While we dream since decades to explore the universe we sometimes that a lot of our own planet is still uncharted territory. We still know almost nothing about the depths of the oceans, forgotten pieces of jungle and volcano gates to the center of the earth.
Photo Credit: youngpioneertours.com
I admit maybe I read too much Jules Verne in my youth, but it is undeniable that certain spots on the planet are open invitations to learn more about this magnificent blue planet.
The typecast tourist invades the sunny beaches or goes on a ski holiday, all places who get commercial attention in the media or in the schools. However, there are the few who are open to alternative trips.
I would like to take you to the world of Socotra, a world not created in the imagination of a science fiction author or a stage for a Hollywood B movie, but a piece of incredible nature on our very own planet.
Socotra is as magical as it sounds, it is a place where you can see ‘dragon blood’ trees who give you an instant extraterrestrial impression, and you might think that you are on a planet light years away from earth in another galaxy. This region will leave you baffled.
Geography
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Socotra is a small Yemenite archipelago consisting of four islands and little atolls in the middle of the Indian Ocean close to the Horn of Africa; it is about 240 km/150 miles south of the Arabic peninsula and has a surface of 3625 km2/1400 square miles. The main island is exactly 132 km/82 miles long and 50 km/31 miles wide.
Socotra belongs to Yemen. The names of the three other islands are Abd al Kuri, Smhah and Darsah. There are 43000 inhabitants from Arab origin, but also small ethnic groups as Indians, Somalians and descendants of African slaves.
The main island has the UNESCO recognition as World Heritage.
History
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Archeological research has proven that the Old Greeks once inhabited the island. The name Socotra is not Greek but Sanskrit. Writings from the third century AD reveal that the island was a colony used as resting place, fortress or settlement.
According to legend, the first settlers were Christians. The island was under Arab rule in the tenth century and received a mention in the works of Marco Polo.
The Portuguese conquered the island in 1507 and stayed until 1511. After this European rule, the island was the property of a sultan. In 1876, the British Empire set foot on the beaches. Today it is a part of the Republic of Yemen.
Fauna and Flora
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Just like the famous Galapagos Islands is, Socotra blessed with a rich variety of animals and plants that are not only very rare but also unseen in the rest of the world. More than eight hundred rare species are enriching the island of which 33% are endemic.
The climate is indeed extraterrestrial almost, very hot and dry, the landscape is rough but this does not affect the vegetation nor the wildlife. Especially the Dragon Blood Tree is remarkable it looks like a giant mushroom and contains dark red juice.
A Touristic Attraction in the making?
Photo Credit: jornaldoestadoms.com
For, ow the island is a paradise for scientist and not so for the ordinary tourist. This is surprising because the island has everything to ensure a vacation of a lifetime. It is not a luxurious destination, do not expect hotels and so on, but for adrenaline junkies it is heaven. There are some attempts to make it more touristic and more people to visit ‘The Strangest Place on Earth’.
For archeologists it is also something to have on every bucket list. The lost city of Hajarah is one giant mystery with high defensive walls and a city that lies in the mist. The visual effect is one big adrenaline rush. It could be a set for a new Indiana Jones movie.
To be touristic successful the attitude towards westerners will have to change, here and there, you can feel some hostility towards western tourists.
Consideration
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This island is a reminder that man is sometimes illogical, while we dream of other planets, we do not fully comprehend yet or own habitat. Socotra shows us that the beauty of our planet is unique, maybe time to protect and preserve our own planet before dreaming of colonizing the stars.
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