After very little sleep we were up for breakfast. 'This is Africa' is a phrase that was muttered often. The food was OK but to our palette, not particularly appetising! Gathering with the rest of the group at 7.30, we sorted ourselves into 8 groups of 4 to travel in the 4 x 4 cars. Rafael, our guide, didn't speak much English. We teamed up with Lynn and Colin from Isle of Sheppy. Lynn proved to be chatty but Colin to be quite moody over the week.

On the route out of Addis there were lots of basic shells of flats but none seemed to be finishing. The town seemed to be rather tired looking, despite a few new developments. As soon as we were out of the city the roadside showed what was to become a familiar sight - rectangular mud huts with metal or grass roof, people walking along the roadside, the women usually carrying water containers to be filled from the communal pipe, donkey-drawn carts plus cows and goats wandering wherever. No one seemed to be minding the animals but we were assured they all belonged to someone. The roads surfaces weren't too bad but we were glad to stretch our legs at a World Heritage site at Estelas de Tiya where there was a collection of ancient tombstones.  

Onwards to a leg stretch by Lake Ziway. A huge lake, but the water was a muddy brown owing to the sediment brought into the lake by streams. Lunch was at our hotel for the night, the Sabana beach resort. Set in the hills high above the lake, the views were wonderful. It was also our introduction to the amazing birdlife in Ethiopia. Colourful birds were everywhere. Lily, one of the group was extremely knowledgeable about birds and would always help with identification.

Pat decided to rest for the afternoon but the rest of us went to the Abiat/Shala Lakes national park. Here we wandered in the company of ostriches, warthogs and gazelles (as well as more birds) before driving to a viewpoint above both lakes. Here the vegetation reflected the arid conditions. How do people make a living, farming in these conditions? Sadly, Lake Shala is being drained as the alkaline water is being used to make soda water. The huge flock of flamingoes has left. Smiling children run alongside the cars as we make our way back to the hotel, where Pat and I fall shattered into bed soon after 8pm!!