E235 - Socotra – Exploring an Island Lost in Time

In this episode, we arrive in Socotra during the day, but rather unusually, we have to wait until 9pm before we can officially check in. Most immigration offices would be long closed by then, but here things work a little differently! The following morning, we set off on the first day of our tour around this incredible and remote island. We visit Flamingo Pond, discover the strange and fascinating Socotra Bottle Trees, and head into Kalisan Canyon (White Canyon) for a swim in its crystal-clear, emerald-green water. We then make our way to Arher Beach, where massive sand dunes rise dramatically above the coastline, before finishing the day with a local dinner with our host and guides. Day two takes us to the iconic Socotra Dragon Blood Trees, including a visit to a Dragon Tree nursery where we learn just how incredibly slowly these unique trees grow. Jo meets some young local boys and gives them books and pencils, which are met with very eager hands and plenty of smiles. We have lunch at Wadi Dirhur (Dixam Gorge), sharing the experience with some very friendly goats and curious Egyptian vultures, before continuing along the coast to see the abandoned Soviet-era T-34 tanks rusting beside the road. We finish the day with a swim at the spectacular Detwah Lagoon before heading back into town to pick up some provisions. Shopping turns into another adventure, with the local currency unavailable from ATMs and US dollars only accepted if they are essentially brand-new, large-denomination notes! Socotra is already proving to be unlike anywhere we have visited before. Timestamps if you like to Jump Right In: 00:00 Intro 00:29 Checking into Socotra 01:52 Day tour of Socotra 03:27 Flamingo Pond 04:25 Kalisan Canyon (White Canyon) 08:15 Arher Beach Sand Dunes 11:16 Socotra Dragon Blood Tree 15:18 Wadi Dirhur (Dixam Gorge) 16:38 Russian Tanks 18:42 Detwah Lagoon 19:55 Impossible Provisioning WHO ARE WE? Hey there! We’re Chris and Jo, an ordinary Aussie couple living our extraordinary dream aboard our Seawind 1260 since January 2019 and now we continue from 2024 aboard our new 1370! Our adventure began with an unforgettable journey down the east coast of Australia, followed by a sail to the stunning New Caledonia. In 2020, we continued our exploration further north, and by 2021 and 2022, we circumnavigated Australia, discovering breathtaking locations along the way. Having previously owned fishing and water-skiing boats, our passion for sailing deepened after crewing in South Australia, leading us to make the leap into full-time living at sea. We hope to inspire you, just as we were inspired by other YouTube channels, to chase your dreams and explore the wonders of this beautiful world. Join us on our journey, and don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more sailing adventures! #seawind1370 #seawindcats #sailing #sailingboat #sailingyacht #yacht #yachting #yachtinglifestyle #cruisinglife #socotraisland #socotra