Lalibela Airport (LLI) |
Ethiopian Airlines Fokker 50 at Lalibela |
Ethiopian Airports Enterprise |
Lalibela Airport |
Heading into town from the airport |
Turnoff for the road to Addis Ababa, 2 days away |
The road to Lalibela |
Village of thatched huts with the mountain of Ashetan Maryam |
Village outside Lalibela |
Rugged scenery near Lalibela |
Arriving in Lalibela |
Lalibela's new town reminded me of an Ethiopian version of an Austrian ski resort |
Passing through Lalibela's new town |
St. George Beer welcomes you to our Holy Land |
The road from the summit of Lalibela descending towards the churches |
People heading for a festival at St George church |
We declined to join the crowd... |
..and settled for a distant view on the way to the hotel |
Roha Hotel, Lalibela |
A round stone thatched hut typical of Lalibela |
Traditional huts, Lalibela |
Looks like poinsettia, Lalibela |
Older village area of Lalibela |
Pleasant place for lunch ... the terrace of the Seven Olives Hotel |
Traditional Ethiopian menu with descriptions |
Traditional menu, Seven Olives Hotel, Lalibela |
Axumite - a very sweet Ethiopian red wine |
Axumite Wine |
A plate of traditional Ethiopian "fasting" food - vegetarian dishes |
Another internet shack |
Large platter of "fasting" food, Seven Olives |
The Seven Olives puts out bird feeders around the patio |
xxx with a Mountain Thrush, Seven Olives |
The new UNESCO built covers to protect the churches, Lalibela |
Bet Medhane Alem, the largest of Lalibela's rock hews churches |
Monk, Lalibela |
Bet Medhane Alem, Lalibela |
Bet Medhane Alem - Savior of the World - 33.5 x 23.5 x 11.5m |
Many of the 34 outer columns are replacements |
Some of the original solid columns, Bet Medhane Alem |
Peeking into one of the many small niches carved into the rock |
One of many small caves and niches carved around the churches |
Window in the shape of the Stelae of Axum, Lalibela |
Rear facade of Bet Medhane Alem, 12th-13th C. |
Arcade of Bet Medhane Alem |
The churches were hewn out of solid rock to hide and protect them |
A side doorway, Lalibela |
Another Stele of Axum window |
Grain for baking holy bread drying in the sun, Lalibela |
Interior of Bet Medhane Alem, carved out of solid rock |
Interior, Bet Medhane Alem |
Priests in each church pose with their processional cross |
Ethiopian carpet in Bet Medhane Alem, Lalibela |
Vaulted ceiling, interior of Bet Medhane Alem church |
Ceiling, interior of the rock-hewn church Savior of the World, Lalibela |
Monk at the passageway to the second church |
Bet Maryam, the second church in the northwestern group |
Windows, Bet Maryam, Lalibela |
Windows in various forms, Bet Maryam |
Bet Maryam church, Lalibela |
Overgrown pool next to Bet Maryam |
Baptismal pool, Bet Maryam |
Swastika shaped window, Bet Maryam |
Entrance to Bet Maryam church, Lalibela |
Bet Maryam Church, Lalibela |
Bet Maryam Church, Lalibela |
Bet Maryam Church, Lalibela |
Interior of the tiny chapel Bet Meskel, north of Bet Maryam |
Ethiopian priests hats, Bet Meskel |
Bet Maryam Church, Lalibela |
Priest with processional corss of Bet Maryam, Lalibela |
The highly decorated interior of Bet Maryam, the most impressive in Lalibela |
Painted interior, Bet Maryam |
Intricately carved columns, arches and ceiling, Bet Maryam |
Sleepy priest, Bet Maryam |
Painting of 4 enthroned religious figures, Bet Maryam |
Double headed eagle, Bet Maryam, Lalibela |
Painted ceiling, Bet Maryam |
Painted figures, Bet Maryam, Lalibela |
Ethiopian icon, Bet Maryam |
Interior, Bet Maryam, Lalibela |
South entrance, Bet Maryam |
Southern facade, Bet Maryam |
Column, arches and ceiling, interior of Bet Danagehel, Lalibela |
Looking through the door of Bet Danaghel to Bet Maryam |
The ever popular St George, Bet Danaghel |
Priest of Bet Danaghel with processional cross |
The priests of Lalibela seem to enjoy posing for tourists...for a tip |
Processional cross, Bet Danaghel |
Doorway, Bet Danaghel, Lalibela |
Southwest view of Bet Maryam, Lalibela |
Carving of St George and the dragon, west facade, Bet Maryam |
Bet Maryam, Lalibela |
Keith, Lalibela |
Church bell, Lalibela |
Me, ringing the bell... |
West facade of Bet Maryam, Lalibela |
West facade of Bet Maryam, Lalibela |
Crawling through one of the small passages |
Rock hewn churches of Lalibela seen from surface by Bet Danaghel |
Bet Meskel, Lalibela |
Rock hewn church of Lalibela from surface level |
Bet Maryam, Lalibela |
Bet Maryam, Lalibela |
Bet Danaghel |
Bet Medhane Alem from the surface level |
Roof of Bet Medhane Alem, Lalibela |
Looking down on the east side of Bet Maryam, Lalibela |
WIndow in the shape of the stele of Axum, perfect for pigeons |
Modern tomb above the Lalibela churches |
Passageway leading to Bet Golgotha |
Me at Lalibela |
Keith, wrong continent! |
Passageway among the northwest churches |
Carved windows, Lalibela churches |
Entrance to Bet Golgotha and Bet Mikael |
Side cave with curtain, Lalibela |
Interior, Bet Mikael |
Interior, Bet Mikael Lalibela |
Carved relief figure, Bet Golgotha |
Carved relief figure, Bet Golgotha, Lalibela |
Bet Golgotha, Lalibela |
Carved relief figure, Bet Golgotha |
Priest, Bet Golgotha |
Priest with processional cross and walking stick of King Lalibela |
Carved relief figure, Bet Golgotha |
The shoe tender - full service, Lalibela |
Passage leading away from Bet Mikael |
Passageway, Lalibela NW group |
Doorways in the labyrinth of the northwest group of churches, Lalibela |
Original main entrance, Lalibela |
Me, main entrance, Lalibela |
Main entrance, Northwest group of churches, Lalibela |
Back in the village, Lalibela |
Typical Lalibela-style round stone hut |
Textiles for sale, Lalibela village |
Thatched huts, Lalibela |
Highlight of Lalibela - Bet Giyorgis, the Church of St. George |
Traditional village, Lalibela |
The hill of the Seven Olives (left) Lalibela |
Village, Lalibela |
The Church of St George, Bet Giyorgis, Lalibela |
Bet Giyorgis is the most famous of Lalibela's churches... |
...and probably the most famous site in Ethiopia |
Bet Giyorgis, a pure monolithic stone carved church, stands apart from the other churches |
Keith, Bet Giyorgis, Lalibela |
The Church of St George was the last of the rock hewn churches built in Lalibela |
Bet Giyorgis, built in the shape of a Greek cross, Lalibela |
Bet Giyorgis stands 15m tall |
Bet Giyorgis, Lalibela |
Bet Giyorgis, seen from the northwest, Lalibela |
I have to wonder how many people have fallen over the edge... |
Bet Giyorgis, Lalibela |
Bet Giyorgis, Lalibela |
The Holy Spring, Bet Giyorgis, Lalibela |
Bet Giyorgis, Lalibela, seen from the southwest |
Bet Giyorgis, Lalibela |
Window, Bet Giyorgis, Lalibela |
Church of St. George, Lalibela |
Bet Giyorgis, Lalibela, from the south |
Bet Giyorgis, Lalibela |
Bet Giyorgis, Lalibela |
Rough hewn entrance to a side cave |
The Sacred Spring, Lalibela |
Niche for the chanters, St. George |
Chanters' drums, Lalibela |
Bet Giyorgis, Lalibela |
Bet Giyorgis, Lalibela |
Bet Giyorgis, Lalibela |
Bet Giyorgis, Lalibela |
Church of St. George, Lalibela |
Mummified remains of pilgrims who died at Lalibela |
Mummies in a carved niche was of St George Church |
Priest with crosses, Bet Giyorgis |
Rather simple interior of Bet Giyorgis, Lalibela |
Shoe tender - entry level job at the Churches of Lalibela |
My "shoe attendant" Lalibela |
Mountain above Lalibela |
Ethiopian license plate - Oromia Region (OR) |
The Commerical Bank of Ethiopia - new since the 3rd Edition of the Lonely Planet |
Commerical Bank of Ethiopia, Lalibela |
Beauty salon, Lalibela |
Richard Barber, Lalibela |
Shops along the main commerical street, Lalibela |
Ethiopian license plate ET |
Stripped shell of a bus, Lalibela |
China Super Market Lalibela |
Old woman walking, Lalibela |
Megenagn "Hotel" Lalibela |
Blue Nile, Lalibela |
Beer O'Clock, Lalibela |
Lalibela |
Lalibela |
Obama t-shirt, Ethiopia |
Lalibela |
Rock-hewn churches outside Lalibela |
Village, Lalibela |
Ourdoor celebration, part of the festival we saw eariler this day |
I was a bit annoyed when the gate keeper wouldn't let us sit and watch for a while |
Lalibela |
An excursion on our own into the village west of the main road |
Woman preparing injera bread |
Freshly cooked injera bread, Lalibela |
Pouring the batter for another piece of injera |
Cover and late cook for about 10 minutes |
Kids in Lalibela |
Typical round house, Lalibela |
Preparing a giant vat of food for a wedding |
Stirring a vat of Ethiopian food prepared for a wedding |
Tibs waiting for the pot... |
Kids in Lalibela |
Askalech Tej House, Lalibela |
Askalech Tej House, Lalibela |
Askalech Tej House, dark interior |
Tej, honey wine, Lalibela |
Keith approving of the local Tej |
Soon, the traditional Ethiopian minstrels start |
...a group of about 15 Chinese comes in, takes pictures, don't order anything, then leave |
Keith dancing, Askalech Tej House, Lalibela |
Ethiopians again impressed with Keith's dancing |
...they got me dancing again! Lalibela |
I had my Tej in Axum, thanks! |
Ethiopian priests relaxing at the Tej house |
Ethiopian priests off-duty, Lalibela |
Tin shack - MKH Internet Cafe, Lalibela |
Obama Souvenir Shop - Lalibela |
The following morning passing the Obama souvenir shop again |
Lalibela |
Village huts, Lalibela |
Entrance to the southeastern group of rock-hewn churches, Lalibela |
Leading to the stone bridge to Bet Gabriel-Rufael |
Bet Gabriel-Rufael |
Looking across the dry moat to Bet Gabriel-Rufael |
The bridge to Bet Gabriel-Rufael, Lalibela |
This church may have earlier been a fortified palace in the 8th C. |
Chanters, Bet Gabrial, Lalibela |
We were lucky and came upon a group of chanters |
Bet Gabriel, Lalibela |
Bet Gabriel, Lalibela |
Blue-eyed Madonna and Child, Bet Gabriel |
Ancient Bible in a protective case, Bet Gabriel |
Chanters, Bet Gabriel, Lalibela |
Chanters, Bet Gabriel, Lalibela |
Bridge to Bet Gabriel |
Keith on the terrace of Bet Rufael |
Window, Bet Rufael |
Bet Rufael, Lalibela |
Back entrance, Bet Gabriel |
Rear of Bet Gabriel |
Preparing bread, Bet Gabriel |
Rear of Bet Gabriel |
Keith, Bet Gabriel |
Bet Gabriel, Lalibela |
Studded door, Lalibela |
Studded door, Lalibela |
Bakery, Lalibela |
Entrance to the passage leading to Bet Merkorios |
Entrance to the passage leading to Bet Merkorios |
Interior of the structure the guide called the bakery |
Long passage to Bet Merkorios |
Emerging from the long dark passageway |
Climbing up from the subterranean tunnel |
15th Century fresco of the 3 Wise Men, Bet Merkorios |
Fresco, Bet Merkorios, Lalibela |
Priest with processional cross, Bet Merkorios, Lalibela |
Bet Merkorios, Lalibela |
Ethiopian Saint Gebre Manfus Kiddus with lions and leopards |
Equestrian saint spearing a soldier, Bet Merkorios, Lalibela |
Bet Merkorios, Lalibela |
Back down in the tunnel |
Ethiopian time - 12 starts at 6 am |
Bet Amanuel, Lalibela |
Bet Amanuel, Lalibela |
Freestanding monolithic church, Bet Amanuel, Lalibela |
West entrance, Bet Amanuel, Lalibela |
Keith and I, Bet Amanuel |
Bet Amanuel, Lalibela |
Interior, Bet Amanuel, Lalibela |
Interior, Bet Amanuel, Lalibela |
Priest with processional crosses, Bet Amanuel, Lalibela |
Bet Amanuel, Lalibela |
Bet Amanuel, Lalibela |
Baptismal pool, Bet Amanuel, Lalibela |
Keith in the pool |
Cross shaped window, Bet Amanuel, Lalibela |
Priest emerging from a passage, Lalibela |
Narrow passage leading to Bet Abba Libanos |
Slit shaped passage, Lalibela |
Bet Abba Libanos, Lalibela |
Bet Abba Libanos, the last of the main churches in Lalibela |
Bet Abba Libanos, Lalibela |
Bet Abba Libanos, Lalibela |
Interior, Bet Abba Libanos, Lalibela |
Priest with processional crosses of Bet Abba Libanos, Lalibela |
Priest, Bet Abba Libanos, Lalibela |
Ethiopian saint |
Keith tries out a chanter's drum |
Storage niche, Lalibela |
Narrow passage, Lalibela |
Outer wall of the SE group of churches |
Huts of the monastery, Lalibela |
Traditional hut in the village, Lalibela |
Village, Lalibela |
EthiopiaJan09 3488.jpg |
Typical round hut, Lalibela |
Typical round hut, Lalibela |
Village hut, Lalibela |
Village hut, Lalibela |
Village near the churches of Lalibela |
Typical Lalibela village architecture |
Walking through the village, Lalibela |
Village, Lalibela |
Village, Lalibela |
Village, Lalibela |
Village, Lalibela |
Narrow alley through the village, Lalibela |
Grain drying in the sun, Lalibela |
Village, Lalibela |
The guide said those were hops |
Village, Lalibela |
Grain drying in front of huts in the village, Lalibela |
Village, Lalibela |
Spices used to give Ethiopian cuisine its hotness |
Village, Lalibela |
Various Ethiopian staples, Lalibela |
Village, Lalibela |
Large old tree, Lalibela |
Business Incubation Center, Lalibela |
Decoration bound for the top of a church |
St George Beer |
HIV project, Lalibela |
Tekeze Monatery Handicrafts, Lalibela |
Dibora Internet Cafe, Lalibela |
Bird feeders at the Seven Olives Hotel |
Ethiopian high school students walking home |
The after school rush, Lalibela |
Blue uniformed Ethiopian high school students, Lalibela |
Driving past Lalibela's new town |
Driving from Lalibela back to the airport |
NGO organization Plan in Kebele |
NGO Plan active around Lalibela |
The road to Lalibela Airport |
The bridge leading to Addis Ababa |
Village next to Lalibela Airport |
Every Ethiopian Airlines flight we took was on-time (or early) |
Walking out to the airplane, Lalibela |
Ethiopian Airlines Fokker 50 |