![The Blue Nile Falls are about a 30 minute drive southeast of Bahir Dar](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922223.I8AMGJAh.EthiopiaJan09048.jpg) The Blue Nile Falls are about a 30 minute drive southeast of Bahir Dar |
![Thatched hut outside Bahir Dar](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922225.IHLDDxqx.EthiopiaJan09051.jpg) Thatched hut outside Bahir Dar |
![A small procession for Timkat, the Ethiopian Epiphany holiday](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922228.4m0J4Tut.EthiopiaJan09054.jpg) A small procession for Timkat, the Ethiopian Epiphany holiday |
![Timkat procession outside Bahir Dar](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922230.ZaqDjT8e.EthiopiaJan09055.jpg) Timkat procession outside Bahir Dar |
![This is the first of many Timkat processions we'd see over the next three days](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922233.gu96A220.EthiopiaJan09057.jpg) This is the first of many Timkat processions we'd see over the next three days |
![Blue Nile Falls Tourist Information Center](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922235.wbmzCrc6.EthiopiaJan09058.jpg) Blue Nile Falls Tourist Information Center |
![Blue Nile Falls ticket prices](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922238.PXfESGKQ.EthiopiaJan09059.jpg) Blue Nile Falls ticket prices |
![There are a couple of small tourist shops near the ticket office](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922240.MR0YGAVy.EthiopiaJan09060.jpg) There are a couple of small tourist shops near the ticket office |
![Two young boys driving a mule cart](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922243.OwKNGAwb.EthiopiaJan09062.jpg) Two young boys driving a mule cart |
![There are two ways to get to the falls, walking or by boat - we opted to walk one way and take the boat back](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922245.R6b7YRgk.EthiopiaJan09065.jpg) There are two ways to get to the falls, walking or by boat - we opted to walk one way and take the boat back |
![Stone bridge over the Nile below the falls](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922248.2y4BJt3n.EthiopiaJan09067.jpg) Stone bridge over the Nile below the falls |
![Portuguese Bridge over the Blue Nile](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922250.JSjEfggf.EthiopiaJan09068.jpg) Portuguese Bridge over the Blue Nile |
![Stone bridge built by the Portuguese around 1620](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922253.bycbVL6r.EthiopiaJan09069.jpg) Stone bridge built by the Portuguese around 1620 |
![Keith at the Portuguese Bridge](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/109351053.7NJV8NnF.IMG_1931.jpg) Keith at the Portuguese Bridge |
![Portuguese Bridge over the Blue Nile](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922255.uxL2RyM9.EthiopiaJan09070.jpg) Portuguese Bridge over the Blue Nile |
![In the dry season, the Nile is very low with much of the water being diverted to the hydroelectric plant](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922258.BrUyQb9X.EthiopiaJan09073.jpg) In the dry season, the Nile is very low with much of the water being diverted to the hydroelectric plant |
![The Blue Nile passing through a narrow gorge](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922260.atmK3nzf.EthiopiaJan09074.jpg) The Blue Nile passing through a narrow gorge |
![View downstream from the Portuguese Bridge](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922262.TgjcTe6X.EthiopiaJan09076.jpg) View downstream from the Portuguese Bridge |
![I bet you could jump across the Nile here](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922263.U4ZsGxCd.EthiopiaJan09079.jpg) I bet you could jump across the Nile here |
![Portuguese Bridge](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922265.uISFTZCS.EthiopiaJan09083.jpg) Portuguese Bridge |
![Blue Nile downstream from the Portuguese Bridge](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922267.3CdXNHLG.EthiopiaJan09085.jpg) Blue Nile downstream from the Portuguese Bridge |
![Scenery along the 25-30 minute walk to the Blue Nile Falls overlook](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922269.LWeUDOHO.EthiopiaJan09087.jpg) Scenery along the 25-30 minute walk to the Blue Nile Falls overlook |
![Village along the walking path to the Blue Nile Falls](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922271.QkNvusWZ.EthiopiaJan09089.jpg) Village along the walking path to the Blue Nile Falls |
![Thatched Ethiopian hut](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922272.HyotWHzB.EthiopiaJan09090.jpg) Thatched Ethiopian hut |
![The kids here try and sell souvenirs to the tourist](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922273.D6rJ1Clq.EthiopiaJan09092.jpg) The kids here try and sell souvenirs to the tourist |
![Tree along the path to Blue Nile Falls](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922274.KE6r7uzq.EthiopiaJan09095.jpg) Tree along the path to Blue Nile Falls |
![A local boy staked out this spot](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922275.KxToCVB2.EthiopiaJan09096.jpg) A local boy staked out this spot |
![Ethiopia boy playing a washint, a traditional bamboo flute](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922276.JvzM2l1Z.EthiopiaJan09098.jpg) Ethiopia boy playing a washint, a traditional bamboo flute |
![The guide says he's always here](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922277.uXIuYNG8.EthiopiaJan09099.jpg) The guide says he's always here |
![Part of the Blue Nile Falls hydroelectric plant](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922278.LWIOTPht.EthiopiaJan09102.jpg) Part of the Blue Nile Falls hydroelectric plant |
![First view of the main falls](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922279.RXWGbDWM.EthiopiaJan09103.jpg) First view of the main falls |
![The impressive Blue Nile Falls are the second largest in Africa](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922280.nILzBL3Y.EthiopiaJan09104.jpg) The impressive Blue Nile Falls are the second largest in Africa |
![There are several minor cateracts](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922281.bCpWoST0.EthiopiaJan09108.jpg) There are several minor cateracts |
![Blue Nile Falls](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922283.RwDkvF2H.EthiopiaJan09111.jpg) Blue Nile Falls |
![Keith at the Blue Nile Falls](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922284.h8XSTKlu.EthiopiaJan09112.jpg) Keith at the Blue Nile Falls |
![People were always asking if we were brothers](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922286.VeMNwnwF.EthiopiaJan09114.jpg) People were always asking if we were brothers |
![Keith with the Blue Nile Falls](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/109351055.vnU5BKS5.IMG_1961.jpg) Keith with the Blue Nile Falls |
![Keith with the Blue Nile Falls](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/109351057.7cCf2tCa.IMG_1962.jpg) Keith with the Blue Nile Falls |
![Minor cateract, Blue Nile Falls](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922288.mKhcXxRY.EthiopiaJan09117.jpg) Minor cateract, Blue Nile Falls |
![Tree with Blue Nile Falls](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922291.ox8C7d5h.EthiopiaJan09118.jpg) Tree with Blue Nile Falls |
![The local name is Tis Issat - Smoking Water](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922293.v6ddOMfL.EthiopiaJan09119.jpg) The local name is Tis Issat - Smoking Water |
![The flow is much diminished since the construction of the hydroelectric plant in 2003, so not much Smoking Water now](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922295.Kfk5NMT8.EthiopiaJan09120.jpg) The flow is much diminished since the construction of the hydroelectric plant in 2003, so not much Smoking Water now |
![They say in the rainy season, the falls are up to 400m wide](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922297.rE5kNxNK.EthiopiaJan09121.jpg) They say in the rainy season, the falls are up to 400m wide |
![Blue Nile Falls](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922299.qKEjMfi6.EthiopiaJan09122.jpg) Blue Nile Falls |
![Blue Nile Falls Panorama](https://a4.pbase.com/g1/93/329493/2/108922221.455zXJco.jpg) Blue Nile Falls Panorama |
![It's worth doing the walking route because the boat people didn't get to this viewpoint](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922899.Mx5B51d2.EthiopiaJan09123.jpg) It's worth doing the walking route because the boat people didn't get to this viewpoint |
![Rainbow in the mist, Blue Nile Falls](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922900.ieqFK2lN.EthiopiaJan09128.jpg) Rainbow in the mist, Blue Nile Falls |
![I must say that at Victoria Falls there is so much mist, you can't see more than a small section of the falls](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922901.W4Bpfvi2.EthiopiaJan09143.jpg) I must say that at Victoria Falls there is so much mist, you can't see more than a small section of the falls |
![Blue Nile Falls, 30 km downstream from Lake Tana](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922902.Pz2DL6fP.EthiopiaJan09146.jpg) Blue Nile Falls, 30 km downstream from Lake Tana |
![From here, it's around 1000 miles to the confluence with the White Nile at Khartoum](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922903.vpmKZVmw.EthiopiaJan09147.jpg) From here, it's around 1000 miles to the confluence with the White Nile at Khartoum |
![The falls are around 45m high](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922904.Etiooqae.EthiopiaJan09148.jpg) The falls are around 45m high |
![Blue Nile Falls with rainbow](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922905.loNVVFDp.EthiopiaJan09149.jpg) Blue Nile Falls with rainbow |
![Tis Issat - the Blue Nile Falls](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922906.8HZhNBnO.EthiopiaJan09150.jpg) Tis Issat - the Blue Nile Falls |
![Blue Nile Falls with tree and rainbow](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922907.KkJepj5w.EthiopiaJan09151.jpg) Blue Nile Falls with tree and rainbow |
![Little Bee Eater (Merops pusillus)](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922908.gZiVNoR6.EthiopiaJan09154.jpg) Little Bee Eater (Merops pusillus) |
![From the viewpoint, we had to hike down to cross this small tributary](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922909.UEOXZ5Hb.EthiopiaJan09156.jpg) From the viewpoint, we had to hike down to cross this small tributary |
![Washing in the river](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922910.9z0yaKXz.EthiopiaJan09157.jpg) Washing in the river |
![I was lazy and didn't want to take my shoes off](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/109351058.deYqCEIN.IMG_1965.jpg) I was lazy and didn't want to take my shoes off |
![Ethiopians crossing ahead of us](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922911.moMjuvj7.EthiopiaJan09158.jpg) Ethiopians crossing ahead of us |
![Our guide Haile getting carried across](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922912.lV6CZMUh.EthiopiaJan09161.jpg) Our guide Haile getting carried across |
![Keith getting lent a hand crossing](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922913.rDjcBXyI.EthiopiaJan09162.jpg) Keith getting lent a hand crossing |
![Ethiopians are often seen carrying sticks](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922914.VqrTtzJ7.EthiopiaJan09164.jpg) Ethiopians are often seen carrying sticks |
![Ethiopian in traditional clothing](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922915.sDDux51A.EthiopiaJan09167.jpg) Ethiopian in traditional clothing |
![Local girls posing for the tourists](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922916.k7rigY8V.EthiopiaJan09169.jpg) Local girls posing for the tourists |
![Local kids near the Blue Nile Falls](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922917.ZRnCMb4T.EthiopiaJan09170.jpg) Local kids near the Blue Nile Falls |
![Two trees which have grown together](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922918.9FmInCfF.EthiopiaJan09171.jpg) Two trees which have grown together |
![Approaching the main falls](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922919.mcyF7jBa.EthiopiaJan09173.jpg) Approaching the main falls |
![Souvenirs for the tourists](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922920.xipFVRhY.EthiopiaJan09174.jpg) Souvenirs for the tourists |
![Blacked cooking vessels](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922921.qecYGvwe.EthiopiaJan09175.jpg) Blacked cooking vessels |
![Cattle heading to the water for a drink](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922922.55bDsoKs.EthiopiaJan09176.jpg) Cattle heading to the water for a drink |
![Cattle with the Blue Nile Falls](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922924.eiqlelbG.EthiopiaJan09177.jpg) Cattle with the Blue Nile Falls |
![Cattle with the Blue Nile Falls](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922925.YielILCw.EthiopiaJan09180.jpg) Cattle with the Blue Nile Falls |
![Hiking with the cows to the base of the Blue Nile Falls](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922926.TBLWlYS6.EthiopiaJan09181.jpg) Hiking with the cows to the base of the Blue Nile Falls |
![Herder with cattle, Blue Nile Falls](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922927.5a6lRZnS.EthiopiaJan09182.jpg) Herder with cattle, Blue Nile Falls |
![Herder and the falls guide, Blue Nile Falls](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922929.6FfL5YNz.EthiopiaJan09183.jpg) Herder and the falls guide, Blue Nile Falls |
![Any closer and I'd be in the mist](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922930.aINGAXoF.EthiopiaJan09187.jpg) Any closer and I'd be in the mist |
![Blue Nile Falls](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922931.T48ha3DD.EthiopiaJan09188.jpg) Blue Nile Falls |
![Small rapids in the Blue Nile above the falls](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922932.ifCyGypd.EthiopiaJan09191.jpg) Small rapids in the Blue Nile above the falls |
![Girl fetching water from the river](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922933.BSMiXfiA.EthiopiaJan09192.jpg) Girl fetching water from the river |
![Tree](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922935.mGP32gys.EthiopiaJan09193.jpg) Tree |
![Ethiopian girl, Blue Nile Falls](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922936.juMAHYsy.EthiopiaJan09194.jpg) Ethiopian girl, Blue Nile Falls |
![I was a bit surprised to see so many men with AK-47s](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922938.1YJH091O.EthiopiaJan09195.jpg) I was a bit surprised to see so many men with AK-47s |
![Making new benches for one of the Nile ferry boats](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922940.XTgzEyi3.EthiopiaJan09196.jpg) Making new benches for one of the Nile ferry boats |
![Pier near the boat landing, Blue Nile](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922942.E2P3Hb88.EthiopiaJan09197.jpg) Pier near the boat landing, Blue Nile |
![Ethiopian boy looking bored](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922943.5kp0lD6M.EthiopiaJan09198.jpg) Ethiopian boy looking bored |
![Boat on the Nile](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922944.7lpLDlWG.EthiopiaJan09199.jpg) Boat on the Nile |
![Blue Nile Falls boat landing](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/108922946.oyy0H8Tv.EthiopiaJan09202.jpg) Blue Nile Falls boat landing |
![On the ferry across the Nile](https://a4.pbase.com/o6/93/329493/1/109351059.oeGh3cxi.IMG_1972.jpg) On the ferry across the Nile |