<strong>Saving Socotra:</strong> Travel writers Hilary Bradt and Janice Booth have launched a crowdfunding appeal to raise the finances to publish the"first and only" guidebook to Socotra, an island off the Horn of Africa.
Saving Socotra: Travel writers Hilary Bradt and Janice Booth have launched a crowdfunding appeal to raise the finances to publish the"first and only" guidebook to Socotra, an island off the Horn of Africa.
Chris Miller
<strong>Potential threat: </strong>The authors are concerned that a turbulent political situation in Socotra will jeopardize its future, and believe the publication of their book will make the island more "internationally visible" and boost tourism in the future.<br />
Potential threat: The authors are concerned that a turbulent political situation in Socotra will jeopardize its future, and believe the publication of their book will make the island more "internationally visible" and boost tourism in the future.
Chris Miller
<strong>Tiny island: </strong>Although it's the largest of the four islands in Socotra Archipelago, Socotra covers an area of just 3,796 square kilometers.
Tiny island: Although it's the largest of the four islands in Socotra Archipelago, Socotra covers an area of just 3,796 square kilometers.
Chris Miller
<strong>Unique destination:</strong> Often referred to as the "Galapagos of the Indian Ocean," Socotra is filled with spectacular endemic species such as the Dragon Blood Tree (or Dracaena cinnabari).
Unique destination: Often referred to as the "Galapagos of the Indian Ocean," Socotra is filled with spectacular endemic species such as the Dragon Blood Tree (or Dracaena cinnabari).
Chris Miller
<strong>Rich fauna:</strong> Approximately 11 of the 220 bird species recorded on the island are endemic.<br />
Rich fauna: Approximately 11 of the 220 bird species recorded on the island are endemic.
Chris Miller
<strong>Natural beauty:</strong> "When we saw where it [Socotra] was going politically, we didn't want to delay," says Bradt. "Nor did we want a cut price version of this book, because the island is so photogenic."<br />
Natural beauty: "When we saw where it [Socotra] was going politically, we didn't want to delay," says Bradt. "Nor did we want a cut price version of this book, because the island is so photogenic."
Chris Miller
<strong>Beautiful coastline: </strong>The island is filled with stunning beaches, the most popular being the Detwah Lagoon.
Beautiful coastline: The island is filled with stunning beaches, the most popular being the Detwah Lagoon.
Chris Miller
<strong>Raising awareness:</strong> "An authoritative guide book, which we do think ours is, can help enormously," says Booth. "It just gives the place a little more stature."
Raising awareness: "An authoritative guide book, which we do think ours is, can help enormously," says Booth. "It just gives the place a little more stature."
Chris Miller
<strong>Publishing quest:</strong> Bradt and Booth have set a £10,000 ($13,000) crowdfunding target, which will cover the costs of printing and producing the guidebook.
Publishing quest: Bradt and Booth have set a £10,000 ($13,000) crowdfunding target, which will cover the costs of printing and producing the guidebook.
Chris Miller
<strong>Swan song: </strong>"We're not going to be traveling to places like Socotra, where you have to camp, for many more years," adds Bradt. "So it's [the book's] just a wonderful end to two traveling careers."
Swan song: "We're not going to be traveling to places like Socotra, where you have to camp, for many more years," adds Bradt. "So it's [the book's] just a wonderful end to two traveling careers."
Chris Miller