Introduction: An Island More Unique Than the Galápagos
Floating approximately 350 kilometers off the coast of mainland Yemen, Socotra Island stands as one of Earth’s most distinctive ecosystems. Separated from the Arabian Peninsula around six million years ago, this island is often called “the Galápagos of the Middle East,” boasting an extraordinary biodiversity with over 30% endemic plant species.
The island’s iconic symbol, the Dragon Blood Tree (Dracaena cinnabari), resembles a giant inverted umbrella with its peculiar form. When the trunk is wounded, deep crimson resin seeps out—this resin has been treasured as medicine since ancient times, sustaining the lives of the island’s people.
Most of Socotra’s inhabitants speak Soqotri, maintaining a unique linguistic culture distinct from Arabic. Many engage in pastoralism and fishing, having developed distinctive ways of life over thousands of years in this harsh natural environment. The island has few paved roads, and infrastructure like electricity and water supply remains limited, yet this very isolation has preserved untouched nature and traditional culture.
Designated as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site in 2008, this island truly deserves to be called one of Earth’s last frontiers.
Day 1: Gateway to the Island of Winds
After transferring to a small propeller plane from Yemen’s capital Sana’a, the two-hour flight revealed Socotra Island through the aircraft window—more desolate than I had imagined. Brown earth dotted with strangely shaped trees, and endless blue sea stretching to the horizon. Even from above, I could sense that this island was entirely different from anywhere else on Earth.
Upon landing at Socotra Airport, dry wind brushed against my cheeks. It was more of a small building than an airport, with several local guides waiting in the modest arrival area. Ahmed, a weathered elderly man with deep wrinkles etched into his sun-darkened skin, greeted me with a warm smile. His expressions were friendly, and he explained the island using broken English and Arabic, occasionally mixing in Soqotri.
“Socotra is the island of winds,” Ahmed said. Indeed, from the moment I arrived, wind had been blowing constantly. It wasn’t unpleasant—rather, it brought a comfortable coolness. On this island where trade winds blow year-round, wind must be part of daily life.
Driving to the lodge, I saw Dragon Blood Trees up close for the first time. I had seen them in photographs, but their physical presence was overwhelming. They looked like giant broccoli turned upside down, with trunks several meters thick. Ahmed stopped the car and scraped a bit of resin to show me. Truly blood-like red liquid seeped out, making it clear why ancient people called this “dragon’s blood.”
Lunch was at a small restaurant near the lodge. Socotra’s cuisine resembles that of mainland Yemen but incorporates island-specific ingredients. Mandaji, a fish curry simmered in coconut milk and spices, had an aromatic fragrance that stimulated the appetite. The accompanying rice was slightly dry but paired well with the curry. I also tasted Socotra honey, beloved by locals. This honey, collected from Dragon Blood Tree flowers, had a distinctive sweetness with a subtle bitterness—a complex flavor found nowhere else.
In the afternoon, I explored Hadibo, the town at the island’s center. With a population of about 8,000, this town serves as the island’s political and economic hub, yet its atmosphere remains leisurely. In the market, voices speaking Soqotri echoed. This oral language has no written form and belongs to a completely different linguistic family from Arabic. Though I couldn’t understand the words, the expressions and gestures of the people conveyed their daily lives.
In the market, local women draped in colorful fabrics sold vegetables, fish, and spices. Particularly memorable was an elderly woman selling frankincense. Her palms held amber-colored frankincense granules. Socotra Island had been an important frankincense trading hub since ancient times, known for producing the highest quality. When I burned some frankincense from a small bag she gave me, a mystical, deep fragrance rose, helping me understand why ancient peoples considered it sacred.
In the evening, returning to the lodge, the sunset visible from the terrace was magnificent. The sun sinking toward the horizon painted the sky crimson red, silhouetting the Dragon Blood Trees. Watching this scene, time seemed to stop. Away from urban bustle, I felt anew the importance of surrendering to nature’s rhythm.
For dinner, I joined lodge owner Salim and his family. They were a family that had lived on the island for generations, sharing stories about Socotra’s traditions and modern changes. “Since tourists started coming, island life has gradually changed,” Salim said. “But we want to cherish the culture inherited from our ancestors.”
After dinner, looking up at the sky, I saw a star-filled canopy impossible to witness in cities. The Milky Way was clearly visible, and I spotted several shooting stars. Socotra’s night sky was truly nature’s planetarium. In the silence filled only by wind sounds and insect calls, I deeply felt Earth’s beauty.
Day 2: Forest of Miracles and Azure Seas
I woke to bird songs. Socotra Island hosts many endemic bird species, and the beautiful call of the Socotra Sunbird was particularly impressive. Breakfast consisted of traditional Socotra bread called “Handuz,” cheese made from goat milk, and locally grown dates. Handuz had a slight tartness that paired perfectly with the cheese.
The day’s destination was Homhil Plateau in the island’s eastern part, famous for its Dragon Blood Tree forest and considered one of the island’s most beautiful landscapes. With guide Ahmed, we took a 4WD vehicle along unpaved roads for about two hours. Along the way, I saw various endemic plants. The Desert Rose (Adenium obesum socotranum) looked like a bonsai tree, blooming with pink flowers. This plant also exists only on Socotra Island as an endemic species.
Arriving at Homhil Plateau, a breathtaking scene unfolded. Grassland dotted with hundreds of Dragon Blood Trees possessed an otherworldly beauty, like another planet. Each tree had its unique shape, resembling giant sculpture pieces. When wind crossed the grassland, Dragon Blood Tree branches swayed slightly, creating a fantastical scene as if ancient spirits were dancing.
The view from the plateau’s summit was spectacular. Below spread deep blue sea, with white sandy beaches framing the coastline. From this height, I could clearly see how diverse Socotra Island’s topography was—mountains, valleys, plains, and beautiful coastlines. It was remarkable how such rich nature was concentrated on this small island.
Lunch was picnic-style on the plateau. Ahmed prepared Socotra-style grilled fish, salad with local vegetables, and yogurt drizzled with Socotra honey. Eating in the wind was exceptional, deeply connecting me with the joy of being in nature. After the meal, I napped under a Dragon Blood Tree. The shade was cool, the wind pleasant, experiencing deep relaxation unavailable in city life.
In the afternoon, we headed to Arifa Beach on the island’s southern coast, known as one of Socotra’s most beautiful beaches. The white sand and crystal-clear blue water resembled a Caribbean resort, yet few tourists were present—only a handful of local fishermen.
Entering the sea, the water temperature was pleasantly warm with excellent visibility. I could clearly see the seabed beneath my feet, where colorful fish swam. Like the land, Socotra’s surrounding waters host many endemic species, with numerous fish species found nowhere else. While snorkeling, I encountered beautiful fish I’d never seen before. Ahmed later identified it as an endemic wrasse species.
In the evening, I had the opportunity to speak with local fishermen on the beach. Many used traditional small wooden boats for fishing. “The sea has been changing recently,” an elderly fisherman said. “Fish types and quantities have changed compared to the past.” Climate change effects seemed to reach even this distant island’s waters.
On the return journey, I again witnessed the sunset illuminating the Dragon Blood Tree forest. The trees showed different expressions from the morning view, emitting mystical radiance in the evening light. This island’s natural beauty changes with time, continuously offering new emotions to observers.
That night, the lodge hosted traditional music performed by local youth. Socotra Island has its unique musical culture, with melodies and rhythms different from Arabian Peninsula music. Music using drums and string instruments sang of the island’s nature and history. Though I couldn’t understand the Soqotri lyrics, emotions embedded in the music transcended language barriers.
After the performance, I enjoyed traditional Socotra tea time with participants. Socotra tea, blended from special herbs gathered on the island, had gentle fragrance and taste. While drinking tea, I learned more deeply about island people’s lives and culture. Listening to their stories, I understood how these people lived while cherishing coexistence with nature.
Day 3: Eternal Memories in My Heart
On the final morning, I woke especially early to watch the sunrise. The sunrise viewed from a hill near the lodge was one of this journey’s most beautiful moments. When the sun emerged from the horizon, the entire island was dyed golden. Dragon Blood Tree silhouettes appeared against the morning light, spreading mystical scenery visible only on this island.
After breakfast, I visited Alha Village in the island’s northern part as the final tourist destination. This village was a small settlement preserving traditional Socotra architecture, characterized by stone houses. Village people maintained traditional lifestyles, raising goats and cattle, growing vegetables in small fields.
Invited to the village elder’s home, I had the opportunity to hear about Socotra Island’s history. According to the elder, Socotra Island had played an important role as a maritime transportation hub since ancient times, serving as a waypoint on sea routes connecting the Arabian Peninsula, India, and East Africa—a place where various cultures interacted. However, while accepting foreign cultures, island people continued maintaining their unique culture.
“Socotra is a small island, but it has a big heart,” the elder said. “We live by respecting nature, honoring ancestors, and helping each other.” The elder’s words embodied the island people’s life philosophy.
In the village, I also learned how to prepare traditional Socotra cuisine. “Muzooz,” goat meat simmered with spices in earthenware pots, was one of the island’s representative dishes. Though cooking took time, deep flavors developed accordingly. While cooking, I attempted conversation in Soqotri with island women. Even without shared language, smiles and gestures enabled sufficient communication.
Lunch was shared with village people. The Muzooz we had prepared had spice-rich deep flavors—powerful cuisine nurtured in the island’s harsh natural environment. After the meal, village children gathered and played together. Their innocent smiles made me feel the island’s bright future.
In the afternoon, before heading to Socotra Airport, I visited the Dragon Blood Tree forest one last time. Though I had seen these trees multiple times over three days, each viewing brought new discoveries. Each tree was individual, like living art pieces. Listening to branch sounds swaying in wind, I felt as if hearing this island’s soul’s voice.
On the way to the airport, Ahmed asked, “How was Socotra Island?” I answered, “This island is truly a special place.” When I said “I want to come again,” Ahmed smiled happily. “Socotra Island will always wait for you,” he said.
Departure time at the airport arrived. The warmth of people I met on this island, starting with Ahmed, was unforgettable. Their smiles and kindness made this journey even more special.
As the small propeller plane took off from the runway, I burned Socotra Island’s entire panorama into my memory through the window. Dragon Blood Tree forests, blue seas, white sandy beaches, and brown earth—everything about this island was deeply carved into my heart.
Reflecting on the three days aboard the aircraft felt dreamlike. However, it was certainly a real experience, becoming one of life’s most impressive journeys. The natural beauty, people’s warmth, and life’s mysteries felt on Socotra Island will become precious treasures throughout my remaining life.
Conclusion: What Was Genuinely Felt Despite Being Imaginary
This two-night, three-day journey to Socotra Island is a product of AI imagination. However, while following these words, didn’t Socotra Island’s landscapes certainly emerge in our minds?
The Dragon Blood Trees’ mysterious forms, transparent sea’s blueness, starry sky’s beauty, and island people’s warm smiles—though not actually experienced, these scenes certainly exist in our hearts through imagination’s wings.
Travel’s essence isn’t simply moving physically to places, but encountering new worlds and awakening emotions and thoughts sleeping within ourselves. Even in this imaginary journey, readers must have felt Socotra Island’s charm, touching its natural beauty and cultural richness.
The actual Socotra Island, as depicted in this travel journal, is a precious island possessing Earth’s most unique ecosystem. Endemic species like Dragon Blood Trees and Desert Roses, and traditional lives led by island people, are valuable cultural heritage existing in reality.
If this imaginary journey becomes motivation to actually visit Socotra Island someday, or provides opportunity to consider Earth’s diversity and beauty, it will possess real value transcending imagination.
Imagination sometimes holds power surpassing reality. I hope the emotions and discoveries felt during this journey continue living in readers’ hearts, becoming keys opening doors to new travels.
