Asmara > Adi Zemat > Adi Qe Eritrea - February 08 2017

 

At 8:00 I am at the Oasis office. Dawit is on time. I express compliments. In Eritrea it is not unusual that one is a little bit later. Dawit says he would rather start earlier than later. There is a chance of rain, which may cause the trip through the mountains to become more dangerous on a slippery surface.

To prevent loss of valuable time, we take a taxi to Bloko Godaif. It is a mini bus hub with a large number of mini buses that serve the villages south of Asmara. The van for our destination is about to leave. Unfortunately, there is only one seat available. Therefore, we will have to wait for the next bus to leave.

Because that may take a while, Dawit asks me to walk back with him to the road to Mendefera. Dawit is speculating on a private car for the ten kilometers to Selae Da'ero. It's worth trying. After a while, and a zero result we return to Bloko Godaif. With the mini bus we drive a mile or ten to the south. Just after the TMT Hotel, we get out to start our walk to Adi Zemat.

The first part of the hike is not very spectacular, but after a few kilometers the landscape changes into beautiful sceneries. Every once and a while Dawit points to the tropical birds, to small  animals on the ground, or to some pieces of animal shit indicating the presence hyena's or other wild animals. The hyena's will hunt at night. No need to worry, Dawit explains.

There is a small risk of snakes and other reptiles in this area, so I have to watch my steps. In Adi Zemat we even spot a lot of baboons. While I try to picture them, boys throw stones to scare the animals away.

Dawit points to the basalt formations that stretch from Asmara in Eritrea to Tigray in Ethiopia, and used to be a guide for the Axumite trade caravans. The basaltic line in Adi Zemat is an extension of the line I visited in November 2009 with Mr. Tekeste in Asmara's Martyr Park in Kahawta.

In one of the Adi Zemat hidmo's we are invited to drink tea. I leave a small gift to reward the hospitality.

Dawit takes some scaring short cuts to Adi Qe that pass gorges and slippery rocks. But he knows what he is doing, by showing me where I have to put my feet for the next step, or holding my hand to prevent me slipping away.

In Adi Qe, a very small vilage in the mountains, we have some rest in the compound of an Orthodox church. The site also hosts a small monastery with five nuns living in two small hidmo's.

Around 14:00 we are back in Adi Guadad for a coca cola stop in a small shop that also serves as a bar.

 

08:35 Mini bus to Selae Da'ero - Bloko Godaif Asmara Eritrea.

09:45 Girl carrying firewood - Road to Adi Zemat Eritrea.

09:45 Farmer tending his cattle - Road to Adi Zemat Eritrea.

10:15 Local scenery - Adi Zemat Eritrea.

10:20 Local scenery - Adi Zemat Eritrea.

10:25 Local scenery - Adi Zemat Eritrea.

10:35 Basalt rocks connecting Asmara with Tigray. - Adi Zemat Eritrea.

10:35 Baboons resting on the rocks - Adi Zemat Eritrea.

 

10:40 Hidmo (traditional house). - Adi Zemat Eritrea.

10:45 Orthodox Church - Adi Zemat Eritrea.

11:30 Rural scenery - Adi Zemat Eritrea.

11:30 Donkey carrying firewood - Road to Adi Qe Eritrea.

11:35 Shortcut to Adi Qe - Adi Zemat Eritrea.

11:50 Shortcut to Adi Qe - Adi Zemat Eritrea.

11:55 Shortcut to Adi Qe - Adi Zemat Eritrea.

12:10 Shortcut to Adi Qe - Adi Zemat Eritrea.

12:15 Shortcut to Adi Qe - Adi Zemat Eritrea.

12:15 Small reptile - Adi Zemat Eritrea.

12:20 Dawit Berhane / Shortcut to Adi Qe Eritrea.

12:40 Orthodox Church - Adi Qe Eritrea.

12:50 Sisters housing - Adi Qe Eritrea.

12:50 Road to Adi Guadad - Adi Qe Eritrea.

13:05 Road to Adi Guadad - Adi Qe Eritrea.

13:50 Road to Asmara - Adi Guadad Eritrea.

This hike was prepared by Dawit Berhane.

Dawit Berhane  P.O. Box 5368 Asmara Eritrea Mobile +2917 254230 dawitray1@gmail.com

Guided tours in Asmara area.