Life on Socotra Island is unsurpassed in its solitary exquisitenessSocotra is one of the most isolated landforms on earth. The island can easily be considered alien because of its extraordinary species of flora and fauna, which is found nowhere else on earth. The fierce seas of the Indian Ocean has kept this island hidden from mankind for most of the 20th century. Belonging to the Republic of Yemen, it is one of the small islands off the coast of the 'Horn of Africa'. The harsh, desert-like island is a habitat for a range of phenomenal plants. Shaped like a giant mushroom, the Dragon’s Blood tree spreads out into the sky. It is believed that the tree is a valuable source for varnishes, dyes and all-purpose medicine. The Desert Rose which is simply described as a ‘blossoming elephant leg’ is also unique to the island. Despite the Desert Rose’ odd appearance, what makes it even more unique is that it apparently does not rely on soil to flourish. It’s powerful roots grows straight into rock.Also found in Socotra's ever-strange landscape is the extremely rare Cucumber and Fig trees. The Cucumber tree, true to it’s name, looks like...well...a blooming cucumber. The Fig tree has a swolen trunk that retains water.This island is also home to 140 various species of birds, 10 of which are also found nowhere else on earth, these species include the Socotra warbler, Sunbird, Starling, Bunting, Sparrow and Cisticola.You can forget about beachfront hotels and restaurants; this island is geared towards eco-tourism and sustaining the local economy and way of life. Yhe Yemeni government put in the first roads just two years ago - after negotiations with UNESCO, which has declared this island a World Natural Heritage Site.
The Dragon Blood Tree
The Desert Rose in bloom
The roots of the Desert Rose sinks right into rocks
The Cucumber Tree
The Fig Treewikipedia.org
www.darkroastedblend.com
The inconceivable beauty of Yemeni architecture
The land of Yemen is one of the oldest centers of civilization in the world and has some of the most enchanting ancient architecture in the Arab world. You will see a town on every hilltop or big rock. These towns where built for protection against enemies. It is mind-boggling how they managed to build these complicated structures.
Sana'a, the capital of the Republic of Yemen, is an ancient walled city of 6,500 houses and more than 100 mosques, and is a living museum of traditional styles. Sana'a reflects every aspect of the uniqueness of this mysterious country; beautiful decorated fortified houses, sumptuous palaces, bustling markets and friendly inhabitants. Sana’a also boasts with the recently-completed Saleh Mosque, built in the traditional Yemeni way that is a beautiful new addition to the capital.
Linda Shen 
View of Sana'a from the Arabia Felix Hotel
Old Sana'a is full of ornate traditional architecture
Part of Old Town Sana'a along the Sa'ila, illuminated at night
The Arabia Felix HotelThe Saleh Mosque is the largest Mosque in all of Yemen and cost $60 million to built. The mosque was inaugurated on Friday, 21 November 2008, despite the uproar caused by the impoverished citizens about it's extortionating pricetag. The house of worship is surrounded by sprawling gardens and has space for 40,000 followers.The mosque's design follows a unique Yemeni style of architecture, with wooden roofs and 15 wooden doors, each 75 feet high and carved with copper patterns. Inside, a large crystal chandelier lights up the main prayer area. The mosque has three floors, with libraries and 25 classrooms.
Haider Nakash
Haider Nakash
australbi
Interior of the Saleh MosqueI am most facinated by the fortress-like city of Al Hajjarah, a small mountain village near Manakha, southwest of Sana'a. The 2000-metre high village of Al Hajjarah (means 'the stony one'), tower like houses (to accommodate extended families) were built close together on a steep rock face to form a closed wall of protection. There is only one single narrow entrance to the village, which is closed off by a heavy wooden door. There are up to five storey high houses in Al Hajjarah that are superimposed on the uneven rock surface, a bold accomplishment by Yemeni master-builders.
Brian McMorrow
Brian McMorrow
Brian McMorrow
Brian McMorrow
Brian McMorrow
Tourist Hotel and Restaurant
Arial view
Yemen is slowly becoming known as the 'undiscovered pearl of the Peninsula' by travelers in the know. Although the country is gradually modernizing, you'll still find all the goodness of old-style Arabia
