72 hours in Socotra and 24 hours in Mukalla [Archives:2005/831/Last Page]

By Amin Dirhem
For the Yemen Times
Since Yemeni unification, I have been longing to visit the Island of Socotra but it was not until this month that I was able to visit it.

I read a lot and watched films about Socotra but it was even better than I expected.

Roads are paved and asphalted according to international standards.

I visited the natural sanctuaries defined under the Republican Decree No. 277 of the year 2000.

On the island, the Environment Protection Authority has set up its own bureau in the capital city of the Island, Hadiboh.

There is also the Socotra Development and Protection Project which works enthusiastically to protect the local environment and achieve sustainable development.

I found unmatched tourist attractions on shore and in the mountains.

There are indigenous trees and birds that cannot be found anywhere else.

There is a cave in the upper portion of the mountain extending for three kilometers.

It has the potential to be a very significant tourist attraction.

Along the land from Mouri near the capital Hadiboh, the runway stretches proud of its international standards.

The airport, however, needs to be supplied with equipment so that it receives different airplanes from different international destinations.

The government should permit international planes to land on Socotra airport in order to promote it.

If this is done, the island will beat Sharm al-Sheikh, Sishel Archipelago, and other famous tourist resorts.

We should make use of others' experiences and avoid repeating their mistakes.

I perceived that price of tourist tickets for foreigners reach $US317 while a ticket plus one-week accommodation at a five-star hotel in Kuala Lumpur costs $700-800 and on the same airline, Yemenia.

The Company should reconsider its prices in order to encourage tourists and foreigners residing in Yemen to visit Socotra.

I call on Yemeni, Arab and foreign investors to come and invest on this island as its future is very promising particularly in environmental tourism.

They must, however, adopt international standards to preserve biodiversity.

Hadiboh is the capital of the Island. Nice buildings are emerging, including four two-star and three-star hotels.

It is painful to see that the city is not clean.

Cleanliness is a major issue and infrastructure should be provided for such as water, electricity, sanitary disposal network and urban planning.

The area of the Island is estimated at 3650 square kilometers extending for 135 kilometers from east to west and 42 kilometers from north to south.

The population is between 40 and 50 thousand people.

The lowest temperature degree ranges between 17-25 and the highest 27-37 and the temperature peaks in May. Strong winds last between June and September annually and heavy rains fall in October and November.

Socotra's people are very friendly and modest.

They look forward to knowing the new with a sincere spirit.

They have a special language in the spoken form only called Socotri language.

They also speak fluent Arabic.

I other problem that I observed was the number of people chewing qat in the capital Hadibo and also in the mountains.

I asked them how qat is transported to the island and they told me that Yemenia transports qat twice a week from Sana'a to Socotra and they chew qat the whole week.

Isn't it awful that qat is transported by government carrier to this clean virgin island to spoil the Socotrais who should be kept away from qat.

I urge Yemenia to stop transporting qat to Socotra which will keep the new

generation of Soctora very healthy and away from such a bad habit as well as keep the island clean in very respect.

On my way home, I stopped in al-Mukalla and found that despite the excellent works such as streets and corniches, Mukalla lacks public parks and children's playgrounds.

I suggest to the governor not to forget the cultural aspect.

It is needed to establish a modern theatre as well as a public library and two cinemas accessed by the public throughout the year.

There is only one good cultural center bearing the name of great singer Abu Bakr Salem Bal-Faqih who deserves such a token of respect.

During my stay in Shahr, I tried to visit the Museum of renown poet Hussein al-Mihdhar but I was told it had been closed officially since the day of its inauguration.

I would like the governor to order the Museum to be opened to the public and to add the names of artists Juma'ah Khan and Bakathir to the name of the museum.

It is perceived during the recent years that there has been a healthy competition among capitals of provinces across the country.

In this regard, I have some comments, which I hope would please the concerned authorities:

Establish a tradition of annual contest among Yemeni cities for the title, for instance, “The Cleanest Yemeni City” or “The Nicest Yemeni City.”

Arbitrators should be experts and should set up standards and conditions for the contest as well as the assessment.

Money allotment should be taken from the budget of local cleanliness funds to cover the expenses.

Assessment and announcement of the winner city is to be in May every year and the prize is holding the festivals of the Reunification Anniversary in the honored city each next year.

During the one-year period, the city shall have enough time to prepare itself for the great anniversary.
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