My life on the island of Socotra

 

Denis Romanov

Socotra is as much beautiful as uncomfortable for living, especially for those who spends much time here.

Today Socotra is rapidly changing. It so happed that I witness and participate directly in its development. I started arranging tourist programs together with the Socotran guides who became my sincere friends for several years.  

On this page I tell about my trips to the island, new places and people, the Socotrans’ life, as well as about the changes provoked by globalization.

Socotra is a small and wild island so far. The main goal of my project is the creation of a comprehensive eco-tourism system on the island, which will help islanders to improve their standard of living and give other people a chance to see such an island like it was long before our birth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One month in Sana'a
One month in Sana'a

Affairs, we had to come to Sanaa, where we live for a month in Tahrir Square in the city center.

Sanaa Yemen
Trekking routes around Socotra: the pass between Shuab bay and beaches оf Net
Trekking routes around Socotra: the pass between Shuab bay and beaches оf Net

Shuab Bay, located in the west of Socotra, great for hiking. From here you can go to the pass towards the beach Net, where you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view.

Trekking
Trekking routes around Socotra: one more mountain pass
Trekking routes around Socotra: one more mountain pass

Another interesting and beautiful trekking route around the island of Socotra.

Trekking
Trekking routes around Socotra: mountains above Hadiboh
Trekking routes around Socotra: mountains above Hadiboh

Not a very difficult route for a full day from the capital of Socotra to the pass to wadi Ayaft.

Trekking
Flowers of Socotra Island
Flowers of Socotra Island

Several species of frankincense tree grows on the island of Socotra. In March, you can see how these trees are blooming.

Fish Day on Socotra
Fish Day on Socotra

Several times a year, when the sea calms down, swarms of fry come to the shore of the island of Socotra.

Sweet dates from Socotra
Sweet dates from Socotra

Summer on Socotra - a season of dates. In July, the locals harvest dates for next year.

Dance on Socotra
Dance on Socotra

Once I saw a real Socotran dancing.

Plateau Mumi - the eastern part of Socotra Island
Plateau Mumi - the eastern part of Socotra Island

Ordinary tourists never visit the plateau Mumi. But we love this part of the island and turn it in our program.

Sea port on Socotra
Sea port on Socotra

The port on the Socotra - it is just a small pier, where the merchant ships unload all the basic products.

Shuab bay in summer time
Shuab bay in summer time

Shuab Bay - very windy place in the summer. We came here by car to enjoy the extraordinary view.

Wind Summer Shuab
Summer Wind on Socotra
Summer Wind on Socotra

The main sign of the summer on Socotra - a very strong wind across the northern coast.

Wind Summer
Socotra in the summer: Fishing from shore near the Hadibo
Socotra in the summer: Fishing from shore near the Hadibo

With some practice you can successfully fishing right from shore near Hadibo.

Photos Nature Fish
Weekend in Socotra
Weekend in Socotra

On weekends we usually go with an overnight stay in the bay Shuab where you can catch fish and cook an excellent fish dinner.

Shuab Beach photos fish
Dangerous Mechanics
Dangerous Mechanics

Number of cars on the island is constantly increasing every year. But there is no one to repair them - on Socotra is almost no good mechanics. Sometimes it seems that those who are trying to work with tools, do not use their brain at all.

development
My birthday on the island of Socotra
My birthday on the island of Socotra

My birthday we spent in a quiet location near the waterfalls on the southern coast of Socotra.

birthday
Try unique honey from Socotra
Try unique honey from Socotra

Unique honey has healing properties, you can buy a specialty store in Hadibo made few years ago by two French beekeepers, husband and wife Thierry and Camille Sergent.

Honey
New trekking route in Socotra - On the edge of the lost world
New trekking route in Socotra - On the edge of the lost world

Wonderful views you can see from the edge of the plateau to the west of Socotra.

Shuab trekking photos caves
Over the mountain peaks to the south of Hadibo, the capital of Socotra
Over the mountain peaks to the south of Hadibo, the capital of Socotra

Probably everyone who looked at the mountains from Hadibo wanted to see what's out there, far away ...

Hadiboh Trekking Archer Mumi attractions
What to do in Hadibo - the capital of Socotra
What to do in Hadibo - the capital of Socotra

Hadibo - the capital of Socotra - looks more like a rural village than a city. However, here you can find many interesting things.

Hadiboh
Socotra has five wildlife reserves.