Not only for its poignance in the face of the still-ongoing war, but the breadth of your subjects, experiences, and reflection.
BTW - I bought the new Bradt guide to Socotra and found it lacking. Virtually no hiking or mountaineering information. It was basically a long blog post about the authors' guided tour, albeit with some local insight (mostly re: the built-up areas, which you've indicated are the least attractive places for tourists).
Thanks so much for your kind words! Socotra (and Sana'a) are among the world's most amazing places. The mountains in the center of the island are spectacular. I think that you need to be accompanied by locals or at least have their permission to be on the land. I know that people have climbed some of the spectacular towers there (reported a while back in the American Alpine Journal). I think they found evidence of the locals having been there previously even on top of a 5.10 or something tower. When I was on some of the limestone, coastal mountains I was by myself and wandered alone among an amazing quantity of arches and bizarre vegetation! Last I heard there were flights there from Cairo...
Will have to check out that edition of the AAJ! Yes, Cairo flights were ongoing as recently as last year. Military/spy base development on Socotra by foreign powers is also in the works, including in the sensitive Momi plateau.
I'll have to look into that more, The quick search that I did said it was with Israel and the UAE. Maybe they're getting money from Israel or something? Most tourists who were on Socotra when I was there were from the UAE so there could be a financial incentive there. Thanks for letting me know about that. I'll update the Socotra page.
Those AAJ articles were very interesting! I'm sure the Israel/UAE base development is part of the recognition deal between the two countries, not least because news broke about both developments almost simultaneously.
I'd assume that you are correct about Israel. I'll try to get the Socotra page updated, maybe during spring break... I hope that you're able to make it there soon. It is certainly a memorable place!
T. White - Feb 13, 2021 6:25 pm - Voted 10/10
Fantastic album.Not only for its poignance in the face of the still-ongoing war, but the breadth of your subjects, experiences, and reflection.
BTW - I bought the new Bradt guide to Socotra and found it lacking. Virtually no hiking or mountaineering information. It was basically a long blog post about the authors' guided tour, albeit with some local insight (mostly re: the built-up areas, which you've indicated are the least attractive places for tourists).
RobSC - Feb 13, 2021 6:48 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Fantastic album.Thanks so much for your kind words! Socotra (and Sana'a) are among the world's most amazing places. The mountains in the center of the island are spectacular. I think that you need to be accompanied by locals or at least have their permission to be on the land. I know that people have climbed some of the spectacular towers there (reported a while back in the American Alpine Journal). I think they found evidence of the locals having been there previously even on top of a 5.10 or something tower. When I was on some of the limestone, coastal mountains I was by myself and wandered alone among an amazing quantity of arches and bizarre vegetation! Last I heard there were flights there from Cairo...
T. White - Feb 13, 2021 8:56 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Fantastic album.Will have to check out that edition of the AAJ! Yes, Cairo flights were ongoing as recently as last year. Military/spy base development on Socotra by foreign powers is also in the works, including in the sensitive Momi plateau.
RobSC - Feb 13, 2021 10:57 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Fantastic album.I'll have to look into that more, The quick search that I did said it was with Israel and the UAE. Maybe they're getting money from Israel or something? Most tourists who were on Socotra when I was there were from the UAE so there could be a financial incentive there. Thanks for letting me know about that. I'll update the Socotra page.
T. White - Feb 25, 2021 9:19 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Fantastic album.Those AAJ articles were very interesting! I'm sure the Israel/UAE base development is part of the recognition deal between the two countries, not least because news broke about both developments almost simultaneously.
RobSC - Feb 27, 2021 5:25 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Fantastic album.I'd assume that you are correct about Israel. I'll try to get the Socotra page updated, maybe during spring break... I hope that you're able to make it there soon. It is certainly a memorable place!