Monday, March 31, 2014
Sunday, March 30, 2014
SLC to Houston
The first leg of our flight was uneventful! We left home at 4:00 AM and our flight left at 6:15 AM on schedule. I started reading a new novel by Gillian Flynn of Gone Girl fame. The title is Dark Places...it promises to be fast paced and suspenseful and not a little creepy....perfect for an upcoming 9 hour 45 minute flight to Germany.
Brian watched the inflight movie "Nebraska" which he said was slow and boring. Luckily he was able to further entertain himself with "bejeweled" and crossword puzzles.
We did snap a selfie just before take off. (Note the guy behind us just between our heads...HA!)
We are so excited!!!!! This is the day that we have waited for so long.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Flight Itinerary
Depart Lake City at 6:21 AM on 3/30 Arrive Houston at 10:18 AM (5 1/2 hour layover-ugh!)
Depart Houston at 3:50 PM Arrive Frankfurt at 8:35 AM on 3/31 (2 hour layover)
Depart Frankfurt at 10:25 AM Arrive Jeddah at 5 PM (1 hour layover)
Depart Jeddah at 6:05 PM Arrive Addis Ababa 8:50 PM on Monday 3/31/14
We will have the amazing joy of meeting our little girl the next Morning Tuesday 4/1 at 10 AM.
Our Court Hearing to finalize our adoption with the Ethiopian government is on Thursday 4/3 at 9 AM.
Ethiopia is 9 hours ahead of us, so 9 AM in Ethiopia will be 12 Midnight 4/2 here in Utah.
Friday, March 28, 2014
Travel Tips
Here are the top ten
# 10 Bring melatonin to help you sleep
# 9 Buy water bottles with filters in them from the LDS distribution center, and don't eat fresh produce
# 8 Get a bassinet from the airline for the 30 hour return flight with your new little girl
# 7 Bring ginger snaps on that flight in case your little girl gets motion sick on the flight
# 6 Download drawing apps and children's games and movie apps to entertain your little girl on that aforementioned 30 hour flight
# 5 Bring a complete change of clothes in your carry on luggage in case your checked luggage is late in arriving
# 4 Obtain only hundred dollar bills printed in 2006 or later for the greatest ease in getting Ethiopian banks to exchange them into birr (ethiopian currency)
# 3 If new little girl cries ontinuously on the aforementioned 30 hour flight from Ethiopia to Utah explain your adoption story to those sitting near you in hopes that they will be more sympthetic (Hope you sit next to grandparents!)
# 2 In Harar where there are domesticated hyenas, don't personally engage in letting the hyenas eat of out your mouth!
# 1 Best travel tip so far!!!! during your layover in Saudia Arabia don't take a taxis to downtown Jeddah without donning a burka (OK, maybe a scarf will do!)
We aren't leaving for another day, so please text or email or leave a comment if you think of anything else!!!
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Travel Itinerary in Ethiopia
16 Days East & North Ethiopia
Prepared for Carrie & Brian Murphy
Day 1: Saturday April 5, 2014
Early morning, transfer to airport for flight to Dire Dawa (08:00). In Dire Dawa, you will be met at the airport and will transfer to Harar. From Harar, take a drive to Babile and theValley of Marvels. The Valley of Marvels has wonderful landscapes, famous for its balancing rock formations. Additionally, the town of Babile has a very large market on Saturdays and a camel market on Mondays and Thursdays. After the visit, time permitting you may visit Koremi, a village made of stone houses set on top of a plateau. Afterwards, return to Harar for overnight at Heritage Plaza Hotel.
Day 2: Sunday April 6, 2014
Today is a full day discovering the treasures hidden in the narrow alleyways of the walled city of Harar, with its colorful markets, countless mosques and shrines and unique Harari people and homes. Sites to visit include: the House of Rimbaud, Ras Tafari’s House, Ras Mekonnen’s Palace, the Harari National Cultural Center, and the tomb of Emir Nur, who built the famous Jugol, as the wall is known locally. At night you will visit the hyena man, who feeds the hyenas every night just outside the walls of the city. This tradition was started long ago to prevent these wild hyenas from hunting for food in the town. Guests are welcome, and encouraged, to feed the hyenas themselves. Overnight in Harar at Heritage Plaza Hotel.
Day 3: Monday April 7, 2014
In the morning, visit the last places of interest in Harar before departing to Dire Dawa.You will have a brief visit to the lively market at Kefira before transferring to the airport for return flight to Addis Ababa (14:00).
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Day 1: Thursday April 10, 2014
Morning flight to Mekele (07:00). You will be met at the airport and will spend the day visiting various rock-hewn churches in the region including Michael Imba, Wukro Chirkos and Abreha we Atsbeha. Return to Mekele for overnight at Axum Hotel.
Day 2: Friday April 11, 2014
Early morning, depart from Mekele for Gheralta. This morning you can visit either Abuna Yemata Guh or Maryam Korkor. Both churches involve a challenging one-hour hike, but the views from their locations are stunning. After the visit, depart from the Gheralta region to Axum. On the way you will visit Yeha, dating from the 8th to 5thcenturies BC, and thought to be the capital of Ethiopian civilization before Axum. Proceed to Axum for overnight at Sabean International Hotel.
Day 3: Saturday April 12, 2014
Full day visiting Axum, including the famous obelisks (one that was recently erected after being returned from Italy) and the archeological museum, the Queen of Sheba’s Bath (which supplies water to Axum year-round), Ezana’s enscription, King Kaleb’s tomb, King Bazen’s tomb, and the Queen of Sheba’s Palace. You can also visit the St. Mary of Zion church, where the Ark of the Covenant is kept. Men only are allowed to enter the old church. Unfortunately, no one (except one specially chosen guardian monk) is allowed to enter the chapel where the Ark is kept. Overnight in Axum at Sabean International Hotel. At night you will enjoy the colorful Palm Sunday celebration.
Day 4: Sunday April 13, 2014
After breakfast, depart from Axum to the Simien Mountains, passing through the stunning Tekeze Valley. Overnight in the Simien Mountains at the Simien Lodge.
Day 5: Monday April 14, 2014
Full day in the Simien Mountain for scenery and wildlife viewing. In the morning, depart for Sankober. From here you will go for an easy hike to the Geech Abyss, where you will see a large waterfall where the Jinbar River plunges into the abyss. You will have a picnic lunch (packed from the lodge) and then drive to Chenek, where you will have opportunities to admire the local wildlife, such as the gelada baboons, lammergeyers, and the rare endemic Walia ibex. Overnight in the Simien Mountains at the Simien Lodge.
Day 6: Tuesday April 15, 2014
Depart for Gondar. On the way you will stop to visit the Ploughshare Women’s Training Center to see how women practice their trade. Continue to Gondar for a visit to the sites,including the Royal Enclosure, with six castles and several other buildings. Additionally, visit Fasilidas’s Pool, still used for Timket celebrations today, Ras Gimb Palace Museum, Kuskuam and the Debre Birhan Selassie church, with the most famous ceiling in Ethiopia. Overnight in Gondar at Taye Hotel.
Day 7: Wednesday April 16, 2014
In the morning, visit any sites of Gondar not seen the previous day before departing south to Bahir Dar. In the afternoon, take a drive to the Blue Nile Falls for a short hike in the area. Overnight in Bahir Dar at Kuriftu Resort & Spa.
Day 8: Thursday April 17, 2014
After breakfast, take a boat trip on Lake Tana to visit a selection of the monasteries hidden on the islands and shores of this sacred lake. Visit the Zege Penninsula and the monasteries of Azuwa Maryam and Ura Kidane Mehret and the island monastery of Debre Maryam near the outlet of the Blue Nile River. In the afternoon, take a city tour including a drive up to Bezawit Hill overlooking the outlet of the Blue Nile River. Finish the day with the sunset over the lake. Overnight in Bahir Dar at Kuriftu Resort & Spa.
Day 9: Friday April 18, 2014
Full day driving Bahir Dar to Lalibela, passing through the Guna Mountains. Overnight in Lalibela at Mountain View Hotel.
Day 10: Saturday April 19, 2014
In the morning, start your tour of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, visiting the Northwestern Cluster of churches - Bet Medhane Alem, Bet Maryam, Bet Meskel, Bet Danaghel, Bet Mikael & Bet Golgotha (entry not permitted for women). After lunch, continue with the Southeastern Cluster of churches – Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Bet Merkorios, Bet Amanual, and Bet Abba Libanos. Finally, you will visit the most famous of all the churches – Bet Giyorgis, constructed in honor of the patron saint of Ethiopia – Saint George. Today you can also visit the lively Saturday market, which is sure to be even busier today in anticipation of the Easter celebration. Overnight in Lalibela at Mountain View Hotel.
Day 11: Sunday April 20, 2014
After breakfast, depart from Lalibela to Kombolcha via Woldia. On the way you will stop for a rest in Hayk where you can enjoy the views of this stunning lake, visit the local monastery (open for men only) and enjoy the birdlife. Overnight in Kombolcha at Sunnyside Hotel.
Day 12: Monday April 21, 2014
Return driving to Addis via Debre Birhan. On the way you pass the Mezezo Escarpment, with a good chance to see the endemic gelada baboons. If today is a Sunday, you can stop in the town of Senbete to visit the lively market including the interesting camel market.
Monday, March 24, 2014
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