by buffybot_in_beirut » Sun Mar 12, 2017 5:34 pm
Was twice on the mainland before the shit really hit the fan. Got to Shibam while it was still okay although getting a bit iffy. (Fly-in, fly-out, and local officials both surprised and nervous at seeing me.) Yemen is an absolutely unique country. No remotely similar architecture anywhere in the world. Aden is alright, but nowhere as enchanting as Sana'a, so in my opinion not even worth a small risk. I never got to Socotra, but it looks like everybody who went there loved it. It is known chiefly for its unique and weird nature, but it is not what people typically associate with Yemen. Nevertheless, you might want to keep an eye on these direct international flights. Even if the airline refuels on the mainland it should not be too risky - few civilian pilots have a death wish...
Really a damned shame that Yemen and Syria are off the travel list, most likely for many years to come.