Tina Zorman and Eternal Yemen in Slovene media

Friday, December 19, 2014

Veličastna Sokotra - čarobna Sana in košček jemenskih gora: 29.1. - 12.2. 2015


Ste med tistimi, ki bi enkrat radi obiskali večno mesto Sana'a in pa veličasten otok Sokotra, znan po svoji edinstveni flori in favni?

Če ste, je potovanje, ki ga organizira Prirodoslovno društvo, pravo za vas, saj vam ponuja vse to, poleg tega pa boste doživeli še nekaj gorskega, plemenskega Jemna, ki bo dodal ravno manjkajoči košček k celotnemu mozaiku.

Mi bomo poskrbeli za brezhibno organizacijo in vam tudi zagotovili voznike in vodnike, ki so že stari prijatelji Prirodoslovnega društva.
 
Vse skupaj pa bo resnično pravo doživetje, zaradi izvrstnega vodenja diplomirane biologinje Janje Benedik, ki vam bo na vsakem koraku lahko povedala kaj zanimivega. Janja je biologinja z dušo in srcem in predana Prirodoslovnemu društvu, kjer je odgovorna za nešteto stvari, poleg tega pa organizira strokovna predavanja, ekskurzije in pa daljša potovanja, ki jih sama tudi izvrstno vodi.
 
Vsi, ki se za to potovanje zanimate, čipmrej kontaktirajte Prirodoslovno društvo, ali pa info@eternal-yemen.com, kajti do potovanja je le še slab mesec in pol.

 
Vabljeni na potovanje, ki ga zagotovo ne boste pozabili, vabljeni na potovanje, ki bo spremenilo vaš pogled na svet !


Lepo in nepozabno !





Nekaj sokotranskih utrinkov s potovanja Jemen - Sokotra, Januar 2014

 

 

 



 

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Poisonous beauty: Adenum Obesum Socotranum - endemic succulent of Socotra Island, Yemen


Socotra Island is a treasure of most unusual plants that can be found in the world.

Dracaena cinnabari, known also as Dragoon's Blood Tree became the symbol of Socotra Island.

Nevertheless, personally I just love the succulent tree, forming the most bizarre shapes, growing on most bizarre places, knows as Desert Rose, or Bottle Tree, while it's Latin name is Adenium Obesum Socotranum and is a part of Adenium family.

So, it came just naturally, that when we created our company in 2006, which was 2 years after my first visit to Socotra Island, I've choose this beauty as our sign.

For all those that are attracted by this bizarre tree, I'm offering a detailed description, first of the Adenium family and then of the specific Socotrian type: Adenium Obesum Socotranum.

For all those that would like to come to Socotra Island and experience Adenium Obesum Socotranum in vivo, please, contact us:







Adenium is a genus of flowering plants, known from dry climates in sub-Saharan Africa and the very southern part of the Arabian Peninsula. Scientists debate how many wild species there are of Adenium. The most conservative view is that there is only one species (Adenium obesum) and a handful of subspecies or varieties. But wild adeniums vary dramatically from location to location, from short fat trees that resemble a small baobab to quite small shrubs arising from huge tuberous roots. One thing that they all have in common is that they live in relatively dry climates (or at least areas that have extended annual dry seasons) and therefore they have adopted the succulent way of life. That is, they store water in their soft, swollen roots and stems to allow them to survive through periods of drought.

The most spread species is Adenium obesum, also known as Sabi Star, Kudu or Desert rose. It is an evergreen succulent shrub in tropical climates. In different environments, Adenium obesum is quite variable but can grow to 1-3 m in height and form a small, thick-trunked tree or large shrub. The leaves are spirally arranged, clustered toward the tips of the shoots, simple entire, leathery in texture, 5-15 cm long and 1-8 cm broad. The flowers are tubular, 2-5 cm long, with five petals. Flower colors range through various shades of pink and red, to bicolor flowers with white, and, recently, pure white forms. Some have yellow throats. True Adenium obesum normally blooms in spring and summer continuously for many weeks.

There are several subspecies identified: 

Adenium obesum subsp. boehmianum. Namibia, Angola. 

Adenium obesum subsp. obesum. Arabia.

Adenium obesum subsp. oleifolium. South Africa, Botswana.

Adenium obesum subsp. socotranum. Socotra, Yemen.

Adenium obesum subsp. somalense. Eastern Africa.

Adenium obesum subsp. swazicum. Eastern South Africa.

Adenium Arabicum subsp. Arabicum. Thailand.

Adenium Arabicum subsp. Thai Socotranum Thailand.

 

 
 

The species Adenium obesum subsp. socotranum is endemic to the island of Socotra, belonging to Yemen, in the Indian Ocean south of the Arabian Peninsula. It is the giant of the genus, forming a swollen, bottle-shaped trunk (caudex) several meters tall and up to 2.4 m in diameter. It resembles a miniature baobab. Its trunk and well developed roots, keep the tree supplied with water during the summer droughts. The thick, well developed roots allow growth in crevices and on loose rocks largely devoid of moisture. The particular plants can be several hundreds years old.

The stems are strongly vertical and distinctly striated, a unique character in the genus. The leaves are about 12 cm long, are widest (4 cm) near the tip, and are dark green with a white midrib and light major veins. The flowers are bright pink and twice the size of those from the Yemeni mainland A. multiflorum", which could reach 10-13 cm in diameter. The tree produces a potent poison, making it inedible to livestock or humans. Local fishermen occasionally use its bark to stun small fish, although Euphorbia latex is preferred; while herders tie strips of the bark around the necks of young livestock to keep away wild cats.

The wood of the tree is as soft as a sponge. The tree has two Socotri names: tirymo (in the eastern areas) and isfid (central and western areas), the latter one meaning useless or valueless. Locals traditionally used to treat the wounds with its latex.

During summer, it drops its leaves before flowering, being one of the few plants that doesn't require rain to flower.

 



 

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Sana'a and Socotra Island: guaranteed departure: 30.11. - 9.12. 2014


A small group from Europe can accept some more travelers for the tour round Sana'a and Soqotra Island. If you are interested, apply NOW !

- arrive to Sana'a on evening of November, 29 or early morning of November, 30
- Sana'a sightseeing on November, 30
- flight to Soqotra: December, 1st
- adventure tour in Soqotra one week (camping, trekking, swimming, touring the island)
- flight back to Sana'a on December, 8th

They are looking for a travel companion, to lower the costs.

Anyone that is interested should contact us to info@eternal-yemen.com and we will provide further information.



Two persons are looking for travel companion: Sana'a and Socotra: January, 2 - 10, 2015


Homhil plateau on Socotra Island, Yemen that hosts high density of endemic plants.
 


Two female travelers from Europe:

- arrive to Sana'a on January 2nd: Sana'a sightseeing
- flight to Soqotra: Jan 3rd
- adventure tour in Soqotra one week (camping, lots of trekking, touring the island)
- flight back to Sana'a on Jan 10th

They are looking for a travel companion, to lower the costs.

Anyone that is interested should contact us to info@eternal-yemen.com and we will provide further information.



Unique style of tower houses in old town of Sana'a, Yemen.



Dragoon's Blood Trees, the symbol of Socotra Island, Yemen.

 

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

VISA for YEMEN – Frequently Asked Questions: how to get it, when it can be /cannot be arranged and important things to know - Eternal Yemen is answering


We have information regarding obtaining Yemeni VISA on our website, but nonetheless, I'll write in details about getting VISA for Yemen here. The reason for this is, that it happened 3 times in the last week, that the clients asked us for arranging Yemeni visa only some days prior planned arrival, and, unfortunately, that was too late. 
IMPORTANT: the preparation of VISA takes 4-8 working days, only sometimes is faster.


Below you will find answers on some frequently asked questions regarding obtaining Yemeni visa:

Who needs VISA for Yemen?
All foreign nationals except citizens of Egypt, Jordan, and the Gulf countries are required to get entry visas.


How you can get VISA for Yemen?
There are 2 possible ways of getting visa for Yemen:

1.      From the Yemeni Embassy or Consulate in the visitor’s or neighboring country. Upon arrival, the visitor is given one month residence permit. If you get the visa like this, then you are not obliged to travel in organization of a tour operator, when in Yemen. You can travel on you own, but before moving out of Sana’a you will need to arrange your own travel permit.  

2.   Through the tour operator/travel agency in Yemen that will prepare you VISA APPROVAL at the Ministry in Yemen and upon this, you will receive VISA sticker into your passport at the airport of Sana’a or Socotra Island.
As a tour operator, at Eternal Yemen, we are allowed to issue Yemeni visa for our clients, it means for all the travelers that travel round Yemen under our organization along their entire stay in the country. We are not allowed to arrange visa for people that only want to stay in Sana’a. A visitor should do at least a short tour and during the days in Sana’a, the traveler must be accompanied by a local guide.
There can be no exception to this rule.


In which case Eternal Yemen, tour operator, cannot arrange you VISA for Yemen?
Eternal Yemen cannot arrange you visa for Yemen if:
-          your plan is to come to Sana'a and stay here for any reason (for example to study Arabic language - in that case Institute for Arabic language can arrange you visa),

-          your plan is to come to Yemen and take a short tour with our agency, while the rest of the time you plan to travel on your own by public transport etc.,

-          your plan is to come to Yemen, have a short/long tour with our agency and then to stay in the country, to obtain residence permit upon any recommendation. Nothing of this is allowed. If you enter Yemen on tourist visa, you must also leave Yemen as a tourist.


How do most of travelers to Yemen got their visa in the last 2 years ?
In the last two years, most of travelers got their visa through the tour operators/travel agencies, because basically this was the only way. Most of Yemeni embassies round the world were not issuing visas (or they issued them upon presenting invitation letter or visa approval that had been previously arranged by a travel agency in Yemen).
Some Yemeni embassies however were issuing Yemeni visas without problem: in Japan, in Australia, and in Tanzania if we mention some.



What are the conditions that tour operator Eternal Yemen arrange my VISA for Yemen?
-    You have to agree that you will travel under organization of Eternal Yemen along your entire stay in Yemen
-     All parties (a client and Eternal Yemen) have to agree on the tour program, price and that in Sana’a a client must be accompanied by a tour guide (a client should have at least a short tour, Stay in Sana’a is allowed for few days only)
-       There should be no Israeli stamp or Israeli visa in your passport
-      You should contact Eternal Yemen at least 10 days prior arrival to Yemen, or better at least 2 weeks in advance. The preparation of VISA approval takes 4-8 working days and depends on National Security process and Passport authority process (and the presence of several officials there). In case the client asks for visa less than 10 days prior planned arrival, Eternal Yemen cannot guarantee that the visa will be arranged in time.
-       You should send to Eternal Yemen a scan of your passport (in colors) by E-mail as JPEG or PDF file. If you don’t have opportunity to scan the passport, you can also send a good digital image of your passport (just take care that is not too bright or too dark). So, do not worry, you do not need to send your passport itself anywhere.

An example of scan of the passport that is needed to prepare you VISA APPROVAL at the Ministry in Yemen




HOW will I receive my VISA APPROVAL when Eternal Yemen will prepare it?
Eternal Yemen will prepare visa approval at the Ministry in Yemen in the last moth prior your arrival. Visa approval cannot be prepared earlier, because the validity of visa approval is only 30 days (if the date on your visa approval is October, 5th, you must ENTER Yemen the latest on November 2nd).

When visa approval will be prepared, Eternal Yemen will send you the scan of it by E-mail (as JPEG file or PDF file). You will print it out (black and white print is fine) and you are ready to start your journey to Yemen.

An example of VISA APPROVAL that Eternal Yemen will prepare it at the Ministry in Yemen and will be sent to you by Email.



OK, I will go to Yemen tomorrow. What I need to know regarding my visa approval for Yemen? How will be the process at the airport? Will anyone meet me at the airport?
Have you printed your VISA approval yet? If not, you have to do it now, black and white print is fine. It might be wise to take digital image of visa approval by your phone or camera, just in case you lose the printed version along your travel to Yemen.

DO NOT FORGET to keep your VISA APPROVAL next to your passport as the authorities at the airports on your way to Yemen, will want to see it – usually at check-in and at the gates (please, do not put your visa approval in the hold luggage that will travel below, in the plane…).

At arrival to Sana’a airport, you will find VISA window on your left in the first hall (do not worry that you will miss it; the hall is small and there are few windows on the left. The one for VISA is broken, you will notice it quicklyJ). You will show your passport and your copy of visa approval. The officers will already have original of visa approval that the representative of Eternal Yemen will bring it prior landing of your plane. After checking your passport (where should be no Israeli stamp or Israeli visa) and checking the visa approvals, you will receive visa sticker into your passport with the date of entering Yemen. Since that day, you are allowed to stay in Yemen for 30 days.

Then you will proceed through the passport control and in the next hall where you will collect your luggage, the representative of Eternal Yemen will meet you, take you to your driver and you will continue as per the program.



If Eternal Yemen arranges my visa approval, can I enter Yemen in Haradh (north), Salalah (from Oman), Mokha or in Aden?
No. Eternal Yemen can assist you with visa only at Sana’a airport and in Soqotra Island (clients arriving from Sharjah).



What is IMPORTANT for travelers that stay in Yemen for 2 weeks or more?
Within 14 days after entering Yemen, every visitor has to register himself at a police station. They will put a triangle stamp over your visa. Eternal Yemen staff will do this for you along your tour, but please do not refuse to hand the passport to your driver if he will ask for it to do registration for you. Somebody from Eternal Yemen will do this for you: either Abdullah that will meet you at the airport, either your driver along the tour, either our colleague in Socotra Island - depending on where you will be on working days.

In case you will stay in Yemen for more than 14 days and you will not do this registration, the passport control officials at Sana'a airport will charge you a fee of approximately 30 USD.



IN SHORT: STEPS OF GETTING YEMENI VISA THROUGH ETERNAL YEMEN, TOUR OPERATOR

-        Agree with Eternal Yemen for a tour program (that cannot be only Sana’a) that you will have along your stay in Yemen

-        Send to Eternal Yemen the passport scan (in colors) by Email (as JPEG or PDF) after the agreement for the tour, or at least 2 weeks prior planned arrival

-        In last 30 days prior your arrival to Yemen, Eternal Yemen will make your visa at the Ministry in Yemen

-        Eternal Yemen will send you VISA APPROVAL that you need to print out (black and white print is fine) and you will travel with it to Yemen

-        At arrival to Sana’a airport (or Socotra airport) you will present your passport and visa approval and the real a visa sticker will be put into your passport (with validity for next 30 days from the date of entering Yemen)

-        You will proceed through the passport control and the Eternal Yemen’s representative will meet you and you will proceed as per the program

-       In case of staying in Yemen for more than 2 weeks, you have to register at police station - Eternal Yemen staff will do this for you.


Thursday, March 20, 2014

LAST MOMENT: Guaranteed tour at eternal Yemen, tour and travel operator, round Soqotra, Sana'a and surrounding mountain areas from 17.4. - 27.4. 2014.


One of our travelers is searching companion(s) for 11-days tour to Sana'a, few days of mountains and one week of Soqotra Island.

The dates of the tour: arrival to Yemen should be 17.4. early morning or 16.4. late evening. departure from Yemen on 28.4. morning.

Anyone that is interested to join this tour should contact us as soon as possible to
info@eternal-yemen.com , and we will give you all the information.

ON, ON !!!

Together, we are stronger, together the tour will be cheaper !!!

 www.eternal-yemen.com


Saturday, February 1, 2014

Jemen je izjemen, tako kot je izJemna Tina Zorman iz Jemna

Tale prispevek je definitivno bolj zanimiv za slovenske poslušalce kot
za koga drugega :)

Torej, vsi ki bi radi slišali nekaj malega o Jemnu, vabljeni k poslušanju.

http://www.val202.si/2014/01/jemen-je-izjemen-tako-kot-je-izjemna-tina-iz-jemna/



Prav vsem, ki pa si želite potovati po tej čudoviti, kot že veste, izjemni deželi, pa lahko v okviru naše turistične agencije Eternal Yemen organiziramo potovanje. Pišite nam na info@eternal-yemen.com in pripravili vam bomo program potovanja, prilagojen vašemu času, željam in budgetu. Za vse naše potnike uredimo tudi jemenski vizum.

Jemen preprosto morate videti ! 

Trenutno lahko varno obiščete glavno mesto Sana'a, zahodni Jemen in seveda 
magični otok Sokotra



Ne me vprašati kaj je najlepše, kajti vsako od naštetih je poglavje zase. Stari del glavnega mesta Sana'a, je s svojo arhitekturo, svojo pristno arabsko tržnico in vsakodnevnim življenjem na sanaanskih ulicah preprosto mesto, ki ga morate v življenju videti. 



Potovanje po zahodnem Jemnu je preprosto nekaj "odbitega". Postreglo vam bo z raznolikimi pokrajinami, ki na trenutke jemljejo dih, v vsaki regiji se boste srečali z drugo arhitekturo, imeli boste ogromno stika z domačini (od otrok do starcev, žensk in vojakov), poskusili se boste v žvečenju qata, v jemenskih plesih, uživali ob preprosti, vendar okusni jemenski hrani, kjer "super živila" uporabljajo vsakodnevno, nevede. Več vam pa ne povem, vsak bo začutil deželo po svoje, obljubim pa, da nikogar ne bo pustila ravnodušnega. 



In Sokotra, ta magični otok (ne hecam se, tam so v zraku nenavadne energije), ta oaza endemičnih rastlin, ki me kliče vsak dan, je pravi raj za ljubitelje narave, rastlin, pohodnike, ljubitelje lepih plaž, pa tudi za tiste, ki bi se le radi odpočili od prehitrega sveta, od mobilnih telefonov, ur in budilk. 

Če ste pripravljeni žrtvovati teden dni domačega ali hotelskega udobja v zameno za prebujanje s soncem sredi čudovite narave, za večere, kjer vam bodo zvezde bližje kot kadarkoli in kjer se boste polne lune skorajda dotaknili, je Sokotra prava stvar za vas in se odločite za kakega od naših avanturističnih programov na otoku, kjer v hotel ne boste niti pokukali. Ker pa smo si ljudje različni, imamo potovalne programe na Sokotri tudi za tiste, ki želite videti otok, vendar bi vsak večer vseeno radi imeli svojo sobo, posteljo in tuš. 



Kdor ima vsaj deset dni časa, lahko v potovanje vključi vse tri regije in v prihodnjih treh mesecih je to idealna kombinacija, kajti spomladi je Sokotra najlepša, medtem ko se zahodni del jemenske celine da obiskati preko celega leta.

Jemen vas vabi, vabi na popotovanje vašega življenja !