Yemen: Socotra slowly connects with the outside world

After centuries of neglect, the remote Yemeni island of Socotra is slowly building links with the rest of the world. One of four islands and two rocky islets that form an archipelago of the same name to the east of the Gulf of Aden, Socotra was – until its airport opened in 1999 – shut off for large parts of the year, made inaccessible by the monsoon’s punishing winds. A former prison island, it is known for its distinctive flora and fauna, and its rich traditions so long untouched by modernity. The past 15 years have marked a period of change, however.