Traditional farming techniques, Entoto Natural Park, Ethiopia
Gardener in the grounds of Emperor Menelik's palace
On our visit to Emperor Menelik‘s palace in Entoto Natural Park in Addis Ababa we were intrigued to see several gardeners in the grounds of the palace employing traditional farming techniques to harvest the hay growing there.
On several occasions we witnessed this kind of manual harvesting of the crops. In fact, our first encounter with hand sickles harvesting came as we were taxiing to the airport terminal only seconds after landing in Addis Ababa.
Ethiopia has no shortage of manual labourers, I guess. In reality, such intensive work is mandatory if locals are to survive.
Gardener in the grounds of Emperor Menelik's palace
Palace of Emperor Menelik, Entoto Natural Park, Ethiopia
Palace of Emperor Menelik II in Entoto Natural Park, Addis Ababa
On one of the days we spent in Addis Ababa last December we hire a local driver to take us to the Entoto Natural Park. This short, easy drive emerges at the top of one of the mountains overlooking the city. At 3200 metres altitude the view is spectacular – but only on a clear day. Fortunately for us there was very little pollution that day.
First we paid the small fee to have a guided tour of the museum dedicated to Emperor Menelik II. after that we walked around the magnificent Entoto Maryam Orthodox Church. Behind the church are the well-kept remains of the palace of the emperor, featured in the photos on this post.
Palace of Emperor Menelik II in Entoto Natural Park, Addis Ababa
Palace of Emperor Menelik II in Entoto Natural Park, Addis Ababa
Palace of Emperor Menelik II in Entoto Natural Park, Addis Ababa
Entoto Maryam Church, Mount Entoto, Addis Ababa
Entoto Maryam Church, Mount Entoto, Addis Ababa
On our trip to the top of Mount Entoto near Addis Ababa our driver stopped at the magnificent Entoto Maryam Church, shown in the photos on today’s post. This Ethiopian Orthodox Church was built in 1876 by Emperor Menelik II. His palace is on the same grounds; I will show photos of the palace and grounds in coming posts on this site.
Also of interest nearby is the Emperor Menelik Museum.
Entoto Maryam Church, Mount Entoto, Addis Ababa
Entoto Maryam Church, Mount Entoto, Addis Ababa
Kiddus Raguel Church, Mount Entoto, Addis Abba, Ethiopia
Kiddus Raguel Church, Mount Entoto, Addis Ababa
During our visit last December to Ethiopia, we employed a driver for the day who took us to Entoto Natural Park, at 3200 metres it’s the highest point near the capital Addis Ababa. On this drive we were taken past the Kiddus Raguel Church near the top of the mountain. It seemed not to be open for visitors so I have no close up photos. There doesn’t seem to be much information online about this church, only that there is a very old rock-hewn church near the newer building shown in the photo above.
As we left this spot we had fine panoramic views across the nearby farming land near the Entoto Natural Park, shown in the photo below.
Near Mount Entoto, Addis Ababa
Scenes of Mannum and the Murray River, South Australia
Murray River, Mannum, South Australia
Mannum is a small river town less than a half hour drive from my home. It is on the banks of the Murray River and has a long history dating back to the paddle steamer era in the late 1800s when Mannum was an important river trade port. The local museum bears testimony to this important element of South Australia’s history.
We enjoy our visits and love relaxing in Mary Ann Reserve where these photos were taken.
Silver Gull and the Murray River, Mannum, South Australia
Murray River, Mannum, South Australia