A Trip to Yemen
After reading one of hauteboy's many epic trip reports, I was inspired to see abit more of my local 'neighbourhood':).
So when a four day weekend was coming up, I managed to organise a few days visiting Yemen. My previous trip report's are below: A Trip To Afghanistan http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...yrgyzstan.html A Trip Around The Arabian Gulf All visitors to Yemen have to book through a local travel operator. I booked my trip through Arabian Voyages, and can definitely recommend them:). |
After leaving Dubai at 7:15am, the 2.5 hour flight landed at 8:45am local time.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3768/1...2ca10492_o.jpg After exchanging my visa letter for a the real one in my passport, I was through to customs at Sana'a International. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7348/1...48ea2ec6_o.jpg With my passport stamped I had officially entered Yemen:). http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7368/1...4c645ec5_o.jpg I was picked up at the airport by my driver Mr Abdul Hameed and guide, Mr. Mohammed. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7445/1...054245ba_o.jpg It was Friday morning (i.e. the Islamic 'Sunday') but the streets were still quite busy. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3823/1...0cbbbbf8_o.jpg We the headed to the nearby village of Wadi Dhar. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7410/1...027e11c9_o.jpg On the corner. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5520/1...5b04bda3_o.jpg Girl & family. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5516/1...03364705_o.jpg The kids were happy to see a weird looking guy with a camera, so would come up saying "Soura, Soura", or photo in arabic:). http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5518/1...3e649c3b_o.jpg And even the adults too:). http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3697/1...a8b10d1f_o.jpg |
The village houses were all in the traditional Yemeni style, and was quite a sight to walk around in, especially after jumping off the plane from Dubai:).
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5482/1...f8b3b1f0_o.jpg Mens typical clothing was a thobe, or 'Zenneh', along with a suit jacket on top. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3666/1...fde2c28b_o.jpg Smile and a frown:). http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7364/1...d7e2c3eb_o.jpg Family. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5532/1...90f2a2d2_o.jpg Next to the village was the Dar Al Hajar, or Rock Palace, where the old ruler of Yemen, Imam Yahya, used to reside. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5532/1...8af292cf_o.jpg On Friday's in the palace compound the local men gather for traditional dancing. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3775/1...5cb842f1_o.jpg Near the top of the Rock Palace looking west. Note the dancing on the lower left. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5525/1...0319f3b8_o.jpg And looking east. The tree's on the far right are Khat, the local narcotic of choice. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7358/1...7c2f359f_o.jpg One of the colourful windows inside the palace. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3772/1...6b7343c6_o.jpg The balcony on top where the Imam used to relax. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7381/1...1628db2a_o.jpg |
The 700 year old tree at the base of the palace.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5539/1...b1db5af7_o.jpg Roast corn vendor:). http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2869/1...23ab0ba6_o.jpg We then drove up to look at the valley below. The Rock Palace, is just in the upper left. Apparently fruits & vegetables used to be grown in the valley, but has been largely turned over to the cultivation of khat as it is more profitable. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5491/1...8196baed_o.jpg We then headed back to Sana'a and checked into my hotel in the old city, and was also built in traditional Yemeni style. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7299/1...d5d6f1a1_o.jpg The room was nice and clean and pretty good for $30 a night:). http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2891/1...238e95a8_o.jpg We then went out for a walk to get some lunch. Some locals about to have an afternoon munch:). http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3719/1...786891c7_o.jpg A cup of tea and a bag of khat. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3781/1...ed97af7c_o.jpg Handbags. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7455/1...3bc372d9_o.jpg At the restaurant we went to for lunch, which was famous for its roast chicken:). http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7426/1...6f744934_o.jpg Lunch for three:) http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5501/1...f77782f6_o.jpg |
Mohammed adding some spices to the tomato & yoghurt.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3801/1...18ff2a15_o.jpg I normally have to ask/hassle to take people's photo's, so was great to be asked first:). http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3825/1...3d1313d2_o.jpg After lunch we headed out to the old Jewish village of Bayt Baws. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2876/1...90413423_o.jpg The village was largely abandoned in 1948 when the State of Israel was formed. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5508/1...8c4ba3ae_o.jpg Although still a popular spot for the (few) tourists who visit, no effort is sadly being made to preserve it. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5543/1...6a124422_o.jpg Hence with the exception of a few homes being lived in by poor residents, the village is now slowly disintergrating. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3679/1...49c10dd8_o.jpg Looking out over the now encroaching city of Sana'a. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/1...cc872579_o.jpg The two hills in the distance are named after the arabic word for a ladies bossoms:). http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2863/1...7ff8a613_o.jpg We then walked down to the city below. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3705/1...d8246de7_o.jpg At the bottom, with Bayt Baws in the background. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3802/1...9e9a39bc_o.jpg |
After driving back to the hotel and having a bit of a rest, we headed out into the old city again. At the Bakery:).
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5496/1...541b8e74_o.jpg Some of the local lads:). http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7364/1...19be8d38_o.jpg Bagging charcoal. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3757/1...aa713480_o.jpg A couple of the local ladies. Head to black, including the face covering niqab, was the standard uniform for all ladies in Sana'a. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2807/1...b4580349_o.jpg Me looking out over the old city from the roof of the hotel:). http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3820/1...245baa32_o.jpg Having a chat with a local shopkeeper:). http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3792/1...ce45071e_o.jpg At a tea shop we stopped at for a cuppa. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7336/1...68c23af2_o.jpg I had mine 'Yemeni' style, i.e. with mint leaves and lots of sugar:D. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2841/1...327a1319_o.jpg Some of the locals also enjoying a glass. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3789/1...389b4cf6_o.jpg Beef kebabs for dinner before retiring after a long but very interesting day:). http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3738/1...5048f5ae_o.jpg Tomorrow, off to visit the souk, fish markets and Saleh's Mosque. |
From the Temple of the Queen of Sheba.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7329/1...f94dd59f_o.jpg Mohammed then took me up to the top of an old hotel that had closed for a look over the city again:). http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7297/1...b6e226ac_o.jpg Back down in the old city, a Camel:). We would see him later again, hard at work grinding sesame seeds:). http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7423/1...2caf0688_o.jpg The 1,000 year old Bab Al-Yemen (Gate of Yemen). http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2881/1...045fa633_o.jpg A man singing religious tunes just inside the gate. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2831/1...a6f7e728_o.jpg Nuts & candy:). http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2886/1...afb99c77_o.jpg In the old city markets. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7395/1...2e1dd28c_o.jpg Stopping for some Naqe'e Al Zabib, a cold raisin drink. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5520/1...07ef0a06_o.jpg Quite tasty:)! http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7402/1...8b6cc3bb_o.jpg Groceries:). http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7336/1...23a638fd_o.jpg |
Shopping.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5509/1...7f0c8a66_o.jpg Eggs to go:). http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3814/1...b23a48a0_o.jpg We then jumped in a share taxi to catch a ride out to the fish markets for lunch. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7364/1...8b32d64a_o.jpg Fresh from the Red Sea:). http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3667/1...757a9331_o.jpg After buying some fish, shrimp & crab, we took it to be cooked. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3682/1...5a873262_o.jpg The next batch ready to eat:). http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3667/1...01d2a0d7_o.jpg An Al-Akhdam girl waiting for some lunch:). http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7350/1...78243f94_o.jpg Our lunch finally ready to eat:) http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5504/1...c0f6a818_o.jpg Stopping for some water:). http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7445/1...eecba1d4_o.jpg Being close to Africa, there were quite a few Somali migrants in Sana'a. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7404/1...9bee9053_o.jpg |
Missing people from the various conflicts in Yemen.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/1...314cd21e_o.jpg In the afternoon we went out to Al Saleh Mosque, one of the largest in the world and cause of some controversy. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5548/1...0ac490a9_o.jpg Inside were 99 lanterns, for the different names of God. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3802/1...47bc994d_o.jpg We then headed back into the old city. For the second night, I was upgraded to the Dawood hotel:). http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7456/1...28d344ac_o.jpg After a rest at the hotel, we headed into the old city again, first to the metal working area. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7393/1...692f741d_o.jpg Angle iron & rebar:). http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2847/1...e7a51ee8_o.jpg Welder. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7356/1...49240892_o.jpg Hammer & Anvil. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2868/1...00db1e50_o.jpg Garlic & beans. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7370/1...e3f30662_o.jpg Sandals & Shoes. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7331/1...9e2c9521_o.jpg |
On the corner.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2872/1...324cc5ec_o.jpg Black dress. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3694/1...c13af858_o.jpg More ladies out shopping. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2836/1...6937a3af_o.jpg Sussing out a Jambiya to take home:). http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5505/1...0db5977b_o.jpg Gold. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3750/1...fdd9dd8a_o.jpg We then went up to a rooftop restaurant to see the sun set. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2875/1...6ba50c38_o.jpg Some of the more affluent locals, and perhaps more liberal, without the face covering niqab. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5537/1...53a24ee6_o.jpg The camel we saw earlier, now doing laps to crush/grind sesame seeds for the oil:). http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5519/1...6fe5a757_o.jpg Cut-throat:). http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2878/1...577fb257_o.jpg Another of the locals with the khat cheek bulge:). http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7295/1...2613ef89_o.jpg |
Honda 600.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5478/1...22211be1_o.jpg Khat dealing. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3744/1...afeca7d2_o.jpg Suits:). http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7358/1...f133ceeb_o.jpg Street vendor. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2809/1...dd41342e_o.jpg At a street market for dinner. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5543/1...8f466589_o.jpg Having a feed after a long day:). http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5536/1...a101f84f_o.jpg Tomorrow, into the countryside to visit the villages of Thula, Hababah, Kawkaban & Shibam. |
Breakfast on day 3 at the Dawood Hotel...
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7410/1...6a136aa2_o.jpg ...and the cool view:). The hotel was right beside a communal garden in the old city. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5478/1...54fb982d_o.jpg After picking up our Police permits, we headed out into the country side. An old village built on a rocky outcrop. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5522/1...6d80bc08_o.jpg Some teenagers off to school:). http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3817/1...4619b642_o.jpg Looking down into the valley. The terrain was quite dry and rocky, but still with some agriculture. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5542/1...c17dbd3a_o.jpg Stopping to buy some Khat:). Thankfully Khat sellers were keen for a group shot, and even invited us for lunch:). Unfortunately with the busy day ahead however, we had to regretfully decline. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2854/1...c62577ca_o.jpg Two local boys keen for a 'Soura':). http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7409/1...7f36f3ca_o.jpg The old town of Thula, and one of five towns in Yemen on the tentative UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5485/1...2978304a_o.jpg The town water supply for washing, feeding animals etc. You can see a lady near the steps carrying a bucket on her head. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7440/1...99e51518_o.jpg We then set off for a hike across the countryside. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7303/1...d17092d2_o.jpg |
A farmer and his donkey carrying some of the latest harvest:).
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3755/1...fa8de5d8_o.jpg Another farmer with his trusty stead:). http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5508/1...a49f3d30_o.jpg The main crop grown is Sorghum. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3692/1...b057a53f_o.jpg The Sorghum is a grain used for bread. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3708/1...39feca87_o.jpg We hiked for about an hour at an easy pace, enjoying the views and scenery. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7348/1...dba47a9a_o.jpg Our next stop, the village of Hababah. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3759/1...7c121a7a_o.jpg Some locals hanging out by the town reservoir. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3741/1...8b981d25_o.jpg Another donkey:). http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2888/1...35c02fe5_o.jpg Some kids who wanted a photo taken by the weird looking visitor:D. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2820/1...b56d071c_o.jpg We then stopped for lunch. My driver, Mr. Hameed and my guide Mohammed. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7369/1...e7294909_o.jpg |
We then set off again in the car, driving up the mountains, and stopped to admire the Wadi below. The carefully planted trees are khat.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3703/1...5839356b_o.jpg At the top, we stopped for a visit to the ancient town of Kawkaban. The elevation was about 2800 meters, so quite cool in the late afternoon. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3778/1...ea5ce6a7_o.jpg An old lady in the town. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2891/1...ae3a83db_o.jpg The view from the town was amazing, and could see the town of Shibam below, and Thula & Hababah in the top left. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3813/1...ef81a280_o.jpg There was lots of graffiti or propaganda about. Not all the locals were keen on it however, and had tried to remove some of it. The words on the right roughly translate to "If you try and remove the graffiti, you are pro-US". http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7299/1...a96db7b9_o.jpg We then walked down from Kawkaban, descending down into the village of Shibam. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3677/1...ce0652f0_o.jpg A local boy in Shibam. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5491/1...63b448e3_o.jpg Some more graffiti, and was a bit of an eye-sore on the beautiful building. Roughly translates as 'God is great, death to Israel, death to USA, Jews, freedom for Islam'. http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5546/1...784a744d_o.jpg My guide Mohammed with a local lady in the background. http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2805/1...211ecd7a_o.jpg Some more of the local kids facinated with the camera I was carrying about:D. After a long day exploring the countryside, we headed back to Sana'a at about 5pm. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3686/1...386e4453_o.jpg |
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