YEMEN

Posted on 2009-03-09

With shades of Afghanistan, reflections of Morocco, flavours of Africa and reminders of Arabia, Yemen is utterly unique, and nowhere more so than Socotra. Truly remote, natural and totally untouched, the wild island of Socotra is a mystery waiting to be uncovered. A short plane hop off the coast of Yemen, Socotra is called the ‘alternative Galapagos’ and rightly so.

See Dragon’s Blood trees and exotic birds, kayak through otherworldly caves and snorkel in gin-clear seas. Back on the mainland the mud brick houses of the UNESCO world heritage site of Shibam tower over the surrounding desert at up to 11 stories high, hence its nickname ‘Manhattan of the Desert’. Experience deep desert solitude on a 4×4 drive across the plains, and meet Bedouin nomad families whose lifestyle hasn’t changed in 100s of years. Haggle for trinkets in the souks of Sana’a, stop for tea in one of the cities infamous tea shops and stuff your cheeks with “Gat”. Round off the day watching the poetry of a San’a sunset.

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