The property was designed by the owners and, having trained as a civil engineer with an emphasis of attention to detail and with over 50 years experience in design and construction, Chris was determined to come up with an attractive but well laid out design avoiding many of the irritating things found in many homes and accommodations. It took a couple of years to complete the design and refine the details and Saba and I are very happy with the end result. We think we have accomplished our requirements for a pleasant property that is light and airy and has spacious rooms that should appeal to friends, relatives and guests on their first visit and make them want to return. The property also has a very pleasing walled garden in which to sit, relax or eat meals.

The owners, Chris and Saba, met and married in the UAE where Chris, born and brought up in the New Forest area of southern England, spent most of his working life as a civil/building engineer/project manager. Saba's family roots are in Tigray and as the Tigray skies seem always to be so clear and blue, the climate comfortably warm all year round and the people so friendly, we decided to design and build a home in Mekelle. A result of our upbringings, we both love the natural world and after moving from the UAE to Mekelle we have been able to explore the Tigray countryside and have been very impressed with the variety and natural beauty of the valleys, mountains and plains and the views from the mountain tops and their rock hewn churches are unforgettable. We both enjoy gardens and gardening and are proud of our walled garden which we love to sit and relax in for an hour or so most evenings.

Emperor Yohannes IV established Mekelle as his capital and built a stone palace in the 1870s which is now an interesting museum. The Martyr's Monument and Museum recording the struggle of the people against the Derg regime is a must for those interested in the recent history of Ethiopia. Both museums are within 2.5km of the Guest House as are most of the interesting places to visit and It is very easy to catch a Bajaj 3 wheeled taxi which we always use when we go shopping as they a not expensive, can go, turn, stop and park where no normal car can go and are an Ethiopian experience not to be missed! We love Mekelle. It is not too big or crowded, the skies are clear and unpolluted and the weather is comfortably warm all year round and makes you want to be in the open air, either walking and exploring or to just sit and relax with a drink or meal. The smaller tree lined cobblestone streets give an air of relaxation and provide shade under which to sip the famous Ethiopian coffee at one of the many pavement coffee shops. When the Flame trees, Jacaranda and Oleander are out in flower the streets are even more picturesque.