ennessuwhat? Min?who? Man?when? Metche?how? Endet?why? Lemin?which? Yetignaw?Yes (all right) Eshino Aydelem / AyhonemExcuse me Yikirtai am sorry Aznallehugood tiru / melkamBad Metfo

REstAURAnts/shOps/hOtELshotel hotelRoom KifilBed Algato sleep Metegnatto bathe galan metatebwhere is the toilet? Metatebiya betu yet

new?where may i get Yemiteta neger yetsomething to drink? agengalehu?Coffee BunaOne (cup of) coffee And (sini) bunaBeer BirraCold Kezkazahot Muktea shayFood MigibMeat sigaFish AssaBread daboButter Kebesugar sikuarsalt Chowpepper Berbereshop sukto buy Megzatto sell MeshetMoney genzebCent santimehow much does this cost? wagaw sint no?that is quite expensive Betam wood no

nUMBERsOne Andtwo huletthree sostFour AratFive Amistsix sidistseven sebatEight semmintnine Zetegnten AsserEleven Asra-andtwelve Asra-huletthirteen, etc. Asra-sost, etc.twenty hayatwenty-one, etc. haya-and, etc.thirty selasathirty-one, etc. selasa-and, etc.Forty ArbaFifty AmsaOne hundred And metoOne thousand And shi

dAYs OF thE wEEKsunday ihudMonday segnotuesday Maksegnowednesday Erobthursday hamusFriday Arbsaturday Kedame

EngLish–AMhARiC

Learn some basic Amharic so that you can interact with the locals and enjoy your stay in Ethiopia by experiencing the rich culture of the Ethiopian people.

LEARn AMhARiC


CLUEs ACROss1. A simple tune, as sung by monks (9)

8. A mountain top gathering for leaders? (6, 7)

11. Established custom for by singer of 1 (5)

12. Chopped citrus fruits produces viscous fluid (5)

13. One should have no trouble guiding this ox! (5)

16. it seems this vegetable always produces new shoots (6)

17. this is a matter of fact! (6)

18. to get you out of trouble – in a Bali billiard hall! (5)

19. hemingway sounds sincere! (6)

20. it’s capital in a nylon donkey jacket! (6)

21. seaside without id turns to provide relief (5)

24. Change a cent to bring into law (5)

26. Coach that might be used by a bride (5)

27. hide apparel from cranefly larva (7-6)

28. tech cry to become irritable (9)

CLUEs dOwn2. to restrict the ultimate extent (5)

3. All in one piece from sprint action (6)

4. Observe boil (6)

5. Reworked tones – not a lot of these in 1 (5)

6. Bargemen nudge out – you can’t get through! (6,7)

7. Ancient trader – he sells collectables (7.6)

9. hurried after the 100 and was disciplined (9)

10. Clinger in confusion – take it lying down (9)

13. the country’s condition (5)

14. prepares text but sited badly (5)

15. wading birds make tracks (5)

22. promotional release before Christmas? (6)

23. Jail he broke to become prophet (6)

25. teacher under threat initially inside mountain (5)

26. implied quietly though act it up! (5)

Answers across1. plainsong 8. summit meeting 11. habit 12. slime 13. steer 16. sprout 17. Actual 18. Alibi 19. Ernest20. London 21, Eases 24. Enact 26. train 27. Leather jacket 28. Crotchety

Answers down2. Limit 3. intact 4. seethe 5. notes 6. number engaged 7. Antique dealer 9. Chastened 10. Reclining13. state 14. Edits 15. Rails 22. Advent 23. Elijah 25. tutor 26. tacit

place a number from 1 to 9 in every empty cell so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains all the numbers from 1 to 9. no number can appear twice in a row, column or 3x3 box. do not guess – you can work it out by a process of elimination.

good luck!

take time and relax ...have some fun by testing your wit!

sudoku

CROsswORd pUZZLE & sUdOKU

we aim to keep selamta as interesting and informative as possible to a wide cross-section of readers. please let us have your views on the contents of this magazine. what do you like about it? is there anything that you do not like? Are there any topics that you would like to see more of? with your feedback we can make the magazine even better in future.

please drop a line to the publishers: Camerapix Magazines Ltd.Email: [email protected] Or [email protected] you.Rukhsana haq, Editorial director

wE wAnt YOUR viEws!

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Volume 27, Number 3July - September 2010Volume 27, Number 3July - September 2010

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