nice hi, nice to read about jeddah. i also like to travel in local transport. would jeddah and al ula be sufficient for a non Muslim to visit by herself or should one include Riyadh if there is nothing spectacular to see?
Thanks for commenting In answer to your question. How much time do you have? It's a long way from either Jeddah or Al Ula to Riyadh, so unless you have plenty of time, you can skip Riyadh in my opinion and concentrate on the west coast (Jeddah - Al Ula).
Happiness in Solitude Many people are not comfortable on their own. I find it reassuring. I love to travel with others but alone reminds you of an inner strength. I'm enjoying seeing Saudi through your eyes. Thanks for the memories and keep traveling!
And then there were the doors inviting one within Fabulous collection that I have posted in TB's "Doors, doors & more doors" thread in the Photography Forum, Ralf. Check 'em out.
Arabian hospitality Thank you for this blog. You say "When you travel, you realise the world, by and large, is populated by good people, not bad", which is our experience also. I do believe that that is the experience if one is respectful and do not look down on the locals among whom we travel. I am reminded of the men who invited me to join them for coffee in Dubai and others in Samarkand, the Tibetan boys who invited our son to hang out with them in Lhasa and the rickshaw driver that Denise & I hung out with for two days in Beijing...no strings attached. What a fabulous time you thus had in Saudi Arabia, Ralf. Being nice to others is actually quite easy for most!
True If treat people respectfully, doors will open. Just as if you go through life smiling at your fellow human beings, you will get many smiles back and a much more pleasurable experience out of life. A smile, is an extremely efficient and easy way to get things done. You are rewarded ten fold for every smile you give.
Your blog has let the secret out... Saudi Arabia is so wonderful that soon it will become a major tourist destination. Let's hope not too soon! I can't imagine taxi drivers, who are usually the biggest scammers in any country, offering you free rides. My neighbor is ethnically a Saudi, having been born in the States when his Saudi father was attending graduate school here. He is one of the kindest people I know. I'm glad to hear that he is not an exception. Thanks for posting this blog.
I think... it will still take some time before Saudi Arabia takes off as a tourist destination. Most people simply don't associate it with tourism. Point in case, when I told people I was going to Saudi Arabia, the most common reaction was: 'what the heck are you going there for?'
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Baboons! What a lovely trip to experience with your Mum. Thanks for sharing a little-known part of the world (to me anyway) - your photos are fabulous Ralf. And I had no idea there was a species of baboons native to KSA! Safe travels, Cheers, Ren :)
Thank you. It's an interesting country, much more diverse then I expected.
They don't only have baboons, but also woves, foxes, gazelles and more. But we've only seen the baboons.
Follow that Road Inviting one to drive in. As you are not advocating other than vehicular travel in KSA, Ralf, this qualifies for TB's "Follow that Road" thread in the Photography Forum. Any excuse. Check 'em out!!!
Not sure... If they would like you to drive that particular road.
An own car is certainly easier here, but we are managing without one. And buses are a good way to meet people you wouldn't normally meet.
Thanks for commenting and reading, and promoting my pictures on various photography forums.
All the best from Madagascar Hello Ralf,
Good to hear you survived Corona and are traveling again.
It took me almost 3 years to get going again.
Now I am in Sambava in Madagascar, very nice beaches and really nice people.
Hope to meet you again while traveling.
Enjoy the time with your mother.
All the best
Jens (we met in the Andaman islands)
Good to hear you are on the road again too Madagascar is also high on my list of places I want to visit. Enjoy it! And thanks for reading and commenting
Piprey on wheels
Shona
nice
hi, nice to read about jeddah. i also like to travel in local transport. would jeddah and al ula be sufficient for a non Muslim to visit by herself or should one include Riyadh if there is nothing spectacular to see?