Blogs from Saudi Arabia, Middle East

The sun is setting on this trip, as I reach the final stretch of what has been a very interesting journey. Not an easy trip, at least, not easy if you are trying to keep to a budget, and don't have your own transport. But worth the money nonetheless. Looking back I can confidently say I managed to do more than I expected. I have seen a country in change. Going from a closed society to an open society. Remember this is a nation that until three years ago was forbidden territory for (western) tourists (but not businessmen). I have met lots of wonderful Saudi's and migrants from all over. 'Welcome' is the word I hear most, but also, 'What do you think of our country?' I have enjoyed the bus rides, it has given me ... read more

My last blog focused mainly on the issues of travelling around Saudi Arabia, when you don't have your own transport, with a few first impressions thrown in for good measure. What it didn't tell about was the people, which is by all accounts probably the most interesting and important part of travelling. The people! Sights can be impressive and awe-inspiring, but it's mostly the little encounters along the way that stay in ones mind. The interactions, both good and bad. I can't say we had any bad experiences here in Saudi Arabia. The people have been incredibly hospitable and friendly, both the locals, as well as all the migrant workers. To be honest, I hadn't expected anything else. I sort of took for granted that we would be treated the way we were treated. Why? Because ... read more

By this point in the prolonged journey, I was roughly 5 or so weeks in, and still no signs of homesickness - I suspect that's what you get when you are able to call anywhere home. Home therefore was, at this point in life, a hotel in Jeddah, the nation's second city, and located in the southern part of Saudi Arabia, a nation long known as an oil-rich country with a few strict and conservative guidelines on how life here should be lived. In search of culture and otherworldliness though, seeing Saudi Arabia through the eyes of a tourist was a different proposition, and the city tour started life in Jeddah's stunning historic district, surely the most satisfying collection of all-in-one-place ancient buildings the nation has to offer. In a nutshell, there are colours, various buildings ... read more

The worldwide pandemic has turned our world upside down in so many ways. Some are severe like death, illness, lingering symptoms and families being separated from each other. Some have been more of mere hassles, like product shortages or wearing a mask. For those of us who love to travel, the pain has come in the form of being confined, being locked out of countries and being forced to put our adventures on hold for a little or rather a long while. Saudi Arabia was not immune to these complications and restrictions. A trip for me that was supposed to happen in 2020, was pushed to 2021 and then ultimately did not happen until 2022. Frustrating? Absolutely. But once the thrill of actually traveling strikes us again, it seems to be all we can think about ... read more