Ethiopia
Jul 30, 2016 | 9:05 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: usually somewhere between 30000 and 40000 feet...but actually the English countryside
Programs: BA GGL/Lifetime Gold, EK Gold, Lowly M&M, Marriott tit, Hhonors Diamond, numerous others
Posts: 1,156
Hi. Not sure how much you want to do really as this one is a bit of a trek East but if you can manage it Harar is worth a visit. I did it last year, and I recall it being about 240 miles or so, a real step back in time and some great hospitality. I think there is a train but it doesn't go to Harar but somewhere nearby.
I had a guide and we drove, as I had some business there, but managed to get in the hyena feeding ritual and a bit of a poke around town. Old walled city but it's on the way to Somalia, for which I think you will need a bit of a sense of adventure.
In Addis I use the Sheraton or Raddison blu (for points). I'm there around November time too and want to visit the museums this time round in my free time.
Ethiopia has really come on in the last 19 years since the Derg, and is really becoming an economic powerhouse with the ruling socialist party's policy of reinvesting 70% of Government revenues into the country. If using Internet / sms, just be a little wary if sending sensitive information as communications (Goverment controlled / owned) are monitored...
Tipping is expected, not US crazy amounts but I do little and often, get small 1 and 5 Birr notes. Beware some of the money changers outside Addis. There are some rules about currency changing / exchange rates but I can't exactly recall what they were now. You can get a tourist VOA for about $50 which seems to be the going rate in parts of Africa these days, I get mine in advance as is for business.
Maybe buy Lonely Planet or something like that which would be a sound investment. Good luck and enjoy it.
I had a guide and we drove, as I had some business there, but managed to get in the hyena feeding ritual and a bit of a poke around town. Old walled city but it's on the way to Somalia, for which I think you will need a bit of a sense of adventure.
In Addis I use the Sheraton or Raddison blu (for points). I'm there around November time too and want to visit the museums this time round in my free time.
Ethiopia has really come on in the last 19 years since the Derg, and is really becoming an economic powerhouse with the ruling socialist party's policy of reinvesting 70% of Government revenues into the country. If using Internet / sms, just be a little wary if sending sensitive information as communications (Goverment controlled / owned) are monitored...
Tipping is expected, not US crazy amounts but I do little and often, get small 1 and 5 Birr notes. Beware some of the money changers outside Addis. There are some rules about currency changing / exchange rates but I can't exactly recall what they were now. You can get a tourist VOA for about $50 which seems to be the going rate in parts of Africa these days, I get mine in advance as is for business.
Maybe buy Lonely Planet or something like that which would be a sound investment. Good luck and enjoy it.
Jul 31, 2016 | 7:51 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: On the road, 24/7/365
Posts: 3,589
I was in Addis twice last year, about average for me for the past decade or so. Usually on a few day layover to/from Mogadishu or elsewhere in Somalia. I like the Ghion Hotel - very central and not the gilded edifice that is the Sheraton*. (The Hilton, one road over is a little more...humble.) I don't often eat in restaurants - beyond my budget for the most part - but my (local) co-workers often have group dinners at Yod Abyssinia; it's pretty welcoming/easy, without being totally touristy.
The National Museum is about the only leisure thing I have had time for, plus several churches and mosques you will see while walking.
* Rumor is that it was "fancy-ed" up for Hilary Clinton during her First Lady days.
The National Museum is about the only leisure thing I have had time for, plus several churches and mosques you will see while walking.
* Rumor is that it was "fancy-ed" up for Hilary Clinton during her First Lady days.
Aug 2, 2016 | 7:33 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Atlantic Canada
Posts: 130
Hi. Not sure how much you want to do really as this one is a bit of a trek East but if you can manage it Harar is worth a visit. I did it last year, and I recall it being about 240 miles or so, a real step back in time and some great hospitality. I think there is a train but it doesn't go to Harar but somewhere nearby.
I had a guide and we drove, as I had some business there, but managed to get in the hyena feeding ritual and a bit of a poke around town. Old walled city but it's on the way to Somalia, for which I think you will need a bit of a sense of adventure.
In Addis I use the Sheraton or Raddison blu (for points). I'm there around November time too and want to visit the museums this time round in my free time.
Ethiopia has really come on in the last 19 years since the Derg, and is really becoming an economic powerhouse with the ruling socialist party's policy of reinvesting 70% of Government revenues into the country. If using Internet / sms, just be a little wary if sending sensitive information as communications (Goverment controlled / owned) are monitored...
Tipping is expected, not US crazy amounts but I do little and often, get small 1 and 5 Birr notes. Beware some of the money changers outside Addis. There are some rules about currency changing / exchange rates but I can't exactly recall what they were now. You can get a tourist VOA for about $50 which seems to be the going rate in parts of Africa these days, I get mine in advance as is for business.
Maybe buy Lonely Planet or something like that which would be a sound investment. Good luck and enjoy it.
I had a guide and we drove, as I had some business there, but managed to get in the hyena feeding ritual and a bit of a poke around town. Old walled city but it's on the way to Somalia, for which I think you will need a bit of a sense of adventure.
In Addis I use the Sheraton or Raddison blu (for points). I'm there around November time too and want to visit the museums this time round in my free time.
Ethiopia has really come on in the last 19 years since the Derg, and is really becoming an economic powerhouse with the ruling socialist party's policy of reinvesting 70% of Government revenues into the country. If using Internet / sms, just be a little wary if sending sensitive information as communications (Goverment controlled / owned) are monitored...
Tipping is expected, not US crazy amounts but I do little and often, get small 1 and 5 Birr notes. Beware some of the money changers outside Addis. There are some rules about currency changing / exchange rates but I can't exactly recall what they were now. You can get a tourist VOA for about $50 which seems to be the going rate in parts of Africa these days, I get mine in advance as is for business.
Maybe buy Lonely Planet or something like that which would be a sound investment. Good luck and enjoy it.
I also think Gondar will be a good place to go.
Thanks for the input.
Aug 2, 2016 | 7:34 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Atlantic Canada
Posts: 130
I was in Addis twice last year, about average for me for the past decade or so. Usually on a few day layover to/from Mogadishu or elsewhere in Somalia. I like the Ghion Hotel - very central and not the gilded edifice that is the Sheraton*. (The Hilton, one road over is a little more...humble.) I don't often eat in restaurants - beyond my budget for the most part - but my (local) co-workers often have group dinners at Yod Abyssinia; it's pretty welcoming/easy, without being totally touristy.
The National Museum is about the only leisure thing I have had time for, plus several churches and mosques you will see while walking.
* Rumor is that it was "fancy-ed" up for Hilary Clinton during her First Lady days.
The National Museum is about the only leisure thing I have had time for, plus several churches and mosques you will see while walking.
* Rumor is that it was "fancy-ed" up for Hilary Clinton during her First Lady days.
Aug 9, 2016 | 10:39 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: MEM
Programs: ::US,UA,CO+ currently non-rev Plat
Posts: 132
I've been twice. Once just to Addis and the other time I went overland via buses from Somaliland.
In Addis I agree Yod Abyssinia is a good restaurant. Mostly locals when I went. It wasn't expensive by our standards but it's a nice place for locals.
Beyond the piazzas and churches you see when walking around in Addis if you wanted to go on a day trip, head to Mount Zuqualla. I stumbled upon some wild ceremony at the monastery at the top of the mountain when I hiked up. If you get a driver it can be done easily in a day. Otherwise I'm sure buses run but it would take some effort.
Harar is an interesting visit but it's a bit of a trip via bus. I wouldn't plan to spend your entire trip just in Addis.
With 5 days you could visit the north. There are a bunch of places there I'd like to see the next time I go.
In Addis I agree Yod Abyssinia is a good restaurant. Mostly locals when I went. It wasn't expensive by our standards but it's a nice place for locals.
Beyond the piazzas and churches you see when walking around in Addis if you wanted to go on a day trip, head to Mount Zuqualla. I stumbled upon some wild ceremony at the monastery at the top of the mountain when I hiked up. If you get a driver it can be done easily in a day. Otherwise I'm sure buses run but it would take some effort.
Harar is an interesting visit but it's a bit of a trip via bus. I wouldn't plan to spend your entire trip just in Addis.
With 5 days you could visit the north. There are a bunch of places there I'd like to see the next time I go.