Bebera - Scuba Diving and Snorkeling

After some very average dives in Cabo Verde, where I found myself thinking “why am I wasting my time diving here”, I choose not to dive off the coast of Berbera, Somaliland. It turned out the dive wasn’t that exciting, but the water was warm and the dive was very shallow. The maximum depth was 9 meters. In retrospect, I should have dove because we snorkeled in the same area, however it was difficult to see the sea life while snorkeling, because the sea life was 6 to 9 meters deep and the water was kinda murky. The sea life included moray eels, moorish idols, angel fish, parrot fish, cutter fish, etc. per the scuba divers that did dive.

Tour of Bebera

The Ottoman, Persian, and British architecture of Berbera was supposed to be the highlight of our visit, but was not really explained to us. Our guide was young and clearly didn’t have the knowledge. Evidently, the town doesn’t have many tourists visiting. There is not a lot of capital development occurring in the town either. The town seems to be waiting for better economic times.

Dagah Kureh – Northwest of Hargeisa

This excursion was a total waste of time. It took 5 hours to get there and back. In addition, it was in the opposite direction that we were traveling that day. Once we return to Hargeisa, after viewing the rock art, we continued in the complete opposite direction to Berbera.

 The formation of the rocks that provide the canvas for and surround the rock art, reminded me a lot of Matobo National Park in Zimbabwe, where I previously view African rock art.

Somaliland Independence Day

We started the day at 7:30 by observing and ultimately participating in the military and civilian Independence Day parade. We lead the parade passed the President’s reviewing stand. Many Somalis, including many of us, were dressed in the national colors - green, red and white. It was my first time to participate in an independence day in an unrecognized country (i.e. a country according to U.N. criteria doesn’t exist).

Even the camels were celebrating!! 

Complete Independence Day Attire

Me with our guide Guled

Cute Kid

President of Somaliland - Muse Bihi Abdi 

Laas Geel

A trip to Somaliland without visiting Laas Geel would not be complete. Laas Geel is typically referred to as the most important rock art site in Africa. The caves contain some of the oldest cave paintings on the horn of Africa; the vibrant colors and well-preserved paintings are estimated to be around 5000 to 7000 years ago.

Hargeisa Livestock Market

Based on my observation, visiting the livestock market is one of the highlights of that most tour companies include in their tour itineraries of Somaliland. The market reminded me a lot of the livestock market in Kushgar, China, except the Hargeisa market, albeit smaller, did have a lot more camels for sale than the Kushgar market.

Hargeisa City Tour

Like most city tours in cities that don’t have a strong tourism industry, the city tours aren’t all that exciting. We visited a war related monument, moneychangers with their stack of Somaliland Shilling, shops, restaurant, cultural center, museum, etc. Nothing extremely exciting.

War Monument 

Stack of Somaliland Shillings!

Money Changers

Overlooking Hargeisa

Naaso Hablood (“Girl’s Breasts”)

Local Art (side eye)