Northern Ethiopia - Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somaliland - page 150

3 Debre Maryam B3

4 Dega Estefanos B2

Entos Eyesu (see 7)

5 Galila B1

6 Guzara Castle C1

7 Kebran Gabriel B3

8 Mandaba Medhane Alem B1

9 Martyrs Memorial Monument B3

10 Mitsele Fasiladas C2

11 Mussolini's Stele B1

12 Narga Selassie B2

13 Outlet of the Blue Nile B3

14 Palace of Haile Selassie B3

15 Portugese Cathedral B1

16 Susenyos' Old Palace B1

17 Tana Cherkos C2

Tekla Haimanot (see 18)

18 Ura Kidane Meret B3

Zeghie Satekela Museum (see 18)

Although it's possible to see all the monasteries over several long days, you'll likely
have had your fill after just one day; especially considering that each church charges entry
and they don't look all that different from each other. Women can visit all but a few of the
monasteries. If visiting those on the Zege Peninsula, you'll be required to take a local
guide (Birr90 per group of one to three people, Birr110 per group of four to 10). Generally
speaking they're among the most annoying guides in Ethiopia.
All the stated journey times are for a one-way trip from Bahir Dar in a 25HP fibreglass
speedboat. Metal boats are cheaper, but slower. See Getting Around ( Click here ) for
boat-hire information. The northernmost monasteries at Gorgora are covered later ( Click
here ) .

ZEGE PENINSULA
Walking between the monasteries on this forested peninsula, full of birds and vervet mon-
keys, is an enjoyable way to spend half a day. Better, in our opinion, than spending long
hours sitting in a boat visiting distant islands. It's about 40 minutes from Bahir Dar, and
most people only visit the four monasteries near the shore. Most paintings are from the
18th century or later; not the 14th like the guides will tell you.