Last day in the Danikil

It had been very windy overnight on the shores of the lake. I had another float about in its salty water and then a quick dip in the hot spring after all the locals had been down to wash their bodies and clothes in it.

This area is very important as a source for salt (for human consumption) which is obtained by evaporation of saline pools. We had a walking tour of the area (baking in the heat) and then stopped for refreshment at this cafe. Our guide and drivers seemed to be in prolonged negotiations with some local people (the Afar people have the reputation of being unfriendly to visitors, as recently as the 1930s welcoming strangers by lopping off their testicles) so we spent quite a while here. An Israeli family produced a card game similar to UNO, the rules were all in Hebrew and we were just getting into the swing of it when it was time to go. Back along the long long road to Ab'ale for some lunch and thence to Mekelle.