TARGET 160504
THE STRANGE BEAUTY OF
SOCOTRA ISLAND
If you looked at the cities of Socotra Island, you would feel that you had been transported back to "Aladin's Lamp" days many centuries ago. And, in fact, you would be correct. But that would not have been the first thing you would have noticed about the place. The other thing would have convinced you of its even more prehistoric nature... its trees - some of which are the same as fossils found from 20 million years ago.
The Dorstenia gigas plant that does not require any soil but grows its roots directly into solid rock.
The "Desert Rose" (adenium obesium) which looks more like an elephant's leg has been cut off and began growing flowers.
The dracena cinnibaris or Dragon's Blood Tree, the source of valuable resin for varnishes, dyes, and "cure-all" medicine; also used in medieval ritual magic and alchemy. From below it looks like a flying saucer and from the side, it looks like a huge green topped mushroom.
And other trees and plants which simply make you wonder what God or evolution had in mind.
NOTE: So, you may be wondering why I tagged this target as possibly emotional. Basically, it was because I know that those viewers who are always trying to name or identify the target will have experienced confusion and frustration during their sessions, leading to analytic mistakes that will probably have sent them off viewing who-knows-what other targets. Almost anything you get about this targeted location will be abnormal to your mind. But, if you followed the rule of "Describe, don't identify!", then you will have done all right. I hope that this has been a good target to teach viewers that very important lesson.
Now, for the more advanced viewers, some scalar (measurements, etc.) and statistical feedback:
Socotra Island is one island in a group of four which have been geographically isolated from mainland Africa for the last 6 or 7 million years. Like the Galapagos Islands, this island is teeming with 700 extremely rare species of almost prehistoric plants and animals, 1/3 of which are found nowhere else on Earth.
Socotra Island is situated in the Indian Ocean 250 km (155 miles) from Somalia and 340 km (211 miles) from Yemen. It is the biggest island in the Middle East; 125 km (77.7 miles) in length and 45 km (27.9 miles) across.
The climate is harsh, hot, and dry, and yet it has wide sandy beaches that rise to limestone plateaus full of caves, some 7 km (4+ miles) in length and mountains up to 1,525 metres (over 5000 feet) high.
"Socotra" is derived from the Sanskrit word meaning "Island of Bliss". There are almost no roads on the island, in spite of the fact that there are hilltop towns in which almost 40,000 people live. The Yemeni government put in the first roads a few years ago after negotiations with UNESCO, which has named the island a World Heritage Site. The roads, though, are rough and almost require a land rover to navigate. There are beautiful beaches, but no beachfront hotels, no restaurants, no souvenir shops and nothing that outsiders would call real "businesses". The whole economy is geared towards eco-dependent and traditional ways of life.
If you got impressions for which this feedback is insufficient, more information,
pictures and videos can be found at the following web sites:
Bin's Corner web site
When On Earth web site (great info & pictures)
Wikipedia
The World of Truth web site (info on all the tree types)
Youtube video & picture tour
YouTube tour of the island by paragliders
Many thanks to Lori Williams for this target.