Deepak Chopra's new book

Little bit amazed by the background picture of Deepak Chopra's new book: The Future of God...

Picture seems to made by Gabriela Rangel, thanks!

Clearly the beauty of the island act as a real "magnet" to all of us...

Today is the 50 years Socotra anniversary of my dear friend John Farrar!

Exactly 50 year ago John Farrar touched ground on Socotra Island!

He was the first ever to make radio connection from the island to the rest of the world (read http://www.johnfarrar.plus.com/) and did it recently again with another radio lover on the island (see http://www.qrz.com/db/7O2A).

Congrats John and many thanks to make me share the moment!

GAS SHORTAGE: RESIDENTS IN SOCOTRA ARE LOGGING TREES FOR WOOD

The fuel crisis that led locals to start logging began in June when the state-run Yemen LNG Gas Corporation, run by Yemen’s Ministry of Oil, ceased providing fuel shipments to the Al-Aisi Organization for Investment and Commerce, also known as Raha, according to Salem Dahaq, director of the Hadibou District, home to Hadibou city, the capital of Socotra. The organization, owned by business mogul and former chairman of the Yemeni Football Federation, Ahmed Al-Aisi, is Socotra’s sole fuel provider according to Dahaq. It is responsible for transportation of fuel from mainland Yemen to Socotra, and distribution of fuel supplies to citizens on the island.  

All details here: http://www.yementimes.com/en/1839/report/4652/Gas-shortage-Residents-in-Socotra-are-logging-trees-for-wood.htm

When did people visit Socotra for the first time?

We don't know exactly of course, but based on new Russian Fieldwork 2008-2012 it seems to stretch back in time to the Oldowan?


See https://cloud.mail.ru/public/584d5c74a33b/zhukov-sokotra.pdf

SKP meets MECET in Dubai

Recently I had the opportunity to meet up with Will Hardie from the MECET in Dubai.
We discussed some possible future collaboration concerning cave exploration on Socotra.

Insh Allah we find a period which fits for all, for a well prepared underground expedition on the island.

We even had a glimpse of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai... a sign for a fruitful collaboration.

Musandam (Oman) does hold some speleothems, so caves are waiting to be discovered!

During my last visit to Musandam I did discover some interesting speleothems, so finding caves to explore is just a matter of persistence, unfortunately time is lacking...

Friends of Soqotra 2014 meeting – XIII Annual General FoS Meeting

For your information, the next FoS Annual meeting will take place in Rome, go check here for all details!
The "theme" of this year is:
“BIODIVERSITY AND CULTURE OF SOQOTRA: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY OUTLOOK ON THE ISLAND’S PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE”

Great to see all the "Socotra - Addicts" together!

Qat trade banned in Socotra's capital

SANA’A, June 10—On Sunday local Socotran authorities banned the qat trade in Hadibo, the capital city of Arkhabeel Socotra governorate, and ordered qat shops to be moved out of the city...

The complete article can be found, here in the Yemen Times.