SOCOTRA ISLAND
Here is the source and links to other amazing landscapes photographed by Rachel & Avi Adams

This island simply blows away any notion about what is considered "normal"
for a landscape on Earth. It is like being on a different planet. 

 Socotra is one of those "lost world" islands where intrepid travelers - particularly those seeking
exotic nature and wildlife in a remote tropical setting - can go days on end without rubbing shoulders
with that less-than-endangered species, tourists. Known for decades as the Galapagos-of-the-Indian-Ocean,
it's the world's tenth richest island for endemic plant species. And the biggest island in the Middle East
is 125 kilometers (78 miles) in length and 45 kilometers (28 miles) across. Meanwhile the landscape
is one of contrasts. For example, it has isolated nature preserves with dazzling wildlife,
including 900 species of plants, the famous Dragon's Blood Tree (Dracaena Cinnabara), some of
the rarest birds that exist nowhere else in the world and picturesque unspoiled sandy beaches.



Imagine waking up one day on Socotra Island and taking a good look around you.  After a yelp of disbelief,
you'd be inclined to think you were transported to another planet - or traveled to another era of Earth's
evolution. The second would be closer to the truth for this island, which is part of a group of 4 islands,
has been geographically isolated from mainland Africa for the last 6 or 7 million years. Like the Galapagos
Islands, this island is teeming with 700 extremely rare species of flora and fauna, a full 1/3 of which are
found nowhere else on Earth.
 





The climate is harsh, hot, and dry, and yet the most amazing plant life thrives there.
Situated in the Indian Ocean 250 km east of Somalia and 340 km southeast
of Yemen, the wide sandy beaches rise to limestone plateaus full of caves
(some 7 kilometers in length) and mountains up to 1525 meters high.




The  name “Socotra” is derived from a Sanscrit name meaning "The Island of Bliss." Is it the beaches?
The isolation and quiet? Or the strange and crazy botanical allure? Alien-looking plants. H. P. Lovecraft's
secret inspiration? Was the famous Chtulhu myths creator aware of these forbidding mountains with their
hauntingly weird flora? (Think of plant mutations from his "The Color out of Space")  We are almost tempted
to call Socotra the other "Mountains of Madness" - the trees and plants of this island were preserved thru their
long geological isolation with some varieties being 20 million years old.  We begin with the dracena cinnibaris
or Dragon's Blood Tree, the source of valuable resin for varnishes, dyes, and "cure-all" medicine; 
also (predictably) used in medieval ritual magic and alchemy.




The branches spread out into the sky and from below appear to hover over the landscape
like so many flying saucers. And from above they have a distinct mushroom look.




There is also the Desert Rose (Adenium Obesium) which looks like nothing so much as a blooming elephant leg.






Dorstenia Gigas ..... apparently does not require any soil and sinks roots straight into the bare rock.






Somewhat similar to the weird Dorstenia Gigas, is this "Bucha" vegetable, found as
far north as Croatia. I hope it's not pregnant with anything malignant inside this sack. 
John Wyndham (with his "The Day of the Triffids") would've loved it.




Also found in Socotra's landscape is the ever-strange and extremely rare Cucumber Tree
(Dendrosicyos Socotranum) - and, yes, it is related to what's sitting in a pickle jar in your fridge.




Getting around can be a challenge as there are almost no roads.  Despite the fact that this island has
around 40,000 inhabitants, the Yemeni government put in the first roads just 2 years ago - after
negotiations with UNESCO, which has declared this island a World Natural Heritage Site. I would prefer
a camel ride to what is bound to be a bumpy and slow 4x4 ride. It is a quiet and peaceful enclave in an
otherwise troubled world. If you decide to visit there, you can forget about beachfront hotels and
restaurants. This island is geared towards Eco-tourism and sustaining the local economy and way of life.






This island is also a birder's paradise with 140 different species ..... 10 of which are
not found anywhere else in the world. A unique Socotra Warbler, Sunbird, Starling, Bunting,
Sparrow and Cisticola are among the ones found here. There are also Socotra Cormorants.




Want to see some fairy-tale shipwrecks? There are diving tours available.
   Hopefully some IMAX crew will film it in all its glory one day.




For a glimpse of Socotra's and Yemen's in general totally unique architecture, check out
this place located on the mainland .... Al Hajarah, Yemen - walled city in the mist.