If you need to get anything arranged in Bahir Dar, go and see Bisrat at the Ghion Hotel. He is a fabulous man who manages the Ghion Hotel (a budget hotel with a beautiful lakeside patio and a wonderful, relaxed vibe). Even though we did not stay at the Ghion (it is an older hotel in need of some renos), Bisrat arranged our tour to the Blue Nile falls and organized our trip back to Addis (the Ghion tours to the Blue Nile Falls are listed in the Lonely Planet). Our discovery of Ato Bisrat was a wonderful side-benefit of visiting the Ghion.
When we called and complained about our shady mini-bus driver (Iago), Bisrat took immediate action and said he would handle the situation, promising even to return our deposit. Bisrat is one of those people you meet in life that goes out of his way to help you even if he does not have to. He did not gain by helping us (in fact he might still have to endure the drama associated with Iago), but he helped us just the same. If you visit Bahir Dar and you should (it is stunning), call Bisrat. He will help you out. Who’s the Boss in Bahir Dar? No, not Tony Danza or Judith Light. It’s Bisrat.
