Mount Wenchi

While staying in Addis, we also took a day trip to Mount Wenchi via Ambo. The districts of Wenchi and Cheliya--where Ambo is situated and where the twins are from--are also farming districts. Various crops are grown here, and it surprised us to learn that flowers are one of them. Apparently Ethiopia grows a large portion of the flowers sold in--get this--Holland. That's right. Those famous Dutch flowers you bought on your last European vacation may very well have been grown in Ethiopia. In the midst of all this farmland sits Wenchi, an extinct volcano now home to a gorgeous lake and an island monastery. If I were going to recommend one day trip to people visiting Addis, this would be it. Just a warning, though, that the hike up from the lake is a bit strenuous given the high elevation. If you're not in reasonable shape, perhaps don't plan to hike all the way down or arrange to hire a mule or horse from one of the locals to carry you. After your hike, you might want to enjoy a Coke with your guide. You'll feel like you've stepped right into one of those 1970s "I'd like to buy the world a Coke" commercials.