{"id":2100,"date":"2011-08-15T03:21:26","date_gmt":"2011-08-15T06:21:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/?p=2100"},"modified":"2011-10-20T15:59:11","modified_gmt":"2011-10-20T18:59:11","slug":"top-5-reasons-to-cycle-djibouti","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.worldbiking.info\/wordpress\/2011\/08\/top-5-reasons-to-cycle-djibouti\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 5 Reasons to Cycle Djibouti"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you know anyone who’s cycled Djibouti? \u00a0I know I don’t, but after reading this guest post by Kyle Henning I just might have to find out for myself what the fuss is all about.<\/h3>\n

#5 – Solitude<\/h3>\n
With less than a million people, most of whom live in the 2 big cities,\u00a0Djibouti\u00a0is one of the least populous places in Africa. The rolling hills in the center give way to flat, barren desert in the south. As I approached the Ethiopian border, I literally saw nobody. The wide, paved highway made the riding safe, and trucks gave me enough room. After turning off the main highway to take a less-traveled road toward Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, there were no towns or people until the actual border. It felt so freeing to ride alone, taking in the martian landscape. You can just get lost in the scenery, listen to the wind, and almost meditate while you pedal along. The people I did meet were all very kind to me.<\/div>\n
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#4 – Nomadic People<\/h3>\n
The salt lakes in\u00a0Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Eritrea have been mined for centuries. With few roads connecting the desert lakes to the cities, nomads move salt today the same way they have for a thousand years – by camel.<\/div>\n
Camel caravans cross the desert, carrying salt hundreds of miles to sell in\u00a0Djibouti\u00a0City, Asmara (Eritrea), and Mekele (Ethiopia). Seeing a caravan is like traveling through time. This occupation has been largely unchanged over centuries, and nomadic people still rely on natural water springs to get them through the long journeys.<\/div>\n
Passing the caravans by bicycle was a wonderful experience. The people greeted me with smiles and applause. Just be wary taking photos as they seem to believe that a camera will capture their camels’ souls.<\/div>\n
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#3 – Mix of Cultures<\/h3>\n
Djibouti\u00a0is strategically located to combine Ethiopian, Somali, and Arab cultures, with a little French remaining from its colonial days. You can eat injeera, seafood, and a baguette in the same meal. You can hear Somali conversations in Planet Hollywood.<\/div>\n
It’s also fun to watch the newly arrived American GI’s wander around\u00a0Djibouti\u00a0City, completely dumbfounded by their new surroundings. This grab-bag of world cultures offers something different around every corner.<\/div>\n
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#2 – Whale Sharks<\/h3>\n
Certain months out of the year, whale sharks circle the harbor gobbling up plankton. Even amateur swimmers can snorkel with these gentle giants. At the eastern end of the harbor, near\u00a0Djibouti\u00a0City, there are reefs where the sharks are accessible by boat. Take a day to snorkel (scuba diving is not allowed with the sharks) and take in the ocean views. Scuba divers can also do separate dives in the reefs away from the sharks. On my dive, the Red Sea showed it’s abundant underwater life, including sea turtles and giant eels. Being basically the only dive site in the horn of Africa (Eritrea and Somalia are not really feasible), it’s a unique place to see African sea life and Africans’ relationships with the sea.<\/div>\n
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#1 – Lake Assal<\/h3>\n
At 155 meters below sea level, Lake Assal is the lowest point on the African continent.<\/div>\n
This salty lake supports no life, which is part of it’s beauty. A giant depression opens up in the barren desert of sand and volcanic rocks.<\/div>\n
There’s an old paved road that is falling apart, but still rideable, descending from the highway and dead-ending at the lake. I rode up this monster, so it’s certainly possible to ride down and back.<\/div>\n
There are no places to buy food or water, and very few cars, so be prepared with everything you need for 2 days on a bike in 50+ degree desert.<\/div>\n
The lake is one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen, and riding out of it while nomads and their camels passed by me was one of the best days I’ve ever spent on a bicycle.<\/div>\n
If you ever find yourself in this little country, a visit to Lake Assal should be first on your list. If biking to Lake Assal is a bit too harsh, you can hire an air-conditioned car from\u00a0Djibouti\u00a0City or Tadjoura.<\/div>\n

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