Somaliland has all the trappings of a country: its own currency, constitution, police and military, courts, and even democratic elections. The world does not recognise its obvious independence, because it doesn’t want instability in the Horn of Africa! A bit late for that. Very, very different to its neighbour Ethiopia. It has millenia old rock art which should be world famous, and a camel market. Safe and easy going, you may, as we did, get to chew qat with the Minister For Tourism.
We only stayed a few days, visiting the capital Hargeisa, which we liked, the port town of Berbera which we didn’t, and the Las Geel rock art site, which took our breath away. The people were easy going, friendly and helpful. Most people were busy trying to make a living, and nobody had their hand out for money.
Shopfront in port town of Berbara. It was furnace hot there, with a desert wind, rather than a sea breeze.
Action at Hargeisa's camel market.
In a country with very low levels of literacy, shops display their line of business in pictures. It's a great help for visitors, too.
The quality of the rock art at Las Geel is incredbly hight, preserved by the dry, arid land and air. A dozen or so visitors come a month.
A Coca-Cola sign beacons near the main mosque in Hargeis, Somaliland. Somalilanders are trying their best to bring progress to their "country", without help from foreign agencies, who don't recognise its independecnce.
A man holds bricks of Somaliland shillings, at the camel market. Money changers ring the central market in town, siiting casually in front of walls of currency. They seemed reluctant to be photographed, I felt.
Another view of the harsh environment of Somaliland, at Las Geel. While there are mountain areas in the country, I know nothing about visiting them.
Main mosque, Berbara, Somaliland. The run-down town has some Ottoman era buildings, but often it was hard to tell what was new or old.
The drawings here are thought to be between 5,000 and 11,000 years old.
A camel smiles for the camera. It is said that a Somali man's most important things are his wife, his camel, and his AK-47. But not in that order.
Camel spaghetti, Berbera, Somaliland. It tastes better than it sounds. We had camel several times there, and even cook it at home now. Camel meat that is.
Two young girls giggle. It was rare to get a photo of women in Somaliland.
Main square of Berbara. Due to the heat most activity takes place at night.
If you are in the market for a camel, this is the place for you. If you are in Hargeisa travelling, this is also the place for you. As much as we liked Hargeisa and its people, there didn't seem to be much to do or see. Especially if you don't like camel markets.
In case I haven't mentioned it, they are stinking horrible beasts.
Standly stiffly to attention, and the camel's owner.
Up close and personal.
The camel market does a very good range of goats, too.
A rather nice hotel in the capital.
Second hand clothes vendors viewed from above.
Somaliland has a surprisingly modren range of bakers.
