Bahir Dar, Ethiopia - The Blue Nile, the palace of Emperor Fasilidas and the imposing Simien Mountains are a few of the grand attractions that Ethiopia's northern Amhara Region has to amaze visitors. Even experienced travellers are often unaware that Ethiopia, one of the world's most impoverished countries, is home to a wealth of natural and cultural treasures.
You won't find safaris with lions or giraffes here, but you will discover a culture that stretches back thousands of years.
Our plane approaches Bahir Dar when suddenly a marsh landscape appears on the horizon.
This wetland in Ethiopia's highlands is so large and expansive it resembles a sea.
It's also the location of Lake Tana, which covers an area of 3,600 square kilometres, and is the largest lake in Ethiopia.
Coming from the relatively cool climate of the Addis Ababa, the regional capital of Bahir Dar is comparatively warm and exudes a calm and relaxed atmosphere.
That laidback mood is reflected in Hotel Tana's garden where waves from the lake lap against the shore.
Papyrus reed boats glide over the lake and colourful birds sing in the trees.
Travellers can take a motorboat to the many islands dotted across the lake. Some are home to monks living in almost total seclusion.
Travelling in this spiritual place is like a journey back in time to the fourteenth century. Hardly anything here reminds you of the twenty-first century.
Debre Maryam, Narga Selassie and Beta Giorgis are just a few names of the monasteries and churches.
Some of them have well preserved and partially restored wall paintings and small treasure coves where precious crowns, robes and Coptic crucifixes are stored.
The impressive monasteries of Dega Estefanos and Kebran Gabriel, however, are only accessible to men.
Another site worth visiting is the Blue Nile Falls which originates at Lake Tana.
From here, the river begins its long journey to Khartoum in Sudan where it joins the White Nile before flowing into the Mediterranean.
About 30 kilometres from its source, the Blue Nile plunges into a canyon. In the rainy season, the waterfalls can be up to 400 metres wide and 45 metres high.
The four-hour journey from Bahir Dar to Gondar, the former capital of Ethiopia, can be done by plane, but the visitor sees more of the highlands in Amhara by going overland.
Gondar's landmark is the seventeenth century palace of Emperor Fasilidas.
The entire complex covers about 7,000 square metres and is surrounded by a wide wall and inside are seven large buildings.
In the city, and especially at the marketplace, visitors get an impression of how lively this historical place can be.
Donkey carts bearing heavy loads and small mopeds pulling rickshaws crowd the streets.
The best way to top off a journey to Amhara is by visiting the Simien Mountains where you can go on trekking trips through the national park.
You are bound to glimpse gelada baboons, walia ibexes and Simien foxes here.
It's also the location of Ethiopia's highest mountain, the 4,620 metre Ras Dashen.
Internet: www.tourismethiopia.org
