Mukalla City
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Fuwah (6.4 Km) Sharj Ba Salim (0.8 nm) Dis (0.2 nm) Khalaf (1.4 nm)
Al Mukalla is the capital of Hadramaut. It is the most important port in the province of Hadhramaut. Historically, it was a main trading destination for trade between India and Africa.
It was ruled by the Sultanate of Quaiti until 1967 when it became a part of South Yemen (before the Unification 1990)and then of the larger Republic of Yemen.
It's also a port, southeastern Yemen, on the Hadhramaut coast . The largest settlement It's the most important port in the eastern part of the country, it is a centre of the fishing industry and has a fish-canning plant and a fish meal factory. It is also a marketplace for Fish products, tobacco, and other goods which are exported. Fishermen were the first to settle in Mukalla, having immigrated from adjacent regions, In this city, the first Princedom of Al-Kasad was established in the 18th 19th century AD, This prosperity gave this city the architectural style of Coastal cities which lie on the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea such as Aqaba, Jeddah, Hodeidah, Mokha, Luhayya, and Aden. All these cities lost their original style.Mukalla kept that which may now be seen only in the old ‘downtown’ of Mukalla city. It is a style combining the features of Arabian and south-east Asian architecture.
Mukalla’s Prominent Features Qu’aiti Palace, which was built by Sultan Omer Bin Awadah Qu’aiti. Mukalla Archaeological Museum now occupies a part of this palace.
Al-Mukalla is a prosperous port and an important centre of fishing, dedicated to export. With approximately 300,000 inhabitants, it is the fourth city of Yemen. The port of Al-Mukalla is active since centuries. After the revolution of 1967, the increase in the population involved the development of the suburbs, making lose to the city charms.
The African migration accelerated during the last decades with the arrival of the refugees from Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia, devastated by the war.
The economy of Mukalla is based upon fishing industry, fish-canning and a fish-meal factory. From its port, fish, tobacco and other products are exported. Boat building is also important to Mukalla’s economy. The architecture of Mukalla is attractive and is dominated by white houses, that create a strong effect when seen towards the brown mountains or the dark blue sea. The houses are built according to patterns that represent a mixture between Arabic, Yemeni and Indian patterns and decorations,
Places to Visit &Things to Do in Al Mukalla
1-Husn al-Ghuwayzi
Husn Al Guwayzi is a small fortress, builded in 1884 by a rich merchant family of the city, used in the past as a custom house and guards house. It is wonderful how it was built up on this rock, near to the cliff. It seems it should fall in any moment!
Perched on a hill, at the exit of the city of Al-Mukalla, this small fortress, is a beautiful example of Yemeni architecture.
2- Mukalla fish market:
You have to wake up early to visit the fish market of Mukalla: fishers boats come back to the modern harbour after fishing all the night and then they have to sell fish quickly, because of the ho weather. Mukalla fish market is well known, perhaps the only one more important in Yemen is Al- Hudeyda market. The market is a unique and "hard" experience. The smell of fish, hot weather, the blood,... Some people cannot overcome this. Sharks are usually sold in this market, in a great number of them.
3-Bir Ali
Most of travel agencies do include Bir Ali in their itineray, so don't miss this chance to relax by the sea. Accommodation options on the beach are limited: 1. Beach guesthouse : Rooms with bathroom with mattresses on floor. Option only if you want to sleep quieter. Rooms tend to be hot during the day (and night) and a generator provides electricity. 2. Beach houses where mattresses are provided. Less comfortable but far more romantic As for food.
4-Mukalla Fascinating beaches:
In the evening, most of Mukallah´s activity occurs in the seafront, where the old harbour was placed. There Yemenis spent a nice time, children usually jump to the sea in a competition.
5- Khor Al Mukalla
is now the central point in Mukalla; the water-way, created just early last year, has become the main attraction and focal point. It is a special gift:, in the evenings, walking along the water-way is extremely fascinating ,. In the evenings, especially after sunset, it is cooler and quieter; and excellent for brisk walking and working a sweat. Along the Khor too, are nice restaurants and places for resting and relaxing; excellent for families. As violent crime is very rare and almost non existent in Mukalla, one can enjoy the place even after mid-night; it is the safest city I can think of. And best of all: children are treated very kindly and women are treated with lots of respect .
With the creation of the ‘Khor’, several other places - just as relaxing and attractive - have been built around Mukalla.The other favorite place is around the Qhalf area, South-East of Mukalla proper: Qhalf is where people mostly take their family for outings , and where too, we can easily watch dolphins and enjoy the sea. Sometimes, they are rewarded with very spectacular and acrobatic shows by the dolphins. Qhalf too, has very clear, blue waters; bluer and clearer than that on the renowned Diani Beach on the Kenyan coast.
Mukalla is still a very strange place and difficult to describe - a mixture of the very old and the very modern: all the women in the streets, are dressed in black and most of the men in ’sarongs’; fashion is not of much concern or importance along the streets. Some parts are still traditioal in appearance, especially the Old Town; goats and sheep, still wander the streets; and lots of cats. Plastic garbage bags are strewn almost every where; buildings, are haphazardly put up - some half finished, which makes some parts of Mukalla look like a war zone. And yet, the latest SUV models cruise the streets; and, to me, it seems almost every one has a mobile cell-phone and almost every house has a satellite dish. Internet cafes, and modern shops and restaurants - are springing up almost every where around Mukalla. On the whole, Mukalla - with it’s stunning surrounding scenery, very blue, clear waters - could turn out to be one of the most beautiful cities with time and care. One can only understand and appreciate Mukalla, by seeing it and being in it.
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