I have been lucky enough to travel to some countries which not a lot of tourists visit, mainly for my work. I thought it would be a good idea to share these experiences with you guys. Let's start with Eritrea; some other countries that are on my list to be included in this series are: North Korea, Papua New Guinea, Somalia, South Sudan, Iraq and perhaps a few others.
So Eritrea then; you might know that it's close to Ethiopia, that there is / has been a war, that there is a dictatorial regime, and that there are many refugees trying to flee the country. No politics here in this blog though, just a few photos and a bit of history to give you an impression: it is a beautiful, diverse and mountainous country (cold in winter in Asmara!).
The Italians were in Eritrea in the late 1800's. Asmara, the capital, at 2,300 meters altitude, still oozes a lot of Italian atmosphere. People are going for a 'passeggiata' in the afternoon, drink their coffee, and there is still a lot of Italian-influenced architecture.
the cathedral of Asmara
The Italians developed the Eritrean Railway line from Asmara to Massawa in 1888; the railway was later dismantled by the British in World War II. Parts of the railway are still running, with steam (not steem) trains, and I took the train as well. I remember the traditional coffee ceremony on the train (great coffee), I also remember that we had a delay, as the train derailed a few times.
The British then expelled the Italians in the 1941 Battle of Keren, and took over the administration of the country. In the many wars the country has experienced, many buildings got destroyed and never repaired, like this one in Massawa on the coast, the old "Banco d'Italia".
Eritrea was federated with Ethiopia in 1950, and in the '60s a war was started between Eritrea and Ethiopia, which has still not been fully solved as we speak.
Let us hope there will be an agreeable peace treaty soon, now that the Ethiopian Government seems willing to discuss (see my post: https://steemit.com/travel/@ultrabiker/the-new-ethiopia).
photos: myself-ie-ish
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MTB back garden ride
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Crocodile providing MTB support
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My bike, Salsa Cutthroat
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Bench --- Lounger --- Table --- Wine glass holder
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Travel Resources for your trip to Eritrea
Recommended by TravelFeed
Flights: We recommend checking Kiwi.com to find the best and cheapest flights to Eritrea.
Accomodation: Explore the best places to stay in Eritrea on Booking.com, Agoda and Hostelworld.
Travel Insurance: Medical emergencies abroad can be pricey, but travel health insurance is not. We always use SafetyWing for affordable and reliable coverage.
Car Rental: For hassle-free car hiring, DiscoverCars is our trusted choice with a wide selection of vehicles.
Internet: Got an eSIM compatible phone? Airalo is perfect for reliable internet access during your trip. Just install it before you go, and you're set!
Day Trips & Tours: We recommend GetYourGuide for a variety of well-organized and enjoyable activities.
Travel Planner: Need a hand planning? Our free travel planner chatbot is your personal guide to Eritrea. Chat now.
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