Asmara, capital of Eritrea… It is hard to believe, but if you want to visit any place of tourist interest out of Asmara, Massawa or Keren you need to apply for the special permit, or sometimes even two permits…
I want to visit the monastery in the mountains. People from the Ministry of Tourism sent me to one of the churches in Asmara to obtain the permit. Sorry, not this church… They sent me to the other one. OK!. Application form, passport, payment of 70 Nakfa. ~Wait…. Here you are…
To visit archeological sites in the south of Eritrea you have to go first to the tourist info office opposite the cathedral. Passport, the plate number of the car you go – they will fill the form. Then they will send you with that form to the stationery (around the corner after Ambassador Hotel) to make 2 copies (3 Nakfa). When you will be back you will get your permit signed and stamped… But it is not yet the happy end! Then you must take a bus no. 12 to the National Museum. Present there you permit from the tourist office, pay 50 Nakfa – and you will get your next permit!
Then you can go to the travel agency (I recommend TRAVEL HOUSE close to the post office – looks the most reliable) to organize your tour…
I spent all day arranging my permits… I am tired… But I still think that the people here are very nice!
