A Glimpse

Arabia Felix - the happy Arabia. For centuries, heavily laden caravans journeyed from easternmost parts of Yemen to the Mediterranean. The treasured cargo of frankincense, the beguiling fragrance of the orient. Kingdoms and powers came and went. Yemen bewitches every visitor who ventures there, a veritable treasure chest of old Arabian Culture and History, fascinating countryside and hospitable people.

In the heart of the old town of Sana'a one can easily believe that time has stood still for centuries. High in the craggy and rocky mountainous region small and picturesque dwellings cling to the rocky faces and peep through the wispy clouds to occasionally observe the visitors.

In the plains of Tihama stand rounded huts acting as heralds to the nearby Africa. Here women walk around without the veil. The near untouched sandy beaches of the Red Sea, stretch from the old coffee harbor of Mocha to the far North.

To the South, the thousand mile coast is washed with the waves of the Indian Ocean. After a long period of isolation, the Wadi Hadramaut in the East of Yemen has also opened its welcoming arms to foreigners. Enclosed from the mighty table mountains, a fertile valley stretches before one like a carpet, with a jeweled chain of oasis towns as pearls in the barrenness of the desert.

It is rare in the world to find such a rich variety collected in such a small area.Yemen promises an unforgettable experience –a journey through a living ancient times, yet only a few hours flying away from Europe.

Sana'a   The dream of the old Orient becomes a reality in Sana'a

The city existed at the time when there were only tents to be found on the Arabian peninsula - one of the oldest towns in the World, second only to Marib. Legend has it that the son of the biblical Noah, Sem, founded the city. Renowned as a refuge of peace, it was a place where fighting was not permitted.

Multi storied houses built from burnt clay tiles with alabaster windows and white chalked facades, still adorn the old city. As dusk slowly takes over the role of the day, the chanting of the muezzins from the mosques starts to fill the air and develops into an intensive but fascinating tirade of sounds.

The tiny shops in the narrow winding streets of the souk are open at this time of day. Here one can purchase practically anything, jewellery of amazing beauty, and uniquely shimmering cloths, frankincense and a multitude of aromatic spices.

Outside of Sana'a are further jewels waiting to be discovered: the wild cliffs of Wadi Dahr with an imposing palace standing high on a rock or the seldom visited village of Bayt Baws built on green colored limestone.

East of Sana'a lies the legendary town of Marib where the pillars of the ancient temple still stand to remind one of bygone glory. As early as eight hundred years before Christ a large dam stood here as a further monument to that ancient world. Welcome to the Kingdom of the Queen of Saba.

Mountains in Yemen

Throughout the generations, the people of this region have converted steep slopes into step formed cultivable land with geometric clarity, although man cannot really conquer these mountains.

This rugged region of Yemen is naturally well fortified. Where the nooks and crannies of mountain tops are occasionally shrouded in clouds, villages with honey colored houses and elephant grey contrasts, peep through. Isolated houses sometimes give the impression of eagle nests turned into stone.

The people who live here have always lived in safety.

To cities such as AI-Hajjarah or Shahara with its stone bridge, there is only one city gate. The external façade provides a natural defense.

The stony narrow streets, worn to a polished flatness over the centuries, lead to the dusky, intriguing souk, the market area. The usual associations of time and space evaporate as the character and culture of the land sift through to the senses.

The landscape though harsh, instills a sense of harmony.

The villages giving, at the same time, the impression of being both aloof and inviting. All cities in this area whether Hajjah, Mahwiet or Menakha, have good road connections and can be reached in an hour or two.

Towards the South of Yemen the city of Taiz dominates with its majestic Mosques.

Tihama     Africa in Yemen

Like large snakes the two main roads wind and coil their way westwards into the highland area stretching to the Red Sea. It is not a long drive but the climb is considerable, and the traveler has the impression of experiencing climate changes and indeed those of another continent: the humidity in the air rises and the straw decked houses in the plains are reminiscent of Africa. Bananas, papayas and lemons grow in the valleys and the unveiled women can be seen in their colourful clothes.

The sandy flat area stretching along the coast of the Red Sea is called Tihama. The modern city of Hodeidah is a good starting point for excursions. As everywhere in Yemen, here is a synthesis of nature and history: Zabid had a university as early as the eight century.

Today the ruins of Mocha still stand proud in the sand dunes as testimony to the bygone greatness of the coastal town. From here coffee was transported to Europe for hundreds of years.

The bustling life in the region of Tihama today is strikingly colourful, more so than the rest of Yemen.

Whether that be in the fishing port of Hodeidah, with its brightly painted boats, or in the bustling largest market of Yemen, in Beith al Faquih. Untouched white sandy beaches with palms and small fishing villages invite one to take a rest. Directly north of Hodeidah behind the Ras Isa peninsula are many small islands basking in turquoise coloured water, a paradise for divers.

South Coast

The narrow sea passage of Bab al Mandeb is only 25 miles wide - with Djibouti, Africa, on the other side. This stretch of water, known as the "Gate of Tears" saw the transportation of many slaves. This is where the Red Sea ends and the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea starts, leading to the Indian Ocean,

380 miles of sandy beach stretches between the old port of Mukalla and the Economic centre of Aden. East of Mukalla is a similar stretch of uninhabited land interspersed with fishing villages such as Shir, Sayhut and Gheida.

Hot springs give witness to the power of nature and volcanoes often protrude directly from the sea, as by the village Bir Ali, west of Mukalla.

From the coal black ground, bright green forces through to demonstrate continuing life. The ancient frankincense harbour of Qana once stood here, and a scattering of still standing walls bear testimony to this historic past. Qana was founded as early as the second century before Christ.

A short distance from the coast, cities such as Habban have hidden themselves from the world. When the dusk starts to draw its veil over the city of Habban, with its closely built, high clay houses standing out against the majestic back drop of the mountains, one is reminded of a dream from a thousand and one Arabian nights.

Hadramaut

The sandy desert of the rub al-khali, the "Empty Quarter" intrudes into thr South of the Arabian peninsula. Short of the Indian Ocean it ends in a moonlike landscape, table mountains and rocks shimmering in the heat. It is difficult to imagine that people could live here. And yet, suddenly,

in this barren wilderness, appears a green valley. It is one of the oldest inhabited areas, with an established culture: the Wadi Hadramut.

Nearly the whole World had been discovered, but it was only in 1935 that the explorer Hans Helfritz made a journey into the Hadramut. It remained a very remote, almost sealed area until the reuniting of Yemen in 1990. Helfritz, so astounded by what he saw in the city of Shibam, described it as the "Chicago of the desert". Densely built skyscrapers with nine floors had existed here for more than five hundred years. Typically built from clay as indeed the massive Sultan palace in Sayun. The city of Tarim is renowned for the tallest minaret on the Arabian peninsula.

The architecture of the Hadramaut is to be found throughout the area, occasionally with some Asian influence. During the past century many merchants travelled as far as India and Java.

The green valley of the Hadramaut spreads itself between the steep craggy slopes of the Table Mountains and the artistic cities, and bears witness to a deeply religious culture. Domed graves serve as a resting place for many religious figures buried here. The surrounds of the Hadramaut gives the visitor a feeling of being in a paradise on Earth.

Islands:

For the travelers seeking isolation, unspoilt, white sand beaches, amazing scouba diving sites, and a high level of endmism of  palnts birds, Socotra, Kamaran, and Honaish are where you should be. Tours to these islands are perfect for travelers with interests in Biodiversity and marine activities.