Wow. Another amazing report to a much maligned, rarely visited country! What extraordinary photos as well!

Really really amazing shots - tell us, what are you using for a camera?

Also, what is the controversy around the Al Saleh Mosque?

THANK YOU SO MUCH! This is one of my favorite trip reports I've read on this forum.

Didn't see a synagogue, although it has been abandoned for 60+ years, and some buildings have now collapsed. Not sure about the Jews leaving (long time ago I guess), but here is some good info.

No points for the hotel, but breakfast was included:D.

Thanks, sky303:).

Thank you:).

Just a Canon 5D3 with a 17-40mm zoom, and 24mm & 50mm primes.

The expense of the mosque in the poorest country in the Arab world has raised some concern:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/mid...st/7745708.stm

I would love to go to Yemen but would be too terrified to go.

Fascinating pictures.

Farbster

On You tube there are a few videos of remaining Jews still in Yemen and synagogues.

Really incredible pictures. How welcoming are they to Western visitors?

I often think of one of ironmanjt's quotes with regard to this:):

"I have essentially two choices: take the risk of going out doing a big adventure, or risk the “heart attack on the couch eating ice cream” approach".

Very welcoming, was quite amazing to have random strangers coming up to me and wanting to shake my hand and say hello:). Very genuine too, quite refreshing after going to Morocco, where the locals are sick of the tourists, or Egypt, where they often seem to want to bilk you:).

And you hold a US, UK or similar passport? Any difficulties obtaining the visa?

I have UK & NZ passports, and used my NZ one for Yemen, not sure if it matters though. Arabian Voyages organised the visa for me, and just sent me a visa letter through email which I printed out and exchanged for a visa sticker on arrival at Sana'a airport. The govt periodically stop issuing visa's sometimes due to security reasons, but I had no problems for my trip.

Stunning stunning photos and glad I was an inspiration for your visit!! :D Yes Yemen is incredibly photogenic and the people love to have their photograph taken! We were also at Dar al Hajar on a Friday and saw the dancers there. Sky was a lot clearer than our visit! (was very hazy before rainy season)

Thanks, hauteboy:)! It was just at the beginning of November, so not too hot and not too cold:).

Thanks again for your TR's, makes dreaming and planning my own travels so much easier when you get to see someone else's daring adventures:).

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing your great photos and story!

Great questions, farbster, and terrific report DanielW! To the questions, I would add:

"God is great, death to Israel, death to USA, Jews, freedom for Islam'."

Did your guide, driver or anyone else you encountered seem to share these sentiments, or did it seem to be a case of overrepresentation of the views of an extremist minority?

Overrepresentation of an extremist minority by/in the Western media. Everyone was very friendly and surprised to see tourists.

Yah, I didn't get that sense at all. In fact, I got the sense from those I encountered that they recognized that those tourists who do still come to Yemen are in no way representative of, ah, shall we say the questionable actions of some governments in that country. That we are those open minded persons who go experience the place without prejudice.

That being said...I absolutely used my Irish and not my US passport.

And I was there during the first week of October and, other than being dusty and dry, temperature was perfect, both in Sanaa and in the mountains.