Discover Ethiopia 10th October 2010

Hi Rosie

I did this trip in 2007 and it was fab. Great group of people & the guide was excellent. I would advise taking some snacks (cereal bars) as the Jamie Oliver treatment hasn't quite reached Ethiopia yet - lots of very overdone pasta in the hotels, but I would recommend trying the local dishes as they were much better. I think we all had the odd bout of dodgy stomach, but nothing imodium and starving yourself for 24 hours didn't sort. You can buy bottled water, lemonade everywhere.

Lalibela is gorgeous. Ask your guide to point you in the direction of the artist who runs a little studio there. I've got one of his pictures framed on the wall opposite me & it still reminds me of a great trip. Lots of memory / batteries for the camera needed.

 Have fun!

Hi Rosie,

            I am also going on this trip and really looking forward to it. It's also my first Exodus trip. I've been lucky enough to visit various parts of Africa in the past but never been to Ethiopia. I'm sure we will have a brilliant trip.

Sarah, what did you do about Malaria?  I had quite a bad reaction last time I took the tablets.

Rosie

Hi Rosie

I did take tablets - larium - but I've had them on a number of Africa trips before and apart from some very vivid dreams I'm not too bad on them. It was a bit hit and miss with my local GP's surgery as to whether or not I should be taking them as not needed in all areas of Ethiopia, but I preferred to go with than without. Would have liked the cholera jab as it is supposed to protect against stomach upsets, but couldn't get it at that surgery.

I was a bit of a pincushion before this trip is memory serves me right - don't you need yellow fever as well?

Worth the pain!

Sarah

Hi!  I'm from Canada and will be joining you on the plane in London!  This is going to be my first trip with Exodus but not the first to Africa- have been to Morocco, Egypt and Kenya.  Really looking forward to the trip and especially Lalibela.  Also looking forward to meeting my fellow travellers - that's always a lot of fun!!

Thanks for getting in touch, looking forward to meeting you, it won't be long now.....now where's that rucksack???

Rosemary 

The following vacinations are recommended: yellow fever, hepatitis A, typhoid, meningococcusm, polio (one-time booster), hepatitus B, rabies (we will spend a lot of time outdoors; however, the shots are extremely expensive), two doses of MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) if born after 1956, TDAP (tetaus and diptheria is recommended, whooping cough is included) is recommended every 10 years.

Malaria: Lariam (mefloquine), malarone (atovaquon/proguanil), or doxycycline is recommended for all areas except Addis Ababa and altitudes above 2000 meters (6561 fee). Personally, I take Malarone.

You should also take an insert repellent with Deet. I use 30% Deet.

Finally, you can either buy insect shield clothing, which lasts about 70 washings, or spray your clothing (everything, including socks and hat) with Permethrin, which lasts about 6 washings. You can also spay your mattress with Permethrin if you are concerned about bed bugs. Finally, I am bringing a mosquito net to cover my head -- I hope that I won't have to use it!

 

Ron

I will arrive at the Ghion Hotel a little after noon on October 10 and leave ADD at 7:35PM on October 25. Anyone for a walk around town on either date?

Ron

My son and daughter in law went to Ethiopia in September and had a fantastic time. Their only additional advice was to protect against human flies. It was particularly bad in the churches were there were carpets on the floor. Check that your insect repellent will work against human flies. Really excited about the trip, which is my first with Exodus. Dougie

Hi Ron I'll be arriving in Addis on 9 October and staying until 7 November. I'm booked on the TYE Simien Mountains Trek - but have no fix plans for the rest of my stay. I'll be staying before and after the trip at M N International Hotel, Haile Gebreselassie Avenue (00252 11 6620831). Sure would be great to meet for a walk around town. Till soon Best regards Claudia

Claudia: I'm jealous of your Simien Mountains trek! I gather than the Ghion isn't much of a hotel, but it seems to be closer to tourist sites than the MN International. I'm on Emirates 723 from DXB, arriving on 10/10/10 at 11:30AM. I don't know how long it will take to get my visa and then get to the hotel. Let's meet at the Ghion around 1:15PM. The Ghion is on Ras Desta Damtew Street (near Meskal Square) and its phone number is +251-1-51 3222. Since you'll arrive a day before me, I'm counting on you knowing where to go for lunch. I can be reached at ronaldglantz@gmail.com. Ron

Hi Ron Good plan - see you at Ghion's at around 1.15pm. Have a safe trip and best regards Claudia

So that we don't duplicate the Exodus-led tours of Addis. I propose going to the Mercato then walking back, possibly seeing St. George's Cathedral, Haile Selassie's Grand Palace, Menelik II square, etc. You know what I look like, but I don't know how to identify you, so I'm counting on your either seeing me when I check in (if I don't get to the hotel before 1:15PM) or calling my room when you arrive. Ron

Hi, gang - Thought I was joining you guys in London for the flight to Addis, but I am going through Rome! I arrive in Addis on Sunday night at 7, so who knows when I will get to the hotel. But maybe some of you early birds like me might want to meet at the hotel for a drink that night - if the hotel has a bar!! Looking forward to meeting you all and starting this grand adventure!! Wendy

Hi Ron: No problem - I'll make sure to wait in the lobby and to tell the person your hotel's check in that I'm waiting for you. I'm sure we'll meet eventually ;-) Wendy: Are you also staying at the Exodus hotel M N International? If so, it be great to meet for a drink on Sunday evening. If there is no bar, I might leave a message to tell you what other place I'll be at. To all: Have a safe travel to Ethiopia. Cheers Claudia