VERS LE GOUBET

The N9 road links the N1 to Tadjourah, from the junction 18 km after Weah. Its construction was financed by Saudi capital. It is also called "King Fahd's road". It is also known as the "Unity Road" for its role as a link between South Issa and North Afar. This superb road is little used. It is surprisingly quiet and very pleasant after the Ethiopian truck convoys of the N1 road. On the way, panoramic view on the gulf of Tadjourah, small canyons, landscapes of black lava or white salt, mountains, palm groves, various animals.

Leaving the N1 road, we first go along a small sandy depression, quite yellow, called Qaid. We then follow the dry beds of some rivers, which become dangerous during the short but heavy rains that hit the region very rarely. It seems that the landscape changes with every kilometre. The stone and the earth go through all ranges of colours. Before the road forks slightly to the north, we can stop on a small parking lot, indicated by no sign but visible thanks to some stalls of souvenir sellers sometimes present. There, we dominate a kind of canyon, formed by the Dimbiya river. The place is quite impressive. The different layers of rock are clearly visible, layered, differentiated by various shades. A real geological section!

Going back up the road towards the north, we now dominate the Goubet, the Ghoubbet el-Kharâb, at the bottom of the gulf of Tadjourah. We overhang it by about 280 m. The panorama is superb. One is sometimes a little embarrassed by the mist or the "whiteness" of the sun. But even those who contemplate this site frequently do not get tired of it. It is different every time. The view is best from another small car park, again marked by a few souvenir stalls. This place is however the symbol of the tensions that had marred the Franco-Djiboutian relations for several years. It is indeed here, at the foot of the cliff, that the body of Judge Borrel was found. A discreet plaque in his memory recalls this sad event.

Further on, the road to Lake Assal (N10) runs northwest. The N9 road goes down towards the Goubet. Before the fork in the road, you can go off-road on the right and walk for about ten minutes to observe the paradisiacal island of Ali Aref, very close to the coast.