Lunch, Konso, Ethiopia, 9 Feb 2014.
Gate to house, Konso people village, Ethiopia, 9 Feb 2014.
Konso people village #3, Ethiopia, 9 Feb 2014.
Child eating a mango, Konso people village, Ethiopia, 9 Feb 2014.
Konso people village, #2 Ethiopia, 9 Feb 2014.
Pathway, Konso people village, Ethiopia, 9 Feb 2014.
Hut, Konso people village, Ethiopia, 9 Feb 2014
Woman carrying cornen route to Konso people village, Ethiopia, 9 Feb 2014
Young boy performing on roadside en route to Konso people village, Ethiopia, 9 Feb 2014
Women carrying produce, en route to Konso people village, Ethiopia, 9 Feb 2014
Beehives in acacia, Lake Chamo, Ethiopia, 9 Feb 2014
Acacia, Lake Chamo, Ethiopia, 9 Feb 2014
Crocodile after eating fish, Lake Chomo, Ethiopia, 9 Feb 2014
Crocodile with fish, Lake Chomo, Ethiopia, 9 Feb 2014
Crocodile #2, Lake Chamo, Ethiopia, 9 Feb 2014
Water birds, Lake Chamo, Ethiopia, 9 Feb 2014
Crocodile, Lake Chamo, Ethiopia, 9 Feb 2014
Lake Chamo, Ethiopia, 9 Feb 2014
Hippopotamus #1, Lake Chamo, Ethiopia, 9 Feb 2014
Breakfast was in the dining area that gave us a panoramic although hazy view across Lakes Abaya and Chamo. The cars were loaded up by 7.00 and our departure from the Swayness Hotel was overseen by a baboon having his breakfast in a tree above us.
We drove a short distance to the edge of Lake Chamo where the group climbed into a steel 6m boat powered by a 25 hp motor and headed out into the lake. We traced a path to the edge of a large reedy area where the bird life was spectacular with beautifully coloured herons, ibis, fish eagles and a number of other unidentified birds all in close range. We then entered a small cove and came face to face with three hippopotamuses which seemed unaffected by our presence. We got sufficiently close for good photos but there is danger, as these giant animals have been known to submerge and then resurface under a boat to tip it over! Further around the edge of the lake we encountered dozens of large crocodiles most of which were lying in the water with only the top of their heads visible. Corinne photographed one as it grabbed a fish. The largest croc would have been about 5m. Several more hippos were sighted on our return to the car park. This was a very exciting adventure and the lake was so calm and serene.
The next event on our agenda was to visit the Konso people’s village. These people are famous for their cultural landscape of stone walled terraces and fortified huts built of straw with conical thatched rooves topped with terra-cotta pots. The settlement and its remarkable stonework have recently been added to UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites.
The drive south took us through hills and gullies, where one area was barely above sea level.
A long drive on a mostly dusty road brought us finally to Turmi. Along the way we encountered a number members of the Bena Tribe who are adorned with colourful beads and elegant flowing clothes.
The evening meal at Turmi was accompanied by some G & T as a preliminary celebration of Corinne’s birthday (it was already her birthday in Australia so that was sufficient excuse). Our meals are generally 3 courses - soup, followed by a main course (e.g. beef stroganoff, spaghetti with vegetables, fish..) and a dessert (pancakes or fruit). It is always more than we can eat and we feel guilty wasting it but they don’t seem to understand small servings.
Our accommodation at Turmi Lodge was very comfortable and we are getting used to charging batteries before the generator is turned off.