The Road from Bahir Dar to Lalibela

April 18 - With mixed feelings - sadness to leave Kuriftu Resort on Lake Tana and excitement to get to our next destination - we hit the road for a long (225 miles in 7 hours) drive northeast to Lalibela. We passed through some fairly remote areas, including the last 40 miles on a rough gravel road, but there was very little land untouched or unused. Farmers have cultivated nearly every accessible acre and there were several areas where logging was the local industry. 

CAUTION - BABOON CROSSING. Several times we encountered baboons crossing the road. They're surprisingly fast so the only photo I was able to get was this one - the south end of one going north. 

The typical homestead in this area consists of a two story house, bottom floor made of stone and top floor made of wood and straw, plus a round thatched roof hut for storage or animals. 

Or, just a simple round hut. 

We saw miles and miles of beautiful pasture land. Except for the thatched roof huts and numerous donkey carts, the landscape is very similar to Minnesota or Wisconsin. 

We made it - The Mountain View Hotel, Lalibela. 

This is the view from our hotel room. Really!  They should change the name to The VALLEY View Hotel.