As of late I've been beyond busy. I'm sure you're tired of hearing the same old song and dance, but I just posted some pictures of Socotra Island and wanted to let everyone know I just spent a beautiful week there. I led a group of the students from YCMES to the Island where we were met by two Yemeni guides who drove us from one place to another and provided general information and tips about the Island.
The week was full of camping, hiking, and swimming and presented everyone with a much needed break from the city of Sana'a. Socotra is hardly populated and the most you'll find of a city are a few very simple stone or wood buildings in close proximity to each other. Although the capital itself had a few larger and more modern buildings, using the word modern is stretching it. I tried to take pictures of the women here, whose vibrantly colored dress reminded me of how close we were to Africa. Unfortunately, women usually do not want their pictures taken due to their religious beliefs, so I was only able to take limited shots.
While on the Island we wanted to respect the locals which meant covering up, even when swimming, although we could get away with shorts and t-shirts when in the water (this is directed at the females on the trip of course). There were too many highlights to name, but seeing dolphins within arms distance on one of the boat rides was probably one of my favorite experiences. I also swam in water so clear and blue and with sand so white that I was under the impression such things only existed in pirate movies. Bathing in the fresh water pools by our camp sites each night under a sky exploding with stars was also a wonder. The camaraderie of the group that came made things all the more enjoyable with their laid back and ready for adventure attitudes.
Below was the schedule we followed if you're interested in exactly where we went:
Socotra Island: Dec.1-6, 2009
December 1
Arrive in Socotra at 11:25am
Drive to the capital of Hadibu (pick up supplies here)
Drive to Qalansiya and explore the beach
Camp in a valley about 15 minutes from the Qalansiya Beach
December 2
Take a boat ride (2 boats) to Ras Shu’ab
Drive to Diksan Plateau and Wadi Dirur
Camp at Negda (in the gorge of the plateau)
December 3
Picnic at Mafeef Cave
Go to Adhar/Arar Beach
Camp near Adhar/Arar Beach alongside a river
December 4
Drove across the Island and saw the mountainous region of the Island, stopping at a river in a town and to look at the trees from which frankincense is collected to make incense; we ended up near Hoq
Swim at the Dellashea Beach
Camp at Dellashea Beach
December 5
Hike to and explore Hoq Cave (2-3 hours and needed a guide)
Drive to Wadi Deferho and go to Dihamri from here
December 6
Catch a 9:55am flight from Socotra to Sana’a
Socotra Island is said to be the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean due to the unique plant and animals species that are exclusive only to Socotra. I'll post some general information for those interested following this post.
The week was full of camping, hiking, and swimming and presented everyone with a much needed break from the city of Sana'a. Socotra is hardly populated and the most you'll find of a city are a few very simple stone or wood buildings in close proximity to each other. Although the capital itself had a few larger and more modern buildings, using the word modern is stretching it. I tried to take pictures of the women here, whose vibrantly colored dress reminded me of how close we were to Africa. Unfortunately, women usually do not want their pictures taken due to their religious beliefs, so I was only able to take limited shots.
While on the Island we wanted to respect the locals which meant covering up, even when swimming, although we could get away with shorts and t-shirts when in the water (this is directed at the females on the trip of course). There were too many highlights to name, but seeing dolphins within arms distance on one of the boat rides was probably one of my favorite experiences. I also swam in water so clear and blue and with sand so white that I was under the impression such things only existed in pirate movies. Bathing in the fresh water pools by our camp sites each night under a sky exploding with stars was also a wonder. The camaraderie of the group that came made things all the more enjoyable with their laid back and ready for adventure attitudes.
Below was the schedule we followed if you're interested in exactly where we went:
Socotra Island: Dec.1-6, 2009
December 1
Arrive in Socotra at 11:25am
Drive to the capital of Hadibu (pick up supplies here)
Drive to Qalansiya and explore the beach
Camp in a valley about 15 minutes from the Qalansiya Beach
December 2
Take a boat ride (2 boats) to Ras Shu’ab
Drive to Diksan Plateau and Wadi Dirur
Camp at Negda (in the gorge of the plateau)
December 3
Picnic at Mafeef Cave
Go to Adhar/Arar Beach
Camp near Adhar/Arar Beach alongside a river
December 4
Drove across the Island and saw the mountainous region of the Island, stopping at a river in a town and to look at the trees from which frankincense is collected to make incense; we ended up near Hoq
Swim at the Dellashea Beach
Camp at Dellashea Beach
December 5
Hike to and explore Hoq Cave (2-3 hours and needed a guide)
Drive to Wadi Deferho and go to Dihamri from here
December 6
Catch a 9:55am flight from Socotra to Sana’a
Socotra Island is said to be the Galapagos of the Indian Ocean due to the unique plant and animals species that are exclusive only to Socotra. I'll post some general information for those interested following this post.
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