Where will your next home be?
Discovering Socotra is to delve into a world rarely explored, a destination whose landscape is characterized by the weird and wonderful dragon blood tree, so named after the blood-like color of the red sap that these remarkable-looking trees produce.
An estimated 30% of the island chain's flora is endemic. Plants found nowhere else of the planet flourish here. Seen here studding the Homhil Plateau alongside dragon blood trees are cucumber trees.
Anchored in the Indian Ocean 400 km (248 mi) off the coast of Yemen is one of the most unworldly places on Earth—Socotra Island.
The Socotra archipelago is one of the greatest treasures of biodiversity, but it's Socotra itself that is truly breathtaking for the variety of flora and fauna found on the island.
The largest of four islands that make up the Socotra archipelago, this remote destination lies between the Guardafui Channel and the Arabian Sea.
Socotra's name is traced to the Sanskrit word meaning "island of bliss." In 2008, UNESCO declared the island a World Heritage Site. Pictured is the Hajhir massif mountain range, the highest point on the island.
The Socotra climate is arid. However, the island is watered from March to May by seasonal monsoon rains.
The rains help replenish watering holes like Wadi Kalissan, a gorgeous string of pristine pools that mirror the surrounding landscape.
The Hajhir massif is steeped in legend. Bedouin goatherds believe it to be the home of mythical horse-like creatures. According to ancient Greek mythology, the mountains hide the legendary throne of the god Uranus.
For the botanists and lovers of rare wildlife, Socotra dazzles with its wealth of flora and fauna.
Hoq Cave in eastern Socotra is known for some rare examples of epigraphy, said to date back to the 1st century CE. These ancient inscriptions serve as a reminder of the island's previous role as a strategic Indian Ocean trading hub.
Wadi Dirhur Canyon is another stunning Socotra Island water feature. It cuts an emerald green slice through the Diksam Plateau.
Among the plant life endemic to Socotra is Caralluma socotrana, noted for its scarlet star-shaped flowers that grow from angled, pale green stems.
Another endemic species is Aloe perryi. Islanders have known of its important pharmaceutical and medicinal properties for centuries.
Endemic to Yemen, including the Socotra archipelago, is the handsome charcoal-gray colored Socotra starling.
Along the coast expect to bump into these guys, Socotra cormorants. Despite their name, it was only confirmed in 2005 that this bird was breeding on the islands. They're listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Socotra's garbage collectors, Egyptian vultures are relatively common on the island, though the species itself is registered as Endangered by the IUCN.
Back on the ground, watch out for Socotran reptiles. Species include geckos, chameleons, and snakes.
Socotra is celebrated for its mysterious-looking landforms. But what we have here is not sculptured by nature. Instead, these miniature sand pyramids are the work of the industrious ghost crab.
And how about this for a spider? Known locally as the "Socotra island blue baboon," legend says that this tarantula species can bring down a camel. Fortunately, Socotra is bereft of dromedaries and, in any case, this particular arachnid is usually found 850 m (2,788 ft) above sea level.
Approximately 50,000 people live on Socotra, with many based in Hadibu, the archipelago's capital. Outlying villages such as Delisha (pictured) house the rest of the scattered population.
Most of the inhabitants of Socotra are indigenous Soqotri people from the Al-Mahrah tribe, who are of Southern Arabian descent from Al-Mahrah Governorate in the southern half of the Arabian Peninsula.
Image: Charles K. Moser, 1918
Some of Socotra's inhabitants are African. The mother tongue, though, is the Semitic language Soqotri, which is Arabic in origin.
Socotra's economy has for centuries relied on fishing. But dates, ghee, and, to a lesser extent, tobacco are cultivated for export to the mainland.
All the while, however, this fragile environment is carefully guarded, its UNESCO status synonymous of how rare and precious this tiny spec in the Indian Ocean truly is.
Sources: (UNESCO) (IUCN) (Socotra Eco-Tours)
In keeping with tradition, the island's menfolk are often seen wearing a jambiya knife, a typical type of dagger that originated from the Hadhramaut Governorate region of Yemen.
A culinary delicacy is the fruit from the rare Socotran pomegranate. But it's an acquired taste. Only the flesh from the largest and ripest fruit is edible, and even this tends to be on the sour and caustic side.
Take a boat tour along the coast and you'll likely be joined by playful and acrobatic spinner dolphins.
Lately, Socotra has appeared on the adventure tourism map, this despite the long-running civil war still raging on the mainland. Specialist eco-tour groups can introduce the more discerning visitor to the island's astonishing array of natural wonders. The more active, meanwhile, can indulge in exciting excursion options, including taking to the air by paraglider.
The waters off Socotra are equally rich in biodiversity. The island's coral reefs teem with aquatic life. The impressive whale shark is a regular visitor.
Socotra Island covers an area of just 3,626 sq km (1,400 sq m), and yet this tiny Indian Ocean island lying off the coast of Yemen represents a treasure trove of dazzling biodiversity. The largest island in the Socotra archipelago, this is a destination that defies worldly description. Instead its landscape in more alien in nature, a unique collection of habitats that would look more at home on a distant planet in the far reaches of the universe. But Socotra is accessible, and more people are venturing outside their comfort zone to explore this remarkable island and its wealth of rare flora and fauna. So, how adventurous are you?
Click through and journey to a place extraterrestrial in looks, and little explored by earthlings.
Socotra Island, the most unworldly place on the planet
Discover Earth's most 'alien' destination
TRAVEL Destination
Socotra Island covers an area of just 3,626 sq km (1,400 sq m), and yet this tiny Indian Ocean island lying off the coast of Yemen represents a treasure trove of dazzling biodiversity. The largest island in the Socotra archipelago, this is a destination that defies worldly description. Instead its landscape in more alien in nature, a unique collection of habitats that would look more at home on a distant planet in the far reaches of the universe. But Socotra is accessible, and more people are venturing outside their comfort zone to explore this remarkable island and its wealth of rare flora and fauna. So, how adventurous are you?
Click through and journey to a place extraterrestrial in looks, and little explored by earthlings.