Go Back  British Expats > Living & Moving Abroad > Middle East
Reload this Page >

Travel to Sana'a these days?

Travel to Sana'a these days?

Old Mar 10th 2013, 2:28 pm
  #1  
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 164
miuser2 is a jewel in the roughmiuser2 is a jewel in the roughmiuser2 is a jewel in the roughmiuser2 is a jewel in the rough
Default Travel to Sana'a these days?

I may be heading to Sana'a soon, it's somewhere I've always wanted to visit but I'd also like to return in one piece. Can anyone with first-hand knowledge give an impression of the security situation there at present? The UK FCO just says "don't go" - is this overly cautious or is Sana'a really too dangerous to consider for Westerners at the moment?
miuser2 is offline  
Old Mar 10th 2013, 2:36 pm
  #2  
BE Forum Addict
 
Patsy Stoned's Avatar
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Dubai
Posts: 4,403
Patsy Stoned has a reputation beyond reputePatsy Stoned has a reputation beyond reputePatsy Stoned has a reputation beyond reputePatsy Stoned has a reputation beyond reputePatsy Stoned has a reputation beyond reputePatsy Stoned has a reputation beyond reputePatsy Stoned has a reputation beyond reputePatsy Stoned has a reputation beyond reputePatsy Stoned has a reputation beyond reputePatsy Stoned has a reputation beyond reputePatsy Stoned has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Travel to Sana'a these days?

Originally Posted by miuser2
I may be heading to Sana'a soon, it's somewhere I've always wanted to visit but I'd also like to return in one piece. Can anyone with first-hand knowledge give an impression of the security situation there at present? The UK FCO just says "don't go" - is this overly cautious or is Sana'a really too dangerous to consider for Westerners at the moment?
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-...h-africa/yemen

I think you would be mad to go there against this advise unless the company that you are working for has high security and an escape plan!
Patsy Stoned is offline  
Old Mar 10th 2013, 4:02 pm
  #3  
Knee deep and rising
 
weasel decentral's Avatar
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,007
weasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Travel to Sana'a these days?

Originally Posted by miuser2
I may be heading to Sana'a soon, it's somewhere I've always wanted to visit but I'd also like to return in one piece. Can anyone with first-hand knowledge give an impression of the security situation there at present? The UK FCO just says "don't go" - is this overly cautious or is Sana'a really too dangerous to consider for Westerners at the moment?
I am knocking about in Yemen at the moment, all is fairly peaceful nothing to be unduly worried about. There is a conference in Sana'a next weekend regarding the south/north problem so it might be better to avoid that.
You will struggle perhaps to get a visa as a tourist though but it mightn't be totally impossible.
weasel decentral is offline  
Old Mar 10th 2013, 4:52 pm
  #4  
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 164
miuser2 is a jewel in the roughmiuser2 is a jewel in the roughmiuser2 is a jewel in the roughmiuser2 is a jewel in the rough
Default Re: Travel to Sana'a these days?

Originally Posted by weasel decentral
I am knocking about in Yemen at the moment, all is fairly peaceful nothing to be unduly worried about. There is a conference in Sana'a next weekend regarding the south/north problem so it might be better to avoid that.
You will struggle perhaps to get a visa as a tourist though but it mightn't be totally impossible.
Good to know, thanks. I'll be on a business visa if I go so no worries there.
miuser2 is offline  
Old Mar 10th 2013, 5:02 pm
  #5  
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 164
miuser2 is a jewel in the roughmiuser2 is a jewel in the roughmiuser2 is a jewel in the roughmiuser2 is a jewel in the rough
Default Re: Travel to Sana'a these days?

Originally Posted by Patsy Stoned
I think you would be mad to go there against this advise unless the company that you are working for has high security and an escape plan!
Thanks Patsy. I find the FCO advice tends to be over-cautious, the impression I have is that the risk is low (within Sana'a at least). If you really want a good scare then check out the US warnings for just about anywhere: (http://travel.state.gov/travel/)
miuser2 is offline  
Old Mar 10th 2013, 5:55 pm
  #6  
Knee deep and rising
 
weasel decentral's Avatar
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,007
weasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Travel to Sana'a these days?

Originally Posted by miuser2
Good to know, thanks. I'll be on a business visa if I go so no worries there.
Better to have a local with you if you can at all, especially a good driver or someone who knows the score. Its not exactly wander about like a tourist kind of place at the moment.
Other than Sana'a, Taiz or Aden I wouldn't risk other places and certainly no trips into tribal lands. Sana'a is about the most dangerous by the way
Check out the old city, Dar al Hajr, Salah mosque and maybe a flight to Socotra if you get a few days and a few others I can't think of right now. Taj Sheba is a good hotel to stay at in Sana'a
weasel decentral is offline  
Old Mar 10th 2013, 6:41 pm
  #7  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
Millhouse's Avatar
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Disneyland, Dubai
Posts: 15,887
Millhouse has a reputation beyond reputeMillhouse has a reputation beyond reputeMillhouse has a reputation beyond reputeMillhouse has a reputation beyond reputeMillhouse has a reputation beyond reputeMillhouse has a reputation beyond reputeMillhouse has a reputation beyond reputeMillhouse has a reputation beyond reputeMillhouse has a reputation beyond reputeMillhouse has a reputation beyond reputeMillhouse has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Travel to Sana'a these days?

Originally Posted by weasel decentral
There is a conference in Sana'a next weekend regarding the south/north problem so it might be better to avoid that.
I was suppose to go next week but our security team blocked it because of this conference.

Our resident guy there says its better than it was... he has been moved into a regular compound now rather than imprisoned in the Movenpick
Millhouse is offline  
Old Mar 10th 2013, 7:13 pm
  #8  
Account Closed
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 0
scrubbedexpat141 scrubbedexpat141 scrubbedexpat141 scrubbedexpat141 scrubbedexpat141 scrubbedexpat141 scrubbedexpat141 scrubbedexpat141 scrubbedexpat141 scrubbedexpat141 scrubbedexpat141
Default Re: Travel to Sana'a these days?

Originally Posted by Millhouse
I was suppose to go next week but our security team blocked it because of this conference.

Our resident guy there says its better than it was... he has been moved into a regular compound now rather than imprisoned in the Movenpick
Hi Millhouse, we'd like you to look at this situation we've got, it's in the Maldives?

No thanks, I'd rather go to Kabul.

You love a random fridge magnet eh.
scrubbedexpat141 is offline  
Old Mar 11th 2013, 4:27 am
  #9  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
 
Millhouse's Avatar
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Disneyland, Dubai
Posts: 15,887
Millhouse has a reputation beyond reputeMillhouse has a reputation beyond reputeMillhouse has a reputation beyond reputeMillhouse has a reputation beyond reputeMillhouse has a reputation beyond reputeMillhouse has a reputation beyond reputeMillhouse has a reputation beyond reputeMillhouse has a reputation beyond reputeMillhouse has a reputation beyond reputeMillhouse has a reputation beyond reputeMillhouse has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Travel to Sana'a these days?

Originally Posted by Scamp
You love a random fridge magnet eh.
I do try my best to collect fridge magnets from these places but they generally do not have them. That said, it is possible to buy a 35mm camera in Yemen Duty Free... I didn't check to see if they had film though. Probably not.
Millhouse is offline  
Old Mar 11th 2013, 5:47 am
  #10  
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 164
miuser2 is a jewel in the roughmiuser2 is a jewel in the roughmiuser2 is a jewel in the roughmiuser2 is a jewel in the rough
Default Re: Travel to Sana'a these days?

Originally Posted by weasel decentral
Better to have a local with you if you can at all, especially a good driver or someone who knows the score. Its not exactly wander about like a tourist kind of place at the moment.
Other than Sana'a, Taiz or Aden I wouldn't risk other places and certainly no trips into tribal lands. Sana'a is about the most dangerous by the way
Check out the old city, Dar al Hajr, Salah mosque and maybe a flight to Socotra if you get a few days and a few others I can't think of right now. Taj Sheba is a good hotel to stay at in Sana'a
Good advice, thank you. I heard that the Burj Al Salaam was the best place to stay in Sana'a, do you know it? Unfortunately I won't be there long enough for a trip to Socotra, that will have to remain on the todo list for now.
miuser2 is offline  
Old Mar 11th 2013, 6:18 am
  #11  
Knee deep and rising
 
weasel decentral's Avatar
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,007
weasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Travel to Sana'a these days?

Originally Posted by miuser2
Good advice, thank you. I heard that the Burj Al Salaam was the best place to stay in Sana'a, do you know it? Unfortunately I won't be there long enough for a trip to Socotra, that will have to remain on the todo list for now.
Yeah I know it, its a small hotel in the centre of the old city. Nice roof terrace there also. Its a bit of a pain to get to with all the narrow crowded streets but if you are in no major panic or have an easy schedule it would be a nice spot to stay. You can stroll around the old city from there, you'll meet a hundred kids outside wanting to be your guide (and bring you to their mates shops) but you'll need one as its a total maze.
Nice Yemeni food restaurant called Al Shibani in a district called Hadda, go upstairs to the main area.
The movenpick hotel is on the outskirts of the city by the way, but used to have a fairly insane nightclub in the basement. Not sure if its still open
weasel decentral is offline  
Old Mar 11th 2013, 6:20 am
  #12  
Knee deep and rising
 
weasel decentral's Avatar
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,007
weasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Travel to Sana'a these days?

Originally Posted by Millhouse
I do try my best to collect fridge magnets from these places but they generally do not have them. That said, it is possible to buy a 35mm camera in Yemen Duty Free... I didn't check to see if they had film though. Probably not.
You can buy a jumbiya (the curvy knife) there also and carry it on the plane. Well on internal flights anyhow, Felix airways are like a bus with wings.
weasel decentral is offline  
Old Mar 11th 2013, 9:25 am
  #13  
Powered by cows
 
Autonomy's Avatar
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Location: currently Dubai, ex UK
Posts: 4,582
Autonomy has a reputation beyond reputeAutonomy has a reputation beyond reputeAutonomy has a reputation beyond reputeAutonomy has a reputation beyond reputeAutonomy has a reputation beyond reputeAutonomy has a reputation beyond reputeAutonomy has a reputation beyond reputeAutonomy has a reputation beyond reputeAutonomy has a reputation beyond reputeAutonomy has a reputation beyond reputeAutonomy has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Travel to Sana'a these days?

Originally Posted by miuser2
Good advice, thank you. I heard that the Burj Al Salaam was the best place to stay in Sana'a, do you know it? Unfortunately I won't be there long enough for a trip to Socotra, that will have to remain on the todo list for now.
I went a few years ago and stayed at the Burj Al Salaam - it's a boutique hotel not chain etc - I liked it for a tourist stay, not sure if it's great for business and as mentioned it is right in the middle of the old part of town.

Here is a long thread about my trip

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...light=yemen+al

No idea on the safety now, but back then all felt ok.

I loved it there and would like to go back again sometime...
Autonomy is offline  
Old Mar 11th 2013, 2:20 pm
  #14  
BE Enthusiast
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 605
gottheTshirt is a name known to allgottheTshirt is a name known to allgottheTshirt is a name known to allgottheTshirt is a name known to allgottheTshirt is a name known to allgottheTshirt is a name known to allgottheTshirt is a name known to allgottheTshirt is a name known to allgottheTshirt is a name known to allgottheTshirt is a name known to allgottheTshirt is a name known to all
Default Re: Travel to Sana'a these days?

Originally Posted by weasel decentral
Yeah I know it, its a small hotel in the centre of the old city. Nice roof terrace there also. Its a bit of a pain to get to with all the narrow crowded streets but if you are in no major panic or have an easy schedule it would be a nice spot to stay. You can stroll around the old city from there, you'll meet a hundred kids outside wanting to be your guide (and bring you to their mates shops) but you'll need one as its a total maze.
Nice Yemeni food restaurant called Al Shibani in a district called Hadda, go upstairs to the main area.
The movenpick hotel is on the outskirts of the city by the way, but used to have a fairly insane nightclub in the basement. Not sure if its still open
The movenpick used to sell drink also the British embassy bar. Is this still the case.?
gottheTshirt is offline  
Old Mar 11th 2013, 2:55 pm
  #15  
Knee deep and rising
 
weasel decentral's Avatar
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,007
weasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond reputeweasel decentral has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: Travel to Sana'a these days?

Originally Posted by gottheTshirt
The movenpick used to sell drink also the British embassy bar. Is this still the case.?
There is no problem getting alcohol in Sana'a, there were lots of hotels and bars up until about mid 2010 but then a lot closed with the outbreak of the trouble. But its still not hard to have a drink or even buy a few bottles of whiskey or whatever, its not like Saudi its all fairly liberal. You can pretty much carry gallons in through the airport with no trouble.
British Embassy bar is closed since 2010, it was an infrequent opener anyhow. And full of bloody Brits
Pretty good hashish found here also, with no real difficulties.And Khat of course if you like to eat your garden hedge.
weasel decentral is offline  

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.