Ethiopia is so unlike the rest of Africa that we've seen that we thought we'd paint a fuller picture of the country for you. Below are justr some of the things that have struck us:

1. Ethiopia was never colonised, which makes it unique in Africa. The Italians had a crack, twice in fact (1890s and 1940s). They were sent packing both times. Strangely though the Ethiopians have embraced the Italian culture. There is a main piazza area of town and some truly fantastic Italian food on offer.

2. Ethiopia is the diplomatic hub of Africa with the African Union based here.

3. Hailie Selassie was the last Emporer of Ethiopia. He was killed by communists in 1974. He is a highly revered character as he was considered to be the direct descendent of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon. He is also know as Ras Tafari and is worshipped as devine by Rastas the world over.

4. Ethiopia has its own church (Ethiopian Orthodox). They believe that the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Ethiopia from Jerusalem by Menelik 1 (son of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon) and resides in Axum. Each church has a replica in the secret "holy of holies" part.

5. Coffee is native to Ethiopia and has spread from here to the rest of the world. I will be awake for the next three years after this visit.

6. Taxi rides cost more if you go uphill (but strangely, the same if you go downhill again).

7. Nobody seems to come here. We have visited a bunch of museums and been the only visitors. On Wednesday the St George Cathedral was opened up just because we wanted to have a look.

8. The guns-to-people ratio is much better here. While on any street in Uganda there were 40 guns of varying age and size being waved around by blokes guarding banks, shops and most other things, here there are none.

9. Taxis here are very old and very Russian (presumably a hangover from communist days). They will get you there but there are usually a range of things that don't work.

10. Nobody here cares about Charles and Camilla.