Wish you were here: Yirgalem, Ethiopia

Khieta Davis at the Aregash Eco Lodge. (Provided photo
I visited the Aregash Eco Lodge in the town of Yirgalem, Ethiopia, as part of a Fulbright Group Project Abroad. The bamboo thatched tukul dwellings are built in the style of a traditional Sidama village. The tukuls are built entirely by hand, except the floors, and took two years to construct. The high ceilings, beautifully appointed furnishings and modern amenities make the bungalow a home away from home, except without television. The sounds of nature — flowing streams, serenading crickets and the faint howl of hyenas — create a distinctive and relaxing ambiance. The grounds were lush and immaculately landscaped. The surrounding forest is home to more than 100 species of birds and mammals.

Source: Democrat and Chronicle.com