The Socotra Karst Project

Fire on wadi Dibnhe Oasis

2011-06-19T19:18:00.003+02:00

From Ahmed Saeed:

After the rain last month, we have fire on wadi DIBNHE the fire so big start yesterday June 18, 2011 at 7am morning to 5pm afternoon.

Many people from Hadibo and the Army helped to assuage the fire, they use water pumps some people buy new pumps just for take down the fire, but because of the wind the work was so difficult.

The fire start from one garden of palm trees, when a woman was cleaned her palm trees garden from the dead leaves, collect them and make fire of the waste (bush) dead leaves. The wind spread the fire to her palm trees and to the others palm tree on other gardens. The density of palms in the area and the strong monsoon help the fire to spread very fast.

There are many damages, first of all hundred of palm trees which is full of date, 3 fishermen boats which where kept under the palm trees because of windy season and hundreds of fences. On the other side the environmental problem from dying of many insects, reptiles, palm trees crabs and destroying of habitats for birds and many other organisms.

Female guides welcome visitors to Socotra

2011-06-02T15:16:00.000+02:00

The quiet life of the fishermen’s village of Terbak got new stimulus when tourists started coming to visit a cave located on its tribal land. Overlooking the northern coast of Soqotra island, Hoq Cave is a more than 3 km long karst formation with beautiful stalagmites, stalactite curtains and a lake at the very end. Hundreds of tourists don’t hesitate to hike for over an hour across difficult terrain to enjoy the cave’s charm.

After the Socotra Eco-tourism Society, founded by the UNDP Socotra Conservation and Development Programme in 2003, included Hoq Cave in their tourist itinerary, local guides were needed. For the last three years, guiding services in Terbak have been organized in a way that allows all the local inhabitants to share in the profits. Guides take regular turns, and from the YR 4,000 earned for each journey to the cave and back, YR 1,000 goes to the community and the rest to the guide’s family. Similar benefit-sharing works run in many other areas on the island, and together with community-run eco-campsites, create an economic system directing income from tourism to poor local communities.

But what you will not see anywhere else but in Terbak is that local women also guide the tourists.

READ MORE HERE

Socotra in Nature Middle East‏

2011-05-25T14:27:00.001+02:00

Latest short note on Socotra with relation to the current events in Yemen and a follow-up from our conservation paper, in the new scientific online portal Nature Middle East, for your interest:

Insular biodiversity in a changing world
http://www.nature.com/nmiddleeast/2011/110525/full/nmiddleeast.2011.61.html

15 pirates arrived to Deleisha village with their small boat last week offering locals money in order to get fuel.

2011-04-16T14:52:00.002+02:00

Locals welcomed them and asked them to stay overnight before they get the fuel next morning. Early morning, police and army arrived to the place and arrested the pirates. Since there was no response from their colleagues and their ship had run out of fuel, three other pirates who were waiting in the ship arrived in Socotra sea port. The army caught them too including the ship which had a Yemeni flag.

Friends of Soqotra Ten Years - Annual Meeting Bern 2011‏

2011-04-07T14:39:00.002+02:00

Dear visitor,

We would like to announce the date and place for the 10th FoS AGM, planned for September 23-25th in Bern, Switzerland, kindly hosted this year by Dr Eike Neubert.

10th FoS AGM Invitation
Ten years ago, Friends of Soqotra (FoS) was established, a non-profit charity organization initiated and maintained by a number of volunteers, for the promotion of the sustainable use and conservation of the natural and cultural environment of the Soqotra Archipelago (Yemen). The Friends of Soqotra Annual Meeting is one of the organization’s main activities. The annual meeting provides a platform where people of all ages and nationalities are welcome and where ideas can be exchanged. It enhances communication between groups and individuals involved or interested in the island, transferred to Soqotra through the Tayf newsletter. FoS is now a decade young. During this time, Soqotra underwent strong changes and threats to the natural and cultural heritage have increased. FoS would like to continue its commitment and maintain promotion of the international communication between groups involved or interested in Soqotran culture and nature.
We would like to welcome you to the 10th AGM of the FoS, held at the Naturhistorisches Museum der Burgergemeinde Bern, Bern, Switzerland, 23th-25th September 2011, kindly hosted by Dr Eike Neubert.
We hereby invite members of FoS and non-members, people with a wider interest in Soqotra, to attend the lectures and join in the discussions. During the FoS Conference, an update on current issues on Soqotra will be presented, including members from different institutions and with very diverse interests - which has always lead to fruitful discussions in the past, interaction and communication between international groups visiting the island.
Details on the venue will be sent in a next circular. We invite presentations. If you feel interested, please send a topic of your talk (open to anything regarding Soqotra) and a few lines to AGM 2011 Steering Committee BEFORE June 6, 2011, or to our host, Dr Eike Neubert at eike.neubert@nmbe.ch. Based on this, we will prepare a programme. If certain of attending, please forward your schedule of arrival and departure as well. For requests/questions, please contact the Steering Committee. Note that FoS cannot reimburse expenses for travel or accommodation costs and hope you can cover this by expense of your institute or individually. A programme will follow in June and the FoS is open to a wide public and we look forward to seeing new faces every year, anyone interested in attending talks about ongoing research on Socotra in any field, updates and meeting others that are active on the island. Membership is not required for attending the meeting.
with best

Kay Van Damme,
FoS Chairman

Three dozens of Socotri tourist guides and drivers participated in a waste management training delivered by Dr. Mounir Bushra Mina

2011-03-10T15:00:00.000+01:00

Three dozens of Socotri tourist guides and drivers participated in a waste management training delivered by Dr. Mounir Bushra Mina, an Egyptian waste management specialist, on March 9, 2011 in Hadibo
Dr. Mina has been engaged by QUDRAT project of the Italian Cooperation to make an assessment of current solid waste situation on Socotra and to recommend a new solid waste management system for the island.

The topic of the training drew a keen attention of its audience working in tourism industry. A discussion following an introductory lecture included many serious questions and was concluded by identifying the most important issues related to waste management on Socotra. This last part of the meeting was requested by tourist guides themselves who feel that uncontrolled polluting of Socotra is not only harmful for the nature but also for their business.

Past and present human impacts on the biodiversity of Socotra Island (Yemen): Implications for future conservation

2011-02-16T23:19:00.003+01:00

Just to let you know that "THE SOCOTRA CONSERVATION ARTICLE: Past and present human impacts on the biodiversity of Socotra Island (Yemen): Implications for future conservation" by Kay Van Damme and Lisa Banfield just got published in the Zoology in the Middle East, Special Issue 3 (2011), currently free to download from http://www.kasparek-verlag.de!

World's Biggest Cave?

2011-01-11T14:24:00.000+01:00

Straight from karstworlds and National Geographic
Britisch team led by Howard Limbert discovered what they claim to be the biggest cave in the world in a remote part of Vietnam.

A photography and filming crew from National Geographic Channel joined the team in 2010 on a 20 day expedition into Hang Son Doong ("Mountain River Cave").

Together with an international team of scientists they hiked deep into the jungle of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and descened into the abyss to find out the thruth: Is this cave really bigger then Deer Cave (Malaysia), the current record holder?

You can read the report of the expedion in the January 2011 edition of the National Geographic Magazine both in paper version as well as online. On the NGC website you can also find a nice picture gallery and an interactive map of Hang Son Doong.

The documentary "World's biggest cave" will be aired the first time in Europe on January 30th at 21.00 (GMT+1). You can find the trailer below:

And the 3D topographical map:

Best wishes for all!

2011-01-03T22:46:00.002+01:00

Dear reader,

Now that this blog got updated for 2010, we can freshly start with this year.
Insh Allah, our new website about a decade of cave exploration and research of the Soqotran Underground will be put online later this year. SKP is still ongoing and our new Scope of Work of SKP10 is getting shape. We will keep you posted right here!

Best wishes, good heatlh, friendship, prosperity and happiness, especially to all our friends on Soqotra.

Messed up?

2010-12-30T22:40:00.001+01:00

If you are totally “messed up” and still in need of a gift for under your tree, why not waste your money on this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h68adwH3VVM

Socotra Governance & Biodiversity Project 2010 achievements

2010-12-29T22:30:00.001+01:00

Bohdana Rambouskova, Communication Officer of the Socotra Governance & Biodiversity Project, put the SGBP 2010 achievements on you tube:

Concern as Yemen ecotourism grows

2010-12-23T21:59:00.002+01:00

Is ecotourism just a nicer word for tourism?
Hopefully the succes of the island is not going the start working contraproductive?

Saving rare plants from extinction in Socotra

2010-12-23T21:42:00.002+01:00

Adeeb Hadeeb, 65, exploited his piece of land in Socotra to build arboretum to save rare Socotri plants from extinction. He has planted more than 20,000 saplings in the land although he has no regular income or any salary.

More to read in the Yemen Times

For what it is worth...

2010-12-23T21:36:00.000+01:00

The Yemen Observer, not immediately high quality, delivers again an article which needs interpretation and fantasy to reconstruct reality, perhaps just this makes it interesting?

Russian documentary films, covering their Socotra work of the last decade(s)

2010-12-20T10:35:00.003+01:00

Vladimir Aganof informs us about a Russian documentary film, covering their Socotra work of the last decade(s). More info at REN-TV (MSK)

Premiere of a documentary film by Vladimir Melnik

"SOCOTRA: UNKNOWN TALE" scheduled from 20th to 22th December in "Unknown Planet" Program on the REN-TV Russian channel (Moscow).

The film tells the story of daily life and heritage of Socotran hermits, of the tale of "Two Brothers" from the library of Pharaoh Seti, which is told to Socotran children at night, of incense of Socotra, its exotics and much more. It presents the most authoritative expert opinions of leading Russian experts on Socotra, the recent sensational discovery of Socotra's "Oldowan Mariners' culture"more than 1.5 million years ago.
The film sounds a real live speech Socotrans, Socotran folklore. Its authoritative opinion about the history and mysteries of Socotra express world-renowned scientists:- Vitaly V. Naumkin - Doctor of History, Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies, the author of books on Socotra,- Alexander Vs. Sedov - Doctor of History, Director General of the State Museum of Oriental Art, Head of the Russian- Yemeni Integrated Expedition,- Khazri A. Amirkhanov - Corresponding Member of RAN, Head of Department of the Stone Age of the Institute of Archeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
The writer of these lines, who has recorded on tape by accident a Socotran tale of "Two Brothers" in 1979 and is an author of a scientific publication of this tale original version in Soqotri in the CLN Journal, also shares his views on several specific issues of the old Socotran times.

Socotra The world’s best secret island... commercial bullshit

2010-12-18T09:09:00.001+01:00

Sad the read this kind of commercialised information:
Yemen Observer

Socotra’s island’s memorable guides

2010-12-16T09:02:00.002+01:00

Of course, it seems obvious that people who were born and torn in a place, should know it best. Even the idea of preservation over short term financial benefit is much more present than elsewhere, we can only support their efforts!
Yemen Times

Species at Yemen island face threat

2010-12-06T08:52:00.004+01:00

The following link to the Al Jazeera website does reflect reality! Hopefully some policymakers might react on this soon, before it is all just another memory.

Media reinvent the wheel

2010-11-19T08:40:00.002+01:00

Quite funny when new species of grasshoppers and crickets are discovered on Socotra, which happens to be THE SAME that we collected about then years ago? So far for "NEWS"? (in Dutch)
Het laatste nieuws (NL)
NOS-nieuws (NL)De Standaard (???) (B)

Cave experiences in 3D!

2010-11-17T08:35:00.001+01:00

Just as we where looking into 3D stuff for during our next expedition, we will never ever be able to tip on this:
http://www.sanctummovie.com/#/videos/

Data from the field!

2010-11-11T08:19:00.003+01:00

These days friends go on holiday and 24h later, you can watch their report on youtube or alike. An example:

Although the report is very nice, it is always informative to check out cave visits.

And I can assure you that this pool (the ONLY pool) inside Hoq Cave IS NOT MEANT TO BE USED AS A DRINKING WATER FACILITY!This is the ONLY habitat known so far of some endemic troglobiontic species, so extremely fragile and valuable.
We can only hope nature will cope with all this change?!

Somalia claims Socotra as its own?

2010-10-30T00:02:00.002+02:00

Somalia claims Socotra as its own.
AllGedo Online and the Yemen Post

Small Grant Projects

2010-10-25T23:52:00.002+02:00

Small Socotra related grants projects on youtube:

Info or not?

2010-10-24T23:45:00.001+02:00

The Yemen Observer and quality reporting???
Beauty & Cleaning

SKP10 pre-expedition meeting

2010-10-15T23:40:00.001+02:00

SKP10 pre-meeting: the team gathered again to discuss the future Scope of Work and actions points to be taken regarding our next expedition. The collaboration with the filming team was not seen as beneficial, so a further partnership is ceased.

Geology Today Backcover

2010-10-10T23:29:00.001+02:00

Quite surprised to see the backside of the Magazine Geology Today, as the text and picture by Tony Waltham of the Erher caves is very familiar (just to let you know that we did EXPLORE and MAPPED ALL the ENTRANCES to be seen!)

MSNBC broadcasts about Socotra

2010-10-07T23:25:00.002+02:00

MSNBC Today News shows the uniqueness of the island. Attention is drawn, bookings can follow?

Underground behaviour ...

2010-10-05T23:49:00.004+02:00

Training and education are the key elements to success… this is just the same underground. Now that “new guides” accompanies tourists through Hoq Cave, awareness is very limited and therefore ignorance is high. Although the picture might seem quite harmless, the next generation will not be acquainted with underground behaviour, very sad in fact as these moments are opportunities for the future of an “unspoiled” archipelago!

AGM FoS at the Exeter University 25-27 September

2010-09-28T23:33:00.003+02:00

This year the Annula General Meeting of the FoS took place at the University of Exeter, hosted by the MARES-project team (Julian Jansen van Rensburg is currently doing his Socotra related Ph.D. here!).
It was marvelleous to see all the participants and splendid lectures.
Below the link to some immages;

FoS 2010 Exeter University UK, AGM

Kick-start to new Socotra administration

2010-09-20T23:15:00.000+02:00

A workshop organised on Sunday by the Soqotra Governance and Biodiversity Project set in motion plans for the establishment of a new special administrative set-up for the islands of Soqotra.
Read the rest in the Yemen Times

The actual Climate of Socotra revealed!

2010-08-08T23:04:00.000+02:00

Finally, thanks to Dr. Paul Scholte who took the lead, my trailing paper of the Climate of Socotra got published in the Journal of Arid Environments. Feel free to download here directly! Inch Allah, some other papers will be published…

Possible collaboration with German production team

2010-07-07T23:03:00.000+02:00

Preliminary correspondence with a German broadcasting team about a possible SKP-documentary partnership is started. As we learned the hard way in the past, chances of a fruitful collaboration are rather slim.

The New "Socotra" Mac Book Pro Skin ???

2010-06-28T16:19:00.001+02:00

Ten years ago unknown to 99,99% of all the human population and today, you can buy your new personalised "Socotra" Mac Book Pro Skin?

What's next people???

Socotra: The Other Galapagos Awaits Tourists

2010-06-23T06:48:00.002+02:00

What Oliver Holmes writes in The Times can be read here.
Just funny to see that the caves are highlighted again. Although, as Tony Waltham made the pictures, the link might be quite direct?

BUT, just be well informed before booking your next holiday to paradise!

Climbing, or hanging around stalactites?

2010-06-07T22:12:00.002+02:00

I try to be neutral, but the benefit of cave exploration compared with "climbing" is not so obscure as one initially might think.
Just enjoy people hanging around Socotra:

A video clip, breathing biodiversity!

2010-06-04T22:30:00.000+02:00

Help for Abd Al Kuri is on the way!

2010-06-01T04:49:00.000+02:00

29th of May 2010.
A boat laden with over 400 tons of relief goods set off from Socotra today towards Abdul-Kuri. The aid includes: food items (rice, flour, dates, tinned food, water); medicines, bedding, clothes, furniture, cooking equipment etc.
The relief effort was funded by the Yemen Economic Association (?) in addition to private sector donations (+ some sort of army support?) and comes as a response to a call for support from the governor of the province, Mr. Salem Alkhanbashi to help the residents of Abdul-Kuri following heavy rains. 2 people were killed, a girl and a woman + livestock were lost.

سفينة محملة بـ (400) طن من المواد الغذائية إلى جزيرة عبد الكوري

السبت - 29 - مايو - 2010 - سقطرى / الثورة نت/مسعد صويلح

انطلقت اليوم من ميناء جزيرة سقطرى السفينة غريب نواس والتي تحمل على متنها أكثر من (400) طن من المواد الغذائية وإنمائية إلى جزيرة عبدالكوري ثاني كبرى جزر أرخبيل سقطرى بعد سقطرى بمحاظة حضرموت. وأوضح الأخ سعد علي سالمين مدير جديبو رئيس المجلس المحلي أن هذه السفينة والمحملة بمختلف المواد الغذائية من أرز وقمحم ودقيق وتمور ومعلبات ومياه بالإضافة إلى الأدوية والفرش والملابس والآثاث وأدوات المطبخ وغيرها, ممولة من قبل المؤسسة الاقتصادية اليمنية والقطاع الخاص واللواء الأول مشاه وجاءت بناء على توجيهات محافظ المحافظة الأخ سالم الخنبشي لمساعد أخواننا وأخواتنا في هذه الجزيرة النائية والتي تحتاج منا جميعا مزيدا من الرعاية والاهتمام . جدير بالذكر أن جزيرة عبدالكوري تعرضت لإضرار طالت المساكن والمواد الغذائية التي بحوزتهم والثروة الحيوانية إلى جانب وفاة طفلة وإمراة بفعل العاصفة الرعدية وهطول الأمطار الغزيرة خلال الأيام القليلة الماضية

Abd al Kuri hit hard by cyclone‏

2010-05-24T12:16:00.001+02:00

Sana’a, May 24, 2010

At least two people- a woman and a girl child, were killed on the Arabian sea Island of Soctora, some 450km to the southeast of the port city of Aden, in the worst flooding to hit the Island in decades, media sources reported Sunday.

They said water streamed down from nearby mountains over the past few days after torrential rain into Abd Al Kuri and the western areas of Socotra Island, including Qalansia, flooding homes and sweeping away many vehicles.

The floods also killed scores of livestock and caused extensive damage to many civilian houses in Hadibou, the capital of the Island. Students were reportedly unable to take their final exams as schools were shut down due to the flooding.

The Yemeni deputy minister of health, Omar Mujali, toured the affected areas of the Island and inspected the scale and size of the damages caused by the floods, according to the sources.

Other articles:
* Yemen Post
* Earth Week

Thanks to the BBC!

2010-02-17T22:41:00.003+01:00

As the BBC is currently shooting a new "Africa" documentary series, Socotra got included in their wish list. We were more than happy to give our advice. In return the BBC contributed, currently used for the set up of our new website. Best regards to Tooni Mahto for the interview.

Tourism on Socotra is BOOMING!

2010-01-26T20:19:00.003+01:00

Almost unexistant at the beginning of this project, now tourism on the archipelago is really booming. The exceptional year 2008 with more than 2500 tourists, got easily surpased last year with a new record of 3786 people visiting the island(s). Hopefully the benefits will also surpase the inconveniances?

More details here!

The full SKP-storey on the web soon!

2010-01-06T20:10:00.001+01:00

Finally, after a decade of exploration, a new website is under construction.
Already 1200 pictures are watermarked, ready for an online release scheduled in spring 2010.

The following url is reserved www.socotra.be

A new harbour for Socotra Island

2009-12-26T19:37:00.000+01:00

As Socotra is "developping" a new harbour near the actual airport is foreseen to be finished by 2013. As the money is available, infrastructure ideas and connectivity will follow, more info here.

A new website for Socotra!

2009-11-22T20:14:00.002+01:00

Socotra can be proud on a new website: "Socotra Governance and Biodiversity Project (SGBP)"

For the most up to date info, this will the new place to visit!

December 2009

2009-10-15T23:56:00.002+02:00

Exactly 10 years ago the SKP was inaugurated; reason enough to celebrate the occasion. More info soon.

SKP-gathering

2009-10-15T23:55:00.000+02:00

20/11/2009: SKP-gathering for data processing to prepare a sequel SKP2005-2009 report. Also a renewed general website and the gentle preparations for SKP10 will be discussed.

Dvipa Sukhadhara: The forgotten Island of Bliss

2009-10-15T23:54:00.001+02:00

08/11/2009: Julian Jansen van Rensburg will lecture on “Dvipa Sukhadhara: The forgotten Island of Bliss”
at the Ancient Indian Ocean Corridors: placing coastal and island south Asia in their broader Indian Ocean context a joint UCL - University of Oxford conference, to be held at the School of Archaeology, Oxford. All details at: http://www.arch.ox.ac.uk/conferences/articles/ancient-indian-ocean-corridors.html

The Indian inscriptions from the cave Hoq on Socotra

2009-10-15T23:47:00.001+02:00

31/10/2009: Dr Ingo Strauch will give a lecture, titled “Indian traders between Africa and South-Arabia: The Indian inscriptions from the cave Hoq on Socotra” at the collaborative workshop Global Geographies: the Indian Ocean in Historical Perspective, organized jointly by the British Institute in Eastern Africa (BIEA) and the British Association for South Asian Studies (BASAS) at the Royal Asiatic Society, 14 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2HD. More details here.

FoS AGM in Tübingen, Germany

2009-09-15T22:07:00.000+02:00

The organisation the 9th FoS AGM in Tübingen was just supreme!
Thanks a lot Dana for all the effort and the opportunity to explore some of the Schwäbische Alb. The minutes and outcome of the meeting can be found in the near future on the FoS website.
Click here below on the image to see more pictures.

AGM FoS 2009 Tübingen, Germany

Fos Meeting in Tübingen, Germany

2009-09-01T22:43:00.000+02:00

This weekend is the AGM of the FoS held in Germany.
For all details, take a look at the FoS website or click here.

See you there!
If not, I'll keep you informed about the outcome.

Another new documentary film...

2009-07-27T23:12:00.001+02:00

A mini Tsunami of Socotra related documentary films is reaching us these days...
Luckily they all bring the same urgent message: "Help is needed to preserve the islands' identity, as rapid development is actually a real prominent thread!".
Hopefully it works out the right way.

All further details on 360°-Geo van ARTE

How it should NOT be done!

2009-07-20T22:05:00.000+02:00

Now that Socotra is opening it's doors to real tourism, news is spread everywhere...
Even the Yemen Times recently published Mohammed Ghoath's visit report "Camping in Socotra", read it here. Sad to read that this is almost an open invitation to go exploring caves that instead should be firmly "controlled" and sustainably managed by now.
One can only hope that some stalagmites stay alive during the next few years!

“Socotra – The Last Stand” documentary

2009-07-16T22:57:00.001+02:00

In coordination with local stakeholders in Yemen and Socotra in particular, IUCN ROWA has produced a documentary entitled “Socotra – The Last Stand”. This documentary promotes the special and unique ecosystem of the Socotra Archipelago. It shows how the islands and the local people there are trying to fit into today’s’ changing world by facing many challenges to achieve the ecological, cultural and economic sustainability. With increased accessibility and the influence of globalization, the islands are threatened by unsustainable development.

Details at the IUCN-site.

Indian cargo ship sinks off Yemen; Crew rescued

2009-06-08T22:50:00.001+02:00

Yesterday an Indian cargo ship sunk before the coast of Socotra, read more details in Saba News

New book about Socotra out there soon!

2009-05-28T22:58:00.000+02:00

Next months the book "The Lost World of Socotra" by Richard Boggs will be published by Stacey International.

CONTENTS:
Introduction
Chapter 1: A Place Apart
Chapter 2: Frankincense
Chapter 3: People
Chapter 4: Culture
Chapter 5: Development
Chapter 6: Tourism
Bibliography
Index

Money... and new plans!

2009-04-29T22:45:00.002+02:00

The government of Italy support Soqotra again, read all details here.
At the same time new ideas about developing Abdel Kuri Island arise, check it out!
Hopefully Soqotra will benefit from both, inch Allah.

Hamar an Nafur

2009-04-15T22:31:00.002+02:00

One day you find yourself cirkeling around a steep limestone outcrop in the Indian ocean off the coast of Oman, called Hamar an Nafur, and what do you see?
A rather big population of Socotra Cormorants, what a coincidence?

The longest cave of Arabia on YOU TUBE

2009-03-18T20:55:00.003+01:00

As media and technology are almost symbiotic these days, please do enjoy our explorations in the longest cave of Arabia filmed at new year 2007-2008 on YOU TUBE. Note that this cave is stil not revealing all its secrets, but we are getting very close!

President Saleh visits Socotra

2009-03-15T22:49:00.000+01:00

President Saleh visits Socotra again.
For his emphasis on different subjects, do visit the Saba News site.

Spice it up!

2009-03-14T20:05:00.004+01:00

Just to let you all know that this blog is still alive (and in need of some updating), you can enjoy one of the better cave movie intro's below, just to spice it up, but nothing to do with SKP:

As I'm currently working in Oman, some more nearby features in the KHOSHILAT MAQANDELI (Majlis Al Jinn)/MUQAL CAVE (The second largest chamber in the world):

Tuberculosis rose in Socotra

2009-03-07T19:30:00.003+01:00

As the global economy is shaking these days, the poor are always hit first...
This is also the case for Socotra Island, were TBC rose 110% in 2008, mainly caused by malnutrition. More details on Saba News!

Big brother...

2009-02-25T19:55:00.002+01:00

Just as you think you are all alone on an unspoiled island, you read stuff like this. Maybe we have to look up more from time to time and say "Hi" to big brother?

Kuwait funds for community college and port site

2009-02-20T23:56:00.003+01:00

Kuwaiti Deputy Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed Sabah al Sabah along with Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi recently offered Yemen funds to start up a community college and port site on Socotra island.
More details can be found at Saba News and the Yemen Times.

Skip one this year...

2009-01-21T21:34:00.002+01:00

Although no real SKP-expedition was planned at the beginning of this year, my wife and I were going to visit our Yemeni and Socotri friends, but unfortunately "destiny" changed these plans. Just calling Achmed by mobile phone these days to keep in touch and Inch Allah, next time action can be taken again...

Media news from Yemen...

2008-12-26T10:30:00.002+01:00

That the historical importance of the Socotran Archipelago got neglected for centuries is no shocking news, but some recent messages are not providing true value for the new discoveries, try next Sana News info.

Socotra Yemen Heaven on Earth

2008-11-06T19:59:00.002+01:00

This Yemeni video might be 1 year old, but stil more than ok.
If you want to dream away for the next 18min of travelling to the archipelago in the Arabian sea, just klick on play below!

Socotra: Yemen’s Exotic Secret book published

2008-08-18T21:15:00.000+02:00

Another book about Socotra, but this time with a most interesting cover. The book, introduced by Abdul-Karim al-Iryani, Former Prime Minister of Yemen, invites the reader with his personal experience HERE.

Socotra just became a World Heritage Site !!!

2008-07-08T08:41:00.001+02:00

Finally, after years of collective work of Yemeni Ministries, Governements and international University teams, NGO's, individuals and lot's of confincing scientific evidence... a big breakthrough... "Socotra is a part of the World Heritage Sites on this planet" (UNESCO)

We can only hope that this new achievement will give a boost to the conservation and sustainable development of the Island(s), ...as many caves are urgently in need of protection implementations!

For more details click here!

Time to update and inform all!

2008-06-20T14:44:00.007+02:00

Dear readers,

After many changes on different levels, it's time to "revive" our Socotra Karst Project (SKP) informative blog. We just explored and mapped the longest cave of the Middle East (all details next month), presented the initial Dutch version of our expedition film: "Mystery Island" and started up the last run to finalize our Dbases. Just to mention that we're still alive!

First issue is an update of this blog, which can be seen as the "Hot News" of our website. The latter will be tackled later on.

Enjoy,
Peter

Film and media news

2008-06-11T15:17:00.004+02:00

The new documentary film "Eiland vol mysteries" (= Mystery Island) about our SKP-related adventures between 2000-2008 is a fact. There probably will come an English version of it, but when exactly remains a bit uncertain, we'll keep you informed.
Although probably not immediately readable, I do provide the direct media links: click here and here.

Pop by if you can...

2008-05-25T10:53:00.001+02:00

Just to mention to you all that on Saturday June 7th our next exploration documentary will be shown in public. If you would happen to be in Belgium, feel free to come of course!

Dubai Natural History Group Presentation

2008-04-06T23:03:00.004+02:00

After becoming members of the Dubai Natural History Group last months, we had the honer to give a presentation about the Soqotra Karst Project. The audience was both plenty, interested and interactive, a real pleasure to talk to, thanks!

The longest cave of Arabia!!!

2008-03-08T16:13:00.003+01:00

Giniba Cave becomes the longest cave of Arabia! The more than 13,5 km long system has been dived and explored post-siphon. There are still possibilities to crack the 15 km limit and go for 20 km, but the physical endurance part and logistics become more than challenging... All details in a few months time!

Counting and drawing...are there records to break?

2008-02-21T20:38:00.002+01:00

He're currently counting all the topo data and building up Giniba cave.
There might be some records to break, although this has never been our ambition.
Anyway, Giniba Cave is situated in the hart of Soqotra, so it might be a nice symbolic gesture.
.

Almost "live" from Soqotra!

2008-01-10T14:43:00.001+01:00

Rudi Debbaut just called me minutes ago from Soqotra Island.
Most energy of the team has been put in Giniba Cave as Difshelei Cave received too much water and hence sediments blocking the lowest passages even more than last time.
Post siphon approx. 2km is mapped. The main gallery end on another siphon. Just before a side gallery heading south for another 2km also ends on a siphon. This gallery can also be followed in northern direction over another 400m.
The SKP9 team probably discovered the resurgence of the cave system at the surface.
Although the real counting has to begin, it is already a major succes, congratulations men!

SKP9, ready to set new limits...

2007-12-29T21:03:00.002+01:00

Today the SKP9 team is ready to tackle the deepest and already longest caves on Soqotra.
The complex and labyrinthic Difshelei cave and fairly straightforward Giniba Cave.

Both caves have a rather difficult and intreaging genesis, which is not related to the actual drainage of the systems! Hopefully we obtain more insights to start to understand the karst development on the Island in a geological point of view?

Inch Allah!

SKP9 is finalising the preparations

2007-12-19T21:09:00.002+01:00

Evenings of planning the logistics, preparing and training the team is coming to an happy end.
The last meeting was held tonight, just before the lift off, of SKP9.
Everyone is more than motivated and really enthousiastic, as limits are set to break.
Just received the image here in my mailbox in Dubai, sad that I can't enjoy a Belgian trappist Rochefort beer, as on this occasion, it is the only rectified beverage to drink!

Cheers,
Peter

General Update

2007-11-07T21:16:00.002+01:00

Heidi and me are living in Dubai now. Organising an expedition is one thing, but moving abroad to become an expat is something different. Of coarse you do this only once, because once an expat, always an ...? Anyway, SKP9 is taking shape under the leadership of Rudi Debbaut this time. There is only one new member this time, all the rest are experienced SKP'ers. Just weird to see this shaping up from abroad this first time.

A new chapter

2007-10-11T21:21:00.003+02:00

My research project is set aside for a while. A new job was offered in the Emirates (Dubai) regarding land reclamation, while another opportunity would lead us to Yemen (Sana'a). Although both are equally challenging, Dubai is just a safer option in many regards. So SKP10 with around 40 to 50 people willing to join is cancelled. No real problem as SKP had to move back to its source. SKP9 is now forming, under the leadership of Rudi Debbaut.

SKP... "The Movie"...!

2007-09-24T21:25:00.002+02:00

Next year "SKP the movie" (work title) can we expected!
Rik Martens will put all his free time, material and efforts in to it to make the magic happen.
He will direct it, edit it, make the storey line, text, music,... Succes MAN!

New jobs, new possibilities?

2007-08-31T13:48:00.001+02:00

The visit to the Emirates has got greater consequences than initially thought. My wife and I will travel back to Dubai in the near future (October) to start a new job as a geologist! My scientific research will be temperately put on a site track. A second job offer from Yemen sounded very exiting too, but the decision was already made. We will keep on working closely together with the Yemeni government and Ministries and can hopefully even contribute directly from the Emirates.
The SKP9 expeditions, scheduled for the end of December - beginning of January 2008, will be organised through the previous core team members and focus both on the length and depth potentials of the Soqotran Karst features!

July again, caving time for the team!

2007-07-28T13:47:00.000+02:00

During July - August most members are underground exploring new caves all over the world, success everybody!

SKP in Abu Dhabi and Dubai

2007-06-10T13:44:00.001+02:00

Kay Van Damme, my wife and I get a round trip in the Emirates. Our presentation itself is well received by local VIP's and the Arabian media. We are extremely pleased by the invitation and hope to work together on future mutual initiatives.

SKP invited by the UAE!

2007-05-25T13:40:00.000+02:00

I receive a phone call from the Belgian Ambassador in the United Arab Emirates with the question if I was willing to give a presentation about SKP in Abu Dhabi for the “Ministry of Information Affairs”. Direct contacts are established and the idea further discussed.

SKP in sunny Vienna

2007-04-27T13:38:00.002+02:00

Science continues and the results are this time discussed at the European Geosciences Union congres in Vienna (Austria). My wife and I have just an additional weekend to hike true the little "left-over" snow at some mountain peaks, as it is hot in the area?

One expedition this year instead of two!

2007-03-24T13:33:00.000+01:00

We meet again on the 23rd at the TRT club house in Merksem (Antwerp). The plans for SKP9 in the beginning of this year are postponed towards the end of this year. There is not enough time for a detailed preparation and still way too many people interested. People who will join SKP9 have to have a clear contribution to the expedition and a certain amount of expertise in a specific field, tropical caving tourism is not an issue!

Website under construction

2007-02-23T13:32:00.000+01:00

The engine of the new website is a fact, but more updated text and pictures will have to be added.

A new year, New dreams, a New Website...

2007-01-11T13:29:00.000+01:00

A new year, a new start, a new website (at least the concept and initiative). It looks like an interesting year again for SKP: a few expeditions, more research to coming to an end phase and a new documentary film... of course we will inform you monthly right here!

SKP goes to the USA again

2006-12-23T13:27:00.000+01:00

The last results of the Soqotra related research are presented at the American Geophysical Union meeting 2006 in San Francisco (USA), during an oral presentation.
Besides this we visit the Zoo and surroundings with my wife.

SKP at the Belgian coast!

2006-11-27T13:22:00.000+01:00

During the "Speleo aan Zee" (Caving near the sea) festival in Ostend, SKP shows off with a few informative kiosks. The weekend afterwards its science agains at the annual scientific caving days in Han/Lesse.

Thalassa 3 and Abgar.

2006-10-11T13:21:00.000+02:00

Preparations are being made and Thalassa 3 from the French Television (FR3) buys some pictures from the Tablet of Abgar.

Preparations of SKP9 and SKP10

2006-09-19T13:18:00.000+02:00

September 18th 30 people come together to discuss new SKP9 and 10 initiatives. SKP9 will focus on length/depth records in the beginning of 2007, while SKP10 will do the rest at the end of the same year, Inch Allah...

The Berliner Höhlenkundliche Berichte Band 20!!!

2006-08-20T13:16:00.000+02:00

Dear visitor: may I announce to you the "Berliner Höhlenkundliche Berichte Band 20", nothing less than our first English SKP2000-2004 report. Copies kan be ordered through Michael Laumanns (see website).

Cavers are caving!

2006-07-11T13:13:00.000+02:00

It's holiday so most of the team is abroad, even exploring the Lukina Jama (one of the world deepest caves these days). So time to work from home. The new Tayf magazine (from the FoS is on-line and downloadable).

Continuation of the scientific parts

2006-06-24T13:09:00.000+02:00

Thanks to a Marie Curie-scholarship important networking can be done at the "International School of Karst” in Postojna (Slovenia). Their annual meeting is this year dedicated to “Cave Management”. Through Prof. Dr. Em. Hamilton Elery-Smith (Autralia) important contacts emphasising cave protection and sustainable development of Hoq cave are started. The SCDP/EPA of Yemen offers even a small budget to start up infrastructural work for potential eco-tourism on-site.

Scientific meetings and international prizes!

2006-05-29T13:02:00.000+02:00

Google Earth offers new high resolution images from Soqotra, so prospection can start at home now!
The Soqotra science story wins the best poster award at the International "PAGES PEP2" meeting in London in the session “Rapid Hydrological Changes” at the UCL. Just time enough to have some beers with our English participants and talk about future mutual project (Picos, China, Wales,...).
Of with my wife to Romania where we participate at the “The Karst Record IV: Climate Change” symposium in the beautiful area of Baile Herculana. The world top scientist studying speleothems are present.

SKP9 overbooked?!

2006-04-17T12:58:00.000+02:00

We have already too many potential SKP9 members (>40 people), so we have to make strict rules to join the team now, otherwise the success of the project will work against us?!
The Dutch caving community "Speleo Nederland" exits 30 years and we have the honour to talk about our project, thanks guys.
As we are Dragonsblood-hunter, my wife and I go to Tenerife to enjoy the sun, nature and... pyramids!

The annual cave exploration day

2006-03-30T12:55:00.000+02:00

At the annual "Journée de l’éxplo" in Schaerbeek, Rik can (almost) show the trailer of the new expedition documentary and Peter talks about the adventures with Nicolas Hulot on Soqotra.

SKP8 debriefing

2006-02-25T12:52:00.000+01:00

The debriefing took place on the 23th. Processing of our results and data is subdivided into the sub units and hopefully we can provide them to you soon.

A spectacular SKP8, longer, deeper, more interesting!

2006-01-23T12:36:00.000+01:00

January the 15th, back on European soil. The results are just spectacular:
The terminal siphon in the longest cave got passed, with another 3km explored ending on... nothing, just lack of time and already surpassing 10km!!!
The deepest cave is now -220m and exploration is also here ongoing (>4km of development). 14 new caves could be added to our database (>1,5km) and some know caves revealed more than 3km new passage ways!!!
Not to speak about the discovery of more than 150 new epigraphs, probably dating from the 1st-3rd century, a fossil bat and a magnificent hiking tour of a few days through the Haggeher Mountains... A detailed report will be added on-line.

Biggest SKP-team ever is off for a new adventure!

2005-12-27T12:32:00.000+01:00

On December 28th our biggest SKP-team ever (19 persons) leave for Soqotra. THis edition 2 English geologist/cavers will join, together with a German linguistic expert in ancient Indian languages. After the high speed train to Frankfurt (GER), we fly with Qatar Airlines for a night in luxurious Doha, to arrive the day afterwards in Sana'a (Yemen) and after a very short night finally at our island!