The road to Lalibela is one long scenic splendour. The main road – good asphalt, built and then rebuilt by the Chinese – carries more traffic on foot than we’ve seen, and it is pure torture. Once we got off the, the fun started. We even had time to stop for lunch at a viewpoint, with only two kids checking us out. It felt like a miracle.

Words cannot describe the world wonder that is Lalibela. We are awe-struck. The 12 churches in the complex are an absolute highlight of our trip. To imagine that this was created out of stone eight centuries ago, belies belief. Why doesn’t the broader public take note?

We are camping in a meadow with at least nine kinds of flowers. The staff at the posh Roha Hotel have kindly agreed to let us pitch our tent in their yard, and they’ve given us the key to the nearest room so that we can use the bathroom facilities. All first class, and it’s lovely to be in our tent again and sit around the campfire at night. A shower or two last night, with chanting from the nearby churches from midnight onwards. No wonder the priests were all asleep today during our visit.

My connectivity has been tip-top, and I’ve been working solidly, thanks to the BGAN from Globecomm. I’ve been spreading the gospel to other overlanders, and it seems that although Zippisat is a firm favourite, very few of them know about the BGAN. Thanks, Stephen Light!

On that note, it’s time to tell all our friends that we are thinking of them on a daily basis as we enjoy the going-away gifts: John en Deed se heuning (en Jannie se buff), Fanie en Erina se droeperskes, Elize en Kobus se bedruipsous van groen pampoenpitte, Joerie se droevrugte, pekanneute en amandels, Lida se gemmerkoekies, crunchies en beskuit, Charlene en Bertus se Turkish Delight (al die pad uit Istanbul), Andre en Nina se allsorts lekkers, Pierre en Nadine se skaaptjops, biltong en droewors, Aart en Coby se dompelkoker. Wens julle was almal hier!