I Spent 24H on an Uninhabited Island (Rat-Infested)

In April, I got a chance to go on a trip to the uninhabited island of Darsa as part of my stay in Socotra. We had heard all sorts of myths and legends about this place: the most prominent being that it’s got a sizeable population of rats. We packed light because we treated the trip as a short, initial reconnaissance of the island, to evaluate potential tourism options here in the future! Between friends - it was far from what you'd get on a properly organised, commercial experience 🙂
I’d like to thank my friends Abdullah, Nicola (www.wildseaexpedition.com), and Nicolo (www.welcometosocotra.com/) who organise proper tours of this gorgeous island with their locally-run experiences.
This video is being published with a delay of over 2 months - things have been busy ;)

[@evazubeck]

Thanks everyone for bearing with me over the last month with no uploads. If you'd like to follow my daily updates, head over to my Instagram: instagram.com/evazubeck 😄 Video schedule going back to normal from now on, with weekly videos! Much love 🌸

[@nasser9371]

We need more video from socatra and other island around... and thanks for sharing your video ..

[@user-db4io1id7g]

طيب كيف. السكن تبعكم. وانتم بل شاطئ يمن سقطرة. كيف🤔. انا اذكر مافي. بل شاطئ. فندق كيف🏨🏠

[@aramomer6878]

Where have you been we miss you ? don't make us wait again Ok , keep going Eva 😘❤️🌹.

[@sham-3045]

Really enjoyed the Socotra tour, and your presentation is just awesome ❤️ thanks Eva

[@mr.salman9437]

Eva BTW, if you still in Socotra Island you should have discover the most wonderful caves there, which called Hoq Cave, in Arabic it's كهف حوق ! I always expect you to do a video about the cave, but I wonder may be you don't know about the cave at all. So take the chance since you are there

[@KaraandNate]

Sleeping with rats is my worst nightmare 🙋🏻‍♀️ You handled it like a champ! What an experience! Well done 👏

[@emoundir]

Kara and Nate, here is one of your fans, hope you doing well with new van life...

[@StephyGrowsWeed]

yea my greek husband used to tell scary „rat eats ears at the army“ stories 🤯 Men woke up with half ears eaten off. Don’t know if that is a thing but he sounded really convincing

[@indycuvilly7921]

wait idk kara and nate wachted her this is cool

[@Goingplaceswithskye]

@@StephyGrowsWeed rats definitely will eat human flesh

[@jenniferthom4066]

Bring BIG CATS

[@rhosymedra6628]

My favourite part of this was the exchange of gifts. You give the man iodine that you have and he needed freely and then in thanks he gives you a fish that you needed. Both given with no expectation of anything in return, and both multiply the goodwill when given. God willing we can all have more of this in daily life.

[@umhuzaifaarshad9043]

These Arabs are amazing people they are kind and giving beyond believe.

[@shoebb.9698]

Rats come due to the smell of food, you should eat, cook at a place far from where you want to sleep

[@ffmm2078]

Some people love sprinkles

[@ffmm2078]

Told them to use a bullet instead.

[@triratnawati6490]

Eva always smiles despite difficulties in front of her. What an amazing personality! Thank you very much for the beautiful island on this video. Peace !

[@sakhrtawfik9869]

Wow that amazing. I am Yemeni unfortunately i don't know nothing about my beautiful country. Thank you for showing me and the world this beauty. Take care

[@malikbadsha2067]

Love you from Pakistan

[@abdisamadadam288]

I love yemen and yemenis from somalia . I hope peace and life for them

[@ibrahimkurdi8068]

thank you.. love from Yemen 🇾🇪🇸🇴

[@munirlatif1126]

@@Shazii where are you from

[@munirlatif1126]

@@Shazii where are you from in Pakistan

[@munirlatif1126]

@@Shazii Kia krti hn ap

[@munirlatif1126]

@@Shazii I'm just talking to you

[@EvermindOracle]

You handled that a lot better than I did! I once camped at a pristine hotspring in the Cascade mountains. We slept under the stars.... until I woke up screaming because something was chewing my hair and I thought I was being eaten alive by a bear 🤣 My friends jumped into action and eventually we realized the whole area was teeming with massive rats! I hid in my tent and left the guys outside.... but they didn't last. All three of us ended up crammed into my tiny backpacking tent, literally sleeping on top of each other. Not that we got any sleep.... the rats kept "attacking" the tent and freaking us out. We all screamed like little girls. It was a six hour hike out of there on no sleep.... Most beautiful and remote place I've ever been... and most disturbing night of my life 😅

[@sksz33]

Actually made me laugh out loud just imagining the scene inside the tent 🤣

[@begrateful6153]

When I first came to the US as a war refugee, we were extremely poor and lived in roach infested ghetto apartments in Arlington, VA. I woke up every night screaming from the loud noises roaches made inside my ears. My poor mom, rest her soul, ran to me and poured water in my ear. I had to hold me head tilted to drown the roaches before draining them out. I also developed severe asthma requiring hospitalization. Years later, after I worked four jobs and put myself through college, I began my career as a Speech & Language Pathologist...I finally got health insurance. Guess what my allergist told me? I’m deathly allergic to roaches - this, asthma! You’re lucky you didn’t get bitten by those rats because you never know what diseases they may carry. 🤗

[@sm3675]

Wow. Thankyou for sharing. May God keep blessing you. Alhamdulillah

[@keile3960]

They will likely be clean though. That's an unstained island. Many generations after, these are the latest rat generation, which likely haven't picked up any bad microorganisms.

[@ewokdinodoge5015]

They carry 35 diseases

[@ThanhMaiOFFICIAL]

This is unique content for sure! Appreciate you sharing your story and personal experience. Keep up the awesome content and stay safe 🙌💯

[@evazubeck]

Thanks friend! It's been a wild ride for sure 😀All my best!

[@emiiimm7436]

Eva zu Beck if anyone deserves millions and millions of views it’s you ❤️ Thank God you’ve made it home.

[@adda4ucom]

One of the most beautiful islands I saw. Thank you, Eva.

[@ronniemabitja7040]

I can't get enough of her videos... how she's explaining everything she some how sound like a poet ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@zafarmuradi827]

Just found her channel and she is amazing. One of a kind. Her videos are addicting.

[@pillow5828]

I love how on Evas channel is so positive. I love the dolphins and I got a little scared when I saw the fire being lit and the rat emerging out of the roof.

[@njk9989]

I stopped the video in the middle so I have yet to see the wreck coming out of the ceiling I am scared

[@njk9989]

🤔🙄😳🤦🏼‍♀️

[@anacindo8201]

8:04 this really make me happy We Muslims praying where ever we are ..... Peace.....

[@MrFreezook]

Same here, thank God for Islam.

[@AUChannel]

You Muslims cannot stop preaching

[@2424bayan]

Yes love that part too!

[@stayaamna]

yes same here i loved it

[@stayaamna]

@@AUChannel atleast we don't spread hatred

[@top5tech930]

You have the spirit of a storyteller, it came out naturally. Your content is very engaging aside from the fact that you are adorable visually. And it also has this cinematic/documentary vibe. I'm totally hooked on your channel. Kudos!

[@usman643200]

I think you're one of the best and decent vlogger on youtube. Keep up the good work :)

[@hassanqayyum8954]

Girl: WELCOME TO DARSA :) The rats: *WELCOME TO RAT ISLAND :)*

[@TBLiov]

Yemen is amazing underrated traveling destination! Hopefully peace will come back soon!

[@itchyvet]

Yeah, tell that to the locals there. The ones that are still alive that is.

[@peermohamedaboobacker9156]

@يونس killer and no one now younus don't try anyone's life, if so,you honor one hadees, which says kill a man is like murdering the entire community, mind it.

[@md_malak]

Beautiful video Eva. Loved the simplicity in the story telling.

[@lindennash599]

What a lovely blog. Eva when u smile u light up and your accent very pleasant to the ear and above all your intelligence carry’s the subjects so so well. Thank u Linden

[@ayeshaaa4498]

Girl you're so courageous. You inspire me so much to go explore the raw world bravely before i die. Literally souls like you are 1 in a million

[@reemqureshi9052]

I'm in love with the insane water

[@kinerskorner1]

I always look forward to your video’s!! I can really appreciate your wanderlust!!

[@musaalami84]

I love your work. This was so soothing and released a healthy dose of happiness hormones in my brain!

[@kareemaafteraddiction8965]

Raise your hand if you’re gonna miss Abdullah!!!! I’m so sad bc we probably won’t see him anymore! Maybe we will next time Eva goes out to Socotra...or someone visits Socotra! Awwww Abdullah and his sweet smile!

[@Castroooooooooo]

U have been there,? 😁

[@ffmm2078]

If I survive this poisoned food, no use to complain to the police.

[@SAM-ft8xd]

Hahaha

[@mr.onionmcdick7127]

That was one of the best content I've ever watched! Thank you Eva for sharing this journey and I hope someday I can be able to do this too. 😊

[@dreamsofkaia7275]

First vid of yours I’ve seen and I already subbed! Loved it!! ❤️🔥🙌🏼

[@andrewggopal6117]

Great admiration for your sense of adventure, conveyed and shared beautifully in a concise clip. Many many thanks!!

[@bittewarten3783]

“Oh there are rats here, let’s hide in a cave where we definitely won’t see any”

[@bootscobler5940]

I’ve waited for a vlog from you for so long! While I enjoyed all your insta posts and stories, I still prefer to see you on KZbin. I just love your vlogs and I’m sorry if people made you sad with nasty comments on Instagram. Don’t let them affect you because you make a lot of us happy and have truly gave me joy during the lockdown. Keep it up Eva!

[@evazubeck]

Thanks so much 🙂 Much appreciated!!

[@zurainshah2035]

What comments?

[@helios8626]

@@zurainshah2035 Apparently she got threats on Insta not too lang ago

[@bootscobler5940]

Zurain Shah a few people told her to leave the island and she could be endangering the locals with covid 🙄

[@stephaniev3.083]

You are my hero. Keep going (once free to do so again) and never stop. Thank you for sharing your brave experiences! P.S. I think you should definitely write a book. I would pre-order it right now! 😀

[@MeadowLoves]

I really admire your courage..great travels Eva..I haven’t been in the middle of all your videos..gonna watch them all..learning a lot from all of these..

[@ratatat]

I was trying to figure out who you sounded like and I just got it: Lara Croft in the video games.

[@jesuislapluie695]

Lol

[@bucket7496]

Yees

[@ismahanemlm1032]

True

[@LizetteRoxx77]

I don’t hear it ... the way she speaks minus the accent reminds me of the Nancy Drew games 🤣🤣🤣

[@hannesloh5996]

Wow this is just way too true!

[@zakdjerroum7349]

“A gesture of kindness in exchange for a gesture of kindness, in the middle of nowhere “

[@vijaymuccharla996]

Omg, I'm loving your vlogs.. i feel so happy watching these.. keep exploring ♥️🥰.. will be watching all vlogs those I didn't. Love you💝

[@DavidDiepAU]

Such beautiful footage you have shot! Thank you for sharing.

[@raezhelldianneracho6560]

I'm so amazed by how brave you are for going far on a remote island with all men only.. my anxiety could never lol

[@user-jg7fq8bu6i]

My sister Hanna is a Muslim, a peaceful country, and we love guests, and no guest can be touched badly, and if she's a girl, she's definitely impossible to experience, and of course the island has women.

[@tonnyanthonys2159]

Men we're not that monster as you may think. Men can be and they're loving and caring and with no bad intentions, just enjoying life together

[@Bev324]

Your bad experiences doesn't mean every man is a predator

[@priscillad8]

@@Bev324 you mean experiences that all women have lived? there is no woman who has not gone through this many times, since you are not a woman don't say that to a woman

[@priscillad8]

@@user-jg7fq8bu6i Thanks for letting know, I believe women feel like this of any men, but it seems to me that Muslims are very respectful

[@codyandpricillavendrinsky3337]

Such a beautiful place!! Nice videos! That was so kind n selfless of you to give the boat crew the tents n sleep outside. I dunno if I would have the courage to sleep outside.

[@tashkenty]

One of the best video blogs I’ve seen. Great job!

[@marcosjorge5967]

I'm in love with your videos. I live in Rio and it is nice to be able to see the reality of all the places you travel to. Soooooo exciting. :)

[@mohammedtallib]

Wait wait ... all of this is in Yemen😲😲 I just couldn't imagine how we could be if we have a good government. Omg! Im crying seeing this untouched beauty. تعالوا يا يمنيين شوفوا الجمال اللي ببلادكم ، شوفوا الناس من وين جايين عشان الجمال ذا. نحنا اليمنيين مانقدر نسافر من محافظة الى أخرى كيف نروح لهذه الجزر . آخخ بس ربك كريم.

[@soroyo1536]

الان الإمارات على ماأظن إستولت على الجزيرة

[@user-xl2yu4ll2q]

غدرت بنا الامارات

[@user-yo4jn5kz3j]

It's amazing how they have famine and they gave the fish for free!! Even rats they have their own island and many humans don't have one yet!!. Yemeni shoudl enjoy this beauty

[@user-ni4ot2ot6y]

I just watched 3 of her amazing videos and subscribed right away Love this channel ❤

[@dggamer1930]

One of the most wonderfull vlog ever. Thank u so much for making us exeperience such a beautiful island. ❤️

[@bobbysierraVlogs]

The story of Tuna almost made me tears.kindness has power.

[@swifty2550]

Eva zu Beck plz go to Abd al Kuri Island it's the second biggest island in socotra and no one has ever made a video of it...😄

[@evazubeck]

In the future, when it's possible to travel again, for sure I will 😀

[@swifty2550]

@@evazubeck it's extremely isolated and beautiful,I have only seen its beauty on Google maps,making a vlog of it will make you the first human ever who video recorded it...!!😎💗

[@imaniman101]

Eva zu Beck hope you will find a cave where a creature with one eye there with hands and legs chained don’t forget to shot video

[@swifty2550]

@@imaniman101 Lol,who knows maybe she discovers new creation....😏 P,S Abd al Kuri Island is big and very isolated 🤠

[@aliadilcrypto123]

@@imaniman101 dajjal

[@julias6094]

I don't know why I just literally got tears of seeing your footage about covid travel journey . Im so emotional oh my God. Such inspiring. After all your safe going back home. Juliana here Kuwait 🇰🇼

[@hannahluster5332]

this was amazing i definitely want to travel a lot more now that I just finished watching this amazing and specially entertaining video!!

[@brahimbouragaa695]

I've been waiting for this vedio for a long time, I would like how are you and how did you spend this period of confinement

[@AbdulRehman-cd4do]

Watching your vlog makes me feel like that I was on this adventure

[@bgbc1]

Im having so many different feelings about all this haha!! I am from Brasil and spent many nights in farms here, where a snake could sneak in your bed(it happen with my father) at night. So I understand that a island you have to visit and get to know, but at the same time it was such very crazy not to think about solutions to the rats, maybe not sleep the night or something. And the moment they swing at night to get the boat, my heart just didnt believe it hahahaha This channel sure gonna be a fun ride!

[@emm7963]

What exciting adventures you have! When you said "We got this fish for free from the boat captain", I don't know why but that just sounded so adventurous to me, like something out of a novel or a movie.

[@asifkakakhel8924]

My Gudnes this is one of the best Ever vlog i Just watches .And Eva You are Sach A Jem 😘love u Bibbz for sach a Lovely video❤

[@reynniduaza2847]

Wow! This is incredible! Anyway, what camera are you using?

[@bleuchizi]

Thank you for bringing us with you on your adventures. :)

[@mariaangelicabanal9963]

Thanks Ms.Eva for bringing us in the extreme and most beautiful places all over the world.

[@lauren6978]

This is literally my worst nightmare 🤢🤢 you’re so brave!

[@gobbledygook99]

Hah, you're nuts. I love it. "Darsa" = "lesson" I believe. What a beautiful moment at 6:20 ya Bint Batuta.

[@jedikaren8112]

You are utterly amazing! You are brave, kind, very good with English, open minded, and thoughtful. Oh and your videos are sooo well done. Thank you for sharing your world, especially now to Americans who can't live their country or even town. My adventure sense is achying for me to get out.

[@lucindalavelle4246]

I love your vlog an absolute joy to watch. Thank you.

[@Cocologs]

oh wow , i'm somali! I plan on visiting these beautiful islands inshallah

[@user-db4io1id7g]

مشا الله ما احلا سقطرة❤️ 🇾🇪❤️. الي من اليمن يصف جنبي ليك👍🏻 وتعليق 🌹

[@hagermetwaly1447]

هل تلك الجزيرة بعيده عن عاصمة اليمن وكم من الوقت تاخذ من العاصمة الي هناك ....

[@user-ff5ug7ty5d]

@@hagermetwaly1447 تبعد ساعه.. طيران.

[@hagermetwaly1447]

@@user-ff5ug7ty5d شكرا جدا 😊

[@user-ff5ug7ty5d]

@@hagermetwaly1447 العفو. انتي من اي بلد لا يسمح زيارتها الا عن طريق مطار سيئون. أما مطار العاصمه مغلق بسبب الحرب يجب عليك السفر الا عمان ثم سيئون

[@hagermetwaly1447]

@@user-ff5ug7ty5d انا مصرية لا اعلم ان كان هناك خطوط جوية لليمن من هنا اتمني ان اذهب الي اليمن منذ ثلاث سنوات سابحث ان كان هناك طيران مباشر من هنا ام لا بلدك جميلة جدا

[@jcbarcial5195]

This is an amazing channel!! Keep it up!🤙👌

[@ntangx5069]

Such a wonderful video Eva

[@UmmCarl]

24 whole hours!! THE HORROR!! I bet you almost ran out of Gatorade! Wow, they should make a movie

[@ghizlaneamkadi9853]

Lovee it ! Greetings from Morocco ❤️

[@jahbless4063]

Hey babe

[@milasophiamelody]

Your vlogs are really amazing... You are a very inspiring person... Best wishes! 🌷

[@garygomez9522]

I enjoyed watching your videos( 3 as of now :) ) but will watch more... Stay safe and hope to see more of your trips.

[@rameezjallani]

Once again amazing adventures and the most epic vlog, great efforts, you are incredible, Your biggest fan ! Love from Pakistan !

[@evazubeck]

Thanks so very much

[@rameezjallani]

@@evazubeck My Pleasure !

[@MohammedJubari]

This is my country Welcome eva

[@Karla_1987]

فيصل الجعيدي هههههههههه

[@MohammedJubari]

@@user-wm5ux2pu8k انا عايش في الامارات اللي داعسه عليكم...

[@dinadina_tnss4901]

@@MohammedJubari قصدك الي تصرف من نفطنا؟

[@MohammedJubari]

@@dinadina_tnss4901 هههههه وش دخل هذا بهذا 😁✌

[@Prudentvedic]

@@MohammedJubari where are U Form ??? Is it Yemen

[@anweralthlaya760]

I saw you in Socotra while you were on a motorbike near the Summer Land Hotel. Thank you for the beautiful videos about my country

[@ondemandaquaworkouts]

Beautiful island 🏝 Thanks for sharing!

[@majalca03]

Rats aren't the evil creatures that they've been maligned to be. They were probably just curious of the giant visitors to their island.

[@elleemann]

Great. I still don't want them crawling all over me when I'm sleeping 😂😂

[@Croyante2882]

Most beautiful part in this video is the sujood on this beautiful island praying to Allah azawjeel Mashallah and also the dolphins 🐬🥰 May Allah guide all of us 🤲🏻

[@RoyalZessy]

i'm new to your channel! loving it so far!

[@jayb4243]

Beautiful video no other youtuber does it quite like you. Keep em coming

[@flzrin]

*This felt like I’ve just watched a fantasy movie, seeing all the beauties this world has to offer and then thinking about all the things humans are doing to it (destroying the world) just makes me sad. I really hope that future generations will learn to appreciate the world.*

[@akisdrosi2011]

that wasn't a rat invasion. that was a human invasion as most of the invasions on this planet.

[@andreea9607]

You're a human too , don't forget that

[@PhD__]

wrong. humans brought rats to the island.

[@shaniaandre1540]

Besides the beautiful view, and your beautiful shots, I also love your words, it's beautifully told

[@antoniotottojr]

often, those who have less gives more. LOVE LOVE LOVE your vlog

[@worldlygo]

This type of content should be premium on KZbin.

[@mahnoorsw0rld482]

Beautiful Placeeee.. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@adrianadiaz6224]

In love with your videos, Eva :D :D (I would've liked to know what Nick and the other guys in the island thought about spending the night over there :O)

[@Zeynepsway]

your really brave eva so adventurous. i enjoyed watching your video everyday especially during this pandemic and quarantine thing. love from philippines

[@zunairaliaquatlive6179]

Amazing MashaaAllah Love from Pakistan ❤️💞❤️ I love ur way of talking and lively smile. 💯💞❤️ MashaaAllah

[@Castroooooooooo]

ما شاء الله 😁

[@divine_wisdom5976]

you've a lion heart Eva. bravo!!!

[@AnaTravelstheworld]

Incredible video! You really shoot amazing content! :D

[@allenjoypacis8287]

Hi Eva, honestly I like watching all your adventures blogs and I am lucky to knows those places you are visited. Just please careful while your travelling.

[@sheralimalik5525]

Brave Eva = wonderful life. Love and respect from Pakistan.

[@rashidshaikh8161]

It feels like Into the Wild Movie 😂

[@tomriley5790]

Amazing experience Eva! I was lucky enough to visit Somalia a couple of times, the coast looked so beautiful. Not sure I'd get much sleep with all those rats around! Well done! I wonder if a hammock would be a good idea? If you're really worried you can suspend food off the ground - but could be hard with no trees :-)! Wondering what drone you used and how you charged it?

[@LynnPropstTravelmania]

What a beautiful experience! Excellent video.

[@BeSimple728]

Love from Pakistan 🇵🇰❤️

[@mohamedben6080]

8:05 - Most beautiful part of this vlog. Wherever we go in this dunya, we keep in mind the agheera.

[@starrynight5207]

it touched me so deeply

[@user-qj2wt5cs6p]

Lovely and inspiring!!!💕

[@user-kg8sm6wh7b]

Your channel is amazing keep going :)

[@mytravelchannel1704]

I can't believe that the men took the tents and let you sleep outside!?

[@MrLanternland]

I was thinking the same!

[@AbdullahAlMamun-iv7er]

You are doing gender discrimination

[@boneybone8123]

It is a scripted move to make the scenario more interesting. She slept outside, her channel, your view.

[@skylarandrews9729]

"I can't believe that the men took the tents and let you sleep outside!?" Did you even watch the video!? She (herself) said she offered the tents to the boat crew (aka the men) (11:05) meaning *she* was the one who *chose* to sleep outside.

[@Butterfly-ex9to]

I was looking for this comment !!! so unattractive

[@reemhassan6419]

I keep imagining how the first rat came to the island and decided to start a family

[@itchyvet]

How did it start a family on it's own ????

[@EUTalks]

@@itchyvet Maybe he adopted?

[@grainnefoster]

Love your channel such interesting content.

[@reesetabelona9225]

You are such a brave to go through like this adventure. Go girl, always keep safe. God bless.