The Indian Subcontinent
The Horn of Africa where you can stand the eerily quiet morning calmness of the high cliffs of the Simian mountains with only the sound of the wind to greet you while you gaze across the great rift in a profound solitude or sit in a highland field amongst her most famous inhabitants, the long-haired Gelda monkeys as they meander around you as if you were just another member of the troop. Plunge into some of the world’s most stunning dive sites in the world; tour spectacularly colorful reefs of the red sea, or swim alongside the gentle giant whale sharks in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Trek timidly around the steaming hydrothermal pools scattered across the eerie yellow, green smoking landscape of Danakil depression and feel like you have stepped onto an alien world. Sit huddled from the chill as you watch the surreal pyrotechnics of the Erta Ale volcano and her black lava lake with its iridescently red glowing cracks spidering webbing out like bolts lighting streaking up from the depths of hell itself. Feel the cool mists of the Blue Nile falls that billow up from its 150-foot drop as thick as smoke from a fire. Wonder through the rainforests of Filfil or take a cooling plunge into the pools and falls of Iskushubans arid, rocky, and utterly barren terrain.
The Horn of Africa possesses one of the most extreme ranges of environments on the African continent and possibly the world. From the lofty peaks of the Ras Dashen (4550 meters / 14,930 Ft) to the 515-foot deep Volcanic depression of Lac Asal. The Danakil Depression brings soaring desert temperatures of 118 F/ 48 C that contrast to the Semien mountains’ frigid temperatures, which can get down to 14 F / -10 C. Still, these extremes bring fantastic beauty and wonder.
And then there is the history, rich and ancient.
The Horn boasts one of the oldest kingdoms of our world and one of the richest. The Aksum empire (80 BC to AD 825) was the center of the spice trade routes and became wealthy from it, very wealthy. From the emperors and warriors of her past to her most famous citizen, the Queen of Sheba. The Horn of Africa has an ancient Christianity background that is, in fact, one of the world’s oldest Christians states going back thousands of years.
You can wander the ancient ruins of Aksum or run your fingers across the carved walls of the Rock Church of Lalibela. Meander the grounds of Fasil Ghebbi, a sprawling castle that can rival those of England or any of Egypt’s grand citadels.
If the less rural outing is more your speed, Addis Ababa or Djibouti can fill your needs.
And if you are lucky enough to be there for Timet, Maskel, L’indépendance de Djibouti, or any of the many other colorful and musically enhanced celebrations of the Horn of Africa, you can count yourself blessed.
The food of this region is world-renowned and unrivaled. Steeped in heavily spiced stews (wats) and simple yet exotically seasoned vegetables on a platter draped in a large sourdough flatbread called injera that doubles as your eating utensil. It is an experience not to be missed and to be cherished forever.
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Foods from The Indian Subcontinent
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