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The Dhahran Hobby Farm and a Day in Ras Tanura
Middle East » Saudi Arabia » Ras Tanura
May 30th 2009 by TedTravel, Saudi Arabia - May 2009
Friday was spent at the beach in Ras Tanura (RT to those who are in the know). But first it was a trip to the Hobby Farm. I mentioned this in another blog, but failed to explain what this is. First off, it not just any hobby. For example, this is not a farm for stamp collectors, coin collectors, or even Beanie Baby collectors. Well, truth be known, it’s not even really a farm. It’s a place for horses.
From what I understand, the Hobby Farm is a place where Aramco people (known to everyone as Aramcons) can own and ride horses. Undoubtedly one of you will know why it’s called a Hobby Farm as opposed to perhaps a Horsie Place. Or a stable.
What’s even stranger is that we don’t go to the Hobby farm for a hobby, or to farm, or even to ride horses. We go to the Hobby Farm to eat at the little restaurant there. It’s a nice place to chill. The patio overlooks a nice grassy field (see photos) and there is a horse stable near by. For some reason, there are lots of little birdies to go with the horsies, so it’s all very pleasant, especially for breakfast.
After the Hobby Farm, a group of us took the Aramco bus out to Ras Tanura. This is a good place to go on Fridays because all of the stores are closed, but the beach at RT never closes. It’s located in another Aramco compound about an hour north of Dhahran (where I am staying). It’s located on the Arabian Gulf, which is what we would call the Persian Gulf (there is a border dispute between Saudi Arabia and Iran).
I went for a walk on the beach and was headed for the point that is shown in one of the photos. I made it most of the way there, but I got really hot and tired. I found out later that the temperature was 122 degrees F. (50 degrees C.). That’s crazy hot. I had not carried a bottle of water with me and I forgot my snazzy hat (see photos of Tarut and Qatif). You can tell I’m a Minnesotan. The last time it got to 122 in Minnesota was - never! However, to my credit, I did NOT forget to put on SPF 10,000 sun screen.
Wisely I decided to head back and not go to the point. For those of you reading this now in a state of terror as to my fate (how bad could it be, after all, I’m writing this) you needn’t worry. I stopped in the coffee shop and had a mint lemonade (sort of a lemonade Mojito sans alcohol), with a Coke Light chaser. Ahhhhhhhh.
For lunch I had spaghetti, a tabouli salad and pita bread, as well as a large bottle of water. Rehydrated at last.
Today it was back to work. To make life entertaining, Aramco IT has changed the security settings so that the computers the Participants use no longer could access the Internet. Or more accurately, they could access the Internet for a short period of time and then be blown out. As they say in movie reviews, “hilarity ensued.” Fortunately, there is a paper back-up process, so it was onto Plan B.
I have now exceeded 5000 hits - 5041 hits to be exact (thank you for reading!). I also have uploaded 554 photos and have written 24,326 words and those totals do not include this blog entry.
Pat eats a Floridian Breakfast
That's not Florence, it's Florida. But he's from Naples, Florida. It's so confusing.
Coffee Shop at Ras Tanura
No, this isn't another first class airline lounge. It's the coffee shop that serves the good mint lemonade. You must try it the next time you are in RT.
Part of trip: Saudi Arabia - May 2009
3 Comments - Add Public Comment or Send Private Message
May 30th 2009 - ellen and ruth: RA....
Ted:
First off the mint lemonaid would be much better with vodka. No ifs and or buts. And I don't think either on of us will make it to the lounge...so you will need to make these when you come to NY. Make sure to get the recipe.
Back to the salsa party...were there any women there? Also, what was on the cheese pizza besides cheese? Was there a spice...we remember another word you used with cheese, but I don't remember it now.
122 degrees and counting...didn't you say it got to 140 in the summer? 130? ugh!
May 31st 2009 - eve:
Great update, Ted--and congrats on so many blog hits! Methinks that Hobby Farm refers simply to the fact that it's a "farm" that is not run as a business or agricultural concern. So basically, it's a farm for rich people who want to play at "farming", "ranching", etc. 122 degrees---isn't Hell 130 degrees? Note to Self: Drink water when temp is above 80. I'm missing Food pics! Great job once again!
The salsa party included mostly Aramco couples, so yes, there were women. These are mostly Americans who live in the Aramco compound with their husbands. Some work, some don't.
The spice with the cheese pizza is zatar. Wikipedia says it is"generally prepared using ground dried thyme, oregano, marjoram, or some combination thereof, mixed with toasted sesame seeds, and salt.[4] Some varieties may add savory, cumin, coriander[5] or fennel seed."
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