Donkeys are still used in Yemen's day to day transportation.

March 23, 2006. Villages are built on top of mountains...

...stones houses hanging on the side of cliffs.

Our first few of the village of Kawkaban.

The village is located 2800km from the base of Jebel Kawkaban.

Locals make their home in caves of the mountain.

A local boy watches us walk up the mountain.

Our rocky path up Jebel Kawkaban.

Great view of Shibam, where we parked our motorcycles.

Half way up the mountain.

There is actually a house on the lonely mountain peak.

Ruby walking along the path and an ancient bridge.

We made it to the top and just in case we weren't 100% sure. A English sign. A rare occurance.

Most of the hill top village had only one (1) entrance gate.

The village used to be walled...

...excellent view of the landscapes and Shibam and Thilla.

A view of the nearby Husn Thula fortress seen from Jebel Kawkaban.

Closer view of one of the oldest mosques in Yemen in Shibam.

The morning souq in full swing.

Mike enjoying the incredible view.

Most of Kawkaban has seen better days.

Part of Kawkaban souq.

Some perspective of the steepness and elevation of the village location.

Kawkaban cistern, still in use today.

Another cistern in the village.

The stairway to the bottom for the cistern.

This one is in excellent shape.

This is the main supply of water to the hill top village.

On our way down we are accompanied by...

...a local kid and his herd of goats.

The town of Shibam not be be confused with the town in Hadramawt.

Shibam boasts one of the oldest mosques in Yemen.

An idea of dress code in Yemen.

The streets of Thilla (Thula).

The village of Thula is better preserved then Kawkaban...

...and shows some of the better stone houses with decorative windows and doors.

Thilla (Thula) and the Husn Thula fortress in the background.

March 24, 2006. Dar al-Hajar located in Wadi Dhahr.

About 14km northwest of San'a.

Rock palace called Dar al-Hajar.

Five story summer palace built by an imam...

...around 1786.

The complete palace is open to public...

...and gives some great views from every room. Even this tomb room.

The rooms are traditionally furnished.

Surrounding landscape and Wadi Dhahr.

Our journey up to Shaharah (Shihara).

A journey that none of us will ever forget.

The 11km climb to the top of the village...

...took us 3hrs in 4WD Low.

The steep mountains are terraced for farming.

The road to hell or to the most incredible place we ever seen.

The tour book indicates shocking road. It was an understatement.

The gang. Olivier, Adnan, Addy, Mike & Ruby. Enjoying every minute of it.

The town of Shaharah at 2620m. The town cistern.

The ususal amazing views. High in the clowds.

Every space of every mountain is covered with man made terraces for farming.

Shaharah (Shihara).

View of the surrounding mountains and wadi below.

We can't believe that people actually life up here.

In fact 3000 people call Shaharah (Shihara) home.

Who built all these terraces. The amount of work is unimagable.

The people are very friendly.

A typcial stone house.

The town even had a jail and court house.

Our every movement was watched with great interest.

The walk to the famouse stone bridge past the town cistern.

Our first view of the 17th centurey stone bridge.

This picture is seen on all posters and travel books.

It is said that the bridge was built by one (1) person.

Ruby on the bridge.

The gang hanging out on the bridge.

Even for our Yemeni friends this was an experience they won't forget in a long time.

Mike shooting the machine gun into the gorge.

The locals showed us around.

Mike on the bridge.

The bridge linkstwo villages previously unconnected because of the deep gorge.

Thank you Adnan & Addy for making this happen.

A picture that hold so many great memories.

The happy couple.

The rulers former home.

The locals provided a traditional meal for a hungry crew.

A rainbow frames the town of Shaharah (Shihara) as we leave. What a way to say good-bye.

Back in San'a and the view from our hotel.

San's under blue sky. Due to the surrounding mountains ...

and high elevation it is rare to see no clouds in the skies.

Making fresh bread.

Eating at the old town souq with the locals. Yummy.

Lula Kabob. Our supper most days. 300 Riyals ($2.00CDN) for 12.

Kids playing in the streets of San'a.

Woman dress code.

A local resting and chewing qat.

It is custom for males to hold hands.

We spend ours watching locals and their customs.

March 26, 2006. On our way to Manakhah.

Local kids selling qat on the side of the road.

Manakhah is 95km southwest of San'a. The road is incredible as it winds it way through the mountains.

Hill top villages blend in with surroundings.

The scenery is gorgeous.

These are the Haraz Mountain Range.

Our first view of Al-Hajjarah.

A 11th century hilltop village.

The village is very well preserved.

A view of its terraces for growing qat and coffee.

The steps leading to the only entrance gate to the walled town of Al-Hajjarah.

This gate still closes every night at 8pm.

A local boy was our guide for the day.

The date is ingraved in the header of the door.

This shows how the houses are built on the edge of cliffs.

Local streets.

Al-Hajjarah originally was divided into two. The upper portion was the Muslim quarter.

And the lower part outside the gate was the Al-Ba'aha quarter inhabited by Jews, which fled to Israel in the 1950's.

The village is a great place to explore.

And so many picture opportunities.

We decide to stay the night at the local Funduq (guesthouse).

Funduq normally provides you with a room and a mattress on the floor. Separate bathroom. Very cozy.

We decide to take a 7km hike into the wadi below...

... guided by the local boy we pass by dry cisterns....

...coffee and qat plantations.

...it definitely proved better to walk then take the motorcycles.

Coffee trees. Or maybe qat trees.

Our hike takes us through another hill top village.

Steps into a cistern.

A local builts this first level of his home by hand. The construction has taken him 6 years. Each stone is carved by hand.

Different vegetation.

Another view of Al-Hajjarah.

The locals built these villages on these hill tops to protect from intruders and to allow for the use of more farm land.

Supper at the funduq. A meal for a King. The food is great in Yemen.

Locals dancings.

Of course I was pulled into the middle of the festivities.

It was great to watch.

Something that we are glad we experienced.

Hanging out with the musicians and dancers.

Scenery from San'a south to Ta'izz.

The mountain ranges become more green.

The terraces are being farmed already.

Excellent paved roads for a change.

Mountain range just before descending into Ibb.

2800m high pass.

Bab al-Kabir, the main entrance to the old town in Ta'izz. Souq in full swing.

One of the two (2) gates remaining.

Climbing Jebel Sabir and a view of Qalat al -Qahira fortress.

The taxi drops us off at the top of Jebel Sabir (3010m) and disappears.

The view from the top of Jebel Sabir.

As we walk through the hill top village we are asked to ...

...pictures of the locals. They love seeing their picture on the digital camera.

March 30, 2006. Zabid, originally built in AD 820 and now a World Heritage Site. Main Gate Entrance.

Staying in Al-Hudayda. The motorcycles and Mike attract the ususal attention.

Setting up camp on the Red Sea.

Our home for a night by Salif Port.

Ocean, sun and a couple chairs. What else do you need.

Shell collecting on the beach.

Watching the sun set...

...in Yemen. Good-bye to a most memorable country.