Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
NOK Hotel
( 0911-038578; r Birr100)
, hidden behind its namesake petrol station, is
unexpectedly decent.
Butajira
Located about 40km from Tiya is the town of Butajira. It comes too early to be a conveni-
ent overnight stop for most people journeying south, but if you're one of the exceptions,
the older, but well-maintained
Fikado Asore Hotel
( 0461-150443; d/tw Birr190/225;
)
is a popular pick from a surprisingly good selection of hotels. Minibuses run fre-
quently to/from Ziway (Birr15, one hour).
Lake Hare Sheitan
(Devil's Lake), marked by a green sign 9km south of Butajira (turn
east and look for the
tukul
on its rim 1km from the highway), is an incredible circular
crater lake with the rim soaring perhaps 150m above the deep-green waters. About 500m
beyond the lake, in a smaller, dry crater, is
Aynage Cave
. A friendly family moved in
after they lost their land and they enjoy visitors - for a small donation, of course. We were
even invited to spend the night. The vivid green hill across from the cave is Agode
Lobrera and it has a small lake at the top. The roadside sign also indicates
Asano Stelae
,
but it's really 11km south at
Asano village
and is hardly worth a stop.
Hosaina
After the lake, the Hosaina road passes numerous nondescript small towns and then
climbs to Hosaina, which feels like it was thrown together overnight. Travellers rarely
stop here. Currently the best, though not quietest, lodging is
Lemma International Hotel
( 0465-554453; d Birr150-210, tw Birr260; )
alongside the bus station. It has
billiards tables, a sauna (per hour Birr70), a good restaurant and scenic views from front-
facing rooms. The nearby Dashen Bank has an ATM.
The road drops out of Hosaina past a noticeably large number of
Protestant churches
:
evangelical missionaries have been very successful here over the past decade. Eventually
the road climbs to Sodo.
