On paper (or in a guidebook) Aden may seem to have quite a few attractions but there’s not much to see apart from the Aden Tanks. Of course, there’s beer (which isn’t quite me) and the beach.
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- On our host’s rooftop.
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- View from our host’s rooftop looking out towards Al-Tawahi.
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- Upside down ship. It isn’t the USS Cole.
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- View from our host’s rooftop looking out towards Al-Tawahi.
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- View from our road.
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- Aden’s clock tower in the distance.
For some reason we chose the difficult way to go swimming at the beach. We walked and climbed up and over a hill (partially with no track) to our own secluded private beach … and we saved USD5 which would have been payable at a private beach with umbrellas and facilities.
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- Trying to find a free beach and save USD5.
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- Our free private beach.
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- Locals enjoy the water too.
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- The beautiful Arabian Sea.
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- Lighthouse.
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- Locals enjoy the water too.
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- Future resort.
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- Exploring the coastline.
As for the Aden Tanks … they are believed to be from the first century. Thirteen cisterns remain from an original 53 … they used to collect and hold water to minimise flash flooding … and collect water for later use.
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- Aden tanks.
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- Aden tanks.
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- Aden tanks.
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- Aden tanks.
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- The Aden tanks extend up into the hills to stop flash flooding and collect water.
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- Aden tanks.
We finished our time in Aden with a walk at Al-Tawahi, the old British naval area. There is a tourist harbour which I guess is as close as you can get to a marina here.
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- The Crescent Hotel at Al-Tawahi, the old British Navy area.
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- At Al-Tawahi, the old British Navy area.
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- Tourist harbour at Al-Tawahi, the old British Navy area.
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- Tourist harbour at Al-Tawahi, the old British Navy area.
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- Tourist harbour at Al-Tawahi, the old British Navy area.
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- Sunset from Al-Tawahi.
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- Near where we stayed; fish and chips stall in former British Aden … this stall has been there since the British times … it hasn’t moved and hence the fake lorry front.
