In the Danakil depression

Convoy

I, Melachi ibn Amillar, being of unsound mind and body, did visit the Danakil depression, in Ethiopia on the Eritreian border, on a 4-day trip with ETT, booked (for $500, after some discussion) from Ephraim at the Africa Hotel in Axum, including "free" minibus transfer from there to Mekele. I wouldn't go on this trip again if you paid me $500, because the climb to the top of the volcano in the dark was really rather tiring and only fit for the young, or experienced trekkers, not helped by Alfar guides saying "let's go" whenever I tried to have a rest on the way down. The facilities everywhere were very basic, including two (surprisingly pleasant) nights under the stars. However the driver (Sirak) and guide (Solomon) and the cook were all very good. This was just as well as I confess I booked this trip mainly to get away with some other tourists from assorted beggars, chancers, children and dogs who were making the country rather tiresome, and so was surprised to find myself alone in the 'zero' landcruiser with these fellows, from time to time augmented by 2 guards with AK47s. Indeed security was plentiful, with half a dozen soldiers on top of the mountain, and another camp
being at a military base. The landscapes -- the volcano itself, the desert, camel salt caravans and sulphur fields -- were wondrous strange.

Cook (in green)

Strange