Bahir Dar: Tis Isat Falls (Smoking fire)

On Saturday, we had the opportunity to hike to the Blue Nile Falls.  They are also called the Tis Isat Falls (which means smoking fire).  It was about a 45 minute drive southeast from Bahir Dar (35 km or 22 miles).

The entrance fee was (10 birr/adult) 75 cents.  They also sold ice cold water and hats.  Joel had forgotten his baseball cap so was happy to become the owner of his new (15 birr) $1 grass hat.

It seems the town is able to live off of tourism selling trinkets, cloth, hats, water, decorated gourds, etc.

John Coleman and his girls along with Demalash's family joined us in this venture.  After parking, we began our hike.  Rolf had Nadia in a pack on his back, I carried Sonia and Kalia limped a bit (from a leg injury).  We weren't sure what to expect but it was a fairly extensive hike over steep gravel and rock paths.

 

The biggest challenge was actually keeping clear of the animals and people who were returning home from a day at market.  As well, dozens of girls were selling trinkets and they were using every word of English they could think of to persuade us to buy. 

After 20 minutes of hiking, we reached a stone bridge apparently built at the command of Emperor Susenyos in 1626.

I took a rest stop with 6 children and had been wise enough to bring snacks along. Rolf and Joel continued on to the bridge which Joel later showed me.

Don't worry, there is an adult standing close at hand and the drop off looks closer than it actually was.

 Well the hike was worth it.  Really....I took this picture and though the lighting wasn't the greatest for pictures, the view was spectacular.  The Tis Isat Falls, which means 'smoking fire', is the second largest in Africa. It is virtually dry in June but at this time of the year it apparently has a 400 m length of  water coming over the edge.   We were also told that since 2003 a hydro-electric station has taken much of the flow out of the falls.   The falls are usually very empty.  It was a unique opportunity.

We didn't take many pictures (though I would have loved to) as our hands were full with children.  Snacks and water breaks became more important than photo shoots at the time.

I find the geography somewhat confusing and now I know why.   From Lake Tana, the Blue Nile flows for 800km within Ethiopia to meet the white Nile in Khartoum.   It then forms the great river that flows into Egypt and Sudan.  It is said that the Blue Nile contributes to 80% of the Nile flow.  What has been confusing is that the Blue Nile is actually called the Abbay river in Ethiopia.  I kept wondering which one was which and now I know. 

Rolf and Joel crossed this footbridge which was apparently pretty safe.  One can actually make a loop and take a boat back to the beginning.  Hopefully next time we can do this:) 

It was well worth the heat to see the sights but we were glad for the cooler temperature as we drove home. No a/c but the sun was setting. Kalia took a quick picture of a sugarcane field.