By Nawal Al-Hakimi ~
If the world’s imagination gazes out upon “Yemen,” the first mind’s eye is one of disaster and war. But to reach the destination is to journey through an even more—tale of unrivaled scenery majesty, of vast history, and cultural paradox. Yemen is a nation in which ancient tradition clashes with Olympian landscape, forcing the visitor to look beyond headline-width newspaper page masthead bloodshed and discover its treasure secrets.
A World of Wonders: Oceans, Mountains, and the Jaw-Dropping Socotra Archipelago
Yemen, at a geographical midpoint of the Arabian Peninsula, is fertile ground for scenery contrast on an awe-inspiring scale. Beyond the Sarawat range of mountains rise dramatically upwards out of emerald valleys, Red Sea and Arabian Sea coastlines hide secret beaches and sea biological diversity.
Most symbolic national marvel of the country is Socotra Archipelago, or “Galápagos of Arabia.” World Heritage Socotra has become an internet hit due to its otherworldly nature and wildlife, including fabled Dragon’s Blood tree with crown-crowned crown and blood-colored sap. Tourists in Socotra can ascend to isolated beaches, sapphire blue sea perfect for snorkeling, and strange kind of ecosystem of our planet. (More about nature of Socotta at UNESCO Socotra).
A Pilgrimage Through Time: Shibam, and Sana’a, the Ancient
The actual Sana’a, the first to be added to the UNESCO World Heritage, is a glass colors stained-color paint and mud-brick miraculously adorned skyscraper facade. Heaven-high window-hopping and old Sana’a is reading an eternal book on history in which yesterday’s stories are revealed by each alley. Souks of every color and ancient mosques are planes of existence and tradition within reach of natives in a form to help them understand them. (Read history of Sana’a on UNESCO Sana’a).
Shibam on the outskirts of Sana’a has been affectionately referred to as a “Manhattan of the Desert” due to its stunning vertical desert cityscape of tower-skyscraper-like 16th-century mud-brick towers. Buildings of stature were not just tolerated but even welcomed to withstand the desert climate and prove Yemeni cleverness. Walking down Shibam streets is walking on a display of human cleverness and toughness in attempt desert. (More of Shibam amazements: UNESCO Shibam).
Trails of Tradition: Trekking the Haraz Mountains
The highest climb Yemen Yemen trekking routes best suited for trekkers are Yemen’s Haraz Mountains. Indeed, bordering road walking, paths disappear and trudge along mountain slope side of a chain of farms of terracing—agrarian farmstead farming by generation-span producers. The hikes are not only full of Yemen’s spectacular views but of possibility of contact with earth and with those who’ve toiled it, cherished it, loved it, cared for it. (Haraz hiking facts: Lonely Planet Yemen).
Stunning Yemeni Hospitality and Culinary Adventures
It would not be fulfilled without its divine food, any Yemen journey. Vegetables and fruits chopped, strong spices, dry bread like fahsa and salta are available in bazaars, and food is spices-loaded for which Yemeni culture is world-famous everywhere in the world. World-famous Yemenis’ hospitality anywhere found; guests are warmly welcomed to people’s houses where food is hot and unforgettable. (Buy Yemeni food at TasteAtlas)
Rediscovering the Yemeni Spirit
Its world record-breaking adversity, Yemen is nevertheless thriving where others have given up, its cultures and landscapes a testament to a spirit that will not be lost in crisis.
Yemen’s best-kept secrets—its mountains and old cities, its strange diversity and living heritage—are a tale of survival, hope, and beauty.
To the curious mind ready to venture beyond the headlines, Yemen is a world of strife and not of magic and wonder, and where the mystic invites the world to come and learn of its thousand-year heritage and still-unexpored riches.
