It was a short 30 minute flight from Lalibela to Gondar. We had learnt from the previous flight that bottled water is okay through security on domestic flights so we landed not thirsty.
The hotel met us at the airport, and we drove to the repetitively named Lodge du Chateau. The Lonely Planet had written about the firm beds and I think that's the reason we had chosen it back in July. It's a nice cosy place with very friendly staff. The washrooms are a bit basic, but the beds are definitely firm!
The hotel manager gave us a cheat sheet for Gondar with restaurant recommendations and the like. We wandered out for lunch, the first time that we had really travelled on this trip. In Uganda we went from resort to resort (that's sort of the nature of lodges in national parks - you don't really wander down the street for lunch :) ) and in Lalibela we were guided around everywhere. In Gondar it was the first time we were walking about a town. Gondar has a really nice vibe. It's at 2100m so the climate is very comfortable - it was about 22C during the day. Gondar is also a town on its own and not dependent on tourism, and there was very little hassling as we walked about.
We spent the afternoon exploring around the town centre. Had our shoes cleaned in the Piazza while watching the town go about. The shoe cleaning guy did a really good job - our shoes weren't looking that great after the dust in Lalibela. Stocked up on toiletries that were running low at the Best Supermarket.
Around dusk the power went and so we showered by flashlight and then walked over to the Master Chef for dinner. We had a hankering for pizza but the oven was electric and so we had the mixed grill instead, which was excellent. It was really nice in the restaurant lit by candlelight. The power came back on just before our food arrived, which was almost disappointing :). Food was excellent at the Master Chef, one of the best meals we've had so far in Ethiopia. All in all it was a nice relaxing day in Gondar.
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