Jonathan Proud

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The Afar equivalent of a highland fling.	Calcareous 'chimneys' of Lake Abbé, at dawn.
Arrived at Lake Abbé just before sunset and photographed the amazing chimneys of volcanic lava. Went to our campsite and was allocated a tukul tent made of matting. Had a good dinner followed by Afar tribal dancing. Heard a hyena in the night. Thu 11th: Got up at 5am to see the sunrise over the chimneys. Wandered amongst them for an hour or so, taking lots of photos. There were 'springs' of boiling water and quicksands. Saw the lake shore from a good distance, lined with flamingos.	Steam rises from hot springs.
	Returned to the camp for breakfast, then set off for the 5 hour journey back to Arta Beach. Stopped at a smoking chimney, some gun sellers and found a knife for sale for one of the girls. Saw a kori bustard and a jackal "Even the jackal makes his will before crossing Djibouti". Had a late lunch then snorkelled in the afternoon. Had a boat trip in the dinghy to look for whale sharks, but saw none. The snorkelling was good - saw a sting ray, a moray eel and loads of butterfly fish. After dinner a whale shark came alongside the boat - it was vast.
'Planet of the Apes' was filmed here.





	Shepherd takes the flock down to Lake Abbé's pastures.
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