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into Saudi Arabia

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into Saudi Arabia
netllama Offline
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#1
2022-02-27, 12:38 PM
Continuing a periodic series of trip reports from some of the more obscure corners of the planet, I recently returned from spending ten days self-driving around the kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).  Tourism is a very new concept for Saudis, as they didn't even issue tourist visas until late 2019.  Then they closed their borders completely due to the pandemic for over a year.  I've wanted to visit KSA for quite some time, primarily to explore the legendary deserts, and also to learn more about a place that is mostly not well understood by the West.  Overall, the trip went exceedingly well.  I saw a lot of desert (its mostly unavoidable there), and met a number of friendly Saudis.  I also drove over 3200 miles around a country which is about the same size as Alaska & Texas combined.

I'm sure you came for the photos, right?

[Image: 51906147505_cda04e113a_h.jpg]everyone loves some derpy cute camels, right?

[Image: 51905516156_fcb1a5ad86_h.jpg]Al Waba crater.  Its like Ubehebe's (much bigger) brother!

[Image: 51905515996_3f5066abd4_h.jpg]near the crater

[Image: 51906121295_ebc35bc5c4_h.jpg]bones bones bones 

[Image: 51906139640_3cdd4d8133_h.jpg]the very empty quarter

[Image: 51905485226_265c08e53d_h.jpg]Zaabal Castle

[Image: 51904544957_df3307298f_h.jpg]Zee Ain village

[Image: 51906500995_65de3fd854_h.jpg]Rijal Alma'a village 

[Image: 51905804209_131b43b79d_h.jpg]old Ottoman era fort 

[Image: 51905490146_a9038c5cd2_h.jpg]the eye 

[Image: 51905584043_6e1e194c67_h.jpg]its a face

[Image: 51904545157_1970ab7d81_h.jpg]plant id?

[Image: 51904590622_ab53691344_h.jpg]Herrat viewpoint over Al Ula 

[Image: 51905573563_d040f7730c_k.jpg]the view


For the curious, I have a very detailed, day by day trip report available HERE. I also have many other photos posted HERE.
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ski3pin Offline
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#2
2022-02-27, 01:22 PM
Thanks so much for taking us to places on this earth we'll never visit! These are a real treat.
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MojaveGeek Offline
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#3
2022-02-27, 04:15 PM
Very nice, you sure do get around!! In the pic of the viewpoint, what are the round little dug out things? I'm guessing benches or something?

Now I have to go read....
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netllama Offline
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#4
2022-02-27, 04:29 PM
(2022-02-27, 04:15 PM)MojaveGeek Wrote: Very nice, you sure do get around!! In the pic of the viewpoint, what are the round little dug out things? I'm guessing benches or something?

Now I have to go read....

Yea, they are cushy benches for relaxing. It was a weird setup for sure. There was also a Greek (of all things) restaurant up there, with a full (non-alcholic) bar, and also shisha available. That viewpoint was leaning, hard, into what they thought tourists would want.
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DAW89446 Offline
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#5
2022-02-28, 01:43 PM
That rock with the face projecting out from the right looks like a profile of Theodore Roosevelt.
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~When You Live in Nevada, "just down the road" is anywhere in the line of sight within the curvature of the earth.
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TacoLand Offline
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#6
2022-02-28, 06:32 PM
Looking forward to cracking a beer or two tonight and reading through your two latest trip reports. Thanks for all the effort you put into these. They're quite the treat to read and the photos aren't terrible either!
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netllama Offline
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#7
2022-02-28, 06:56 PM
(2022-02-28, 06:32 PM)TacoLand Wrote: Looking forward to cracking a beer or two tonight and reading through your two latest trip reports. Thanks for all the effort you put into these. They're quite the treat to read and the photos aren't terrible either!

thanks!
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Daymoth Offline
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#8
2022-02-28, 08:52 PM
BABY CAMEL?

Well I already love this.
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netllama Offline
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#9
2022-02-28, 08:54 PM
(2022-02-28, 08:52 PM)Daymoth Wrote: BABY CAMEL?

Well I already love this.

Yea, that was a gem. Also wasn't the only mother & baby camel pair that I saw while driving (but I didn't get a chance to photograph the others).
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TacoLand Offline
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#10
2022-03-05, 09:43 AM
Had a chance to tour the world with you last night. Good times, good .... times .... personally though, eating my way through France sounds more appealing than driving all over Saudi Arabia to me right now. Great pictures and travel report as always, many thanks.
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