Old Diriyah is closed!

As part of the Saudi plans to pump up tourism in the country, The Old Diriyah, which was the original home of the Saudi royal family, and served as the capital of the first Saudi dynasty from 1744 to 1818, is temporarily closed to the public for renovation for at least 3 years.


Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Chairman of the Board and Secretary General of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) outlined the strategic plan for tourism development in the kingdom which includes the restoration of some tourist spots in the region, antiquities and museums, including exploration, plus accommodation, travel agents, tour operators and tourism masterplans.

The commission has to restructure the industry and highlights the importance that is now given to the tourism sector.


While explaining that the mandate for the Supreme Commission for Tourism and Antiquities was to ensure that tourism adds value to the economy, culture and society, Prince Sultan emphasized that the first major target market was to attract the domestic audience, five million of whom travel overseas each year.


Other initiatives complementing this expansion included the addition of four more airports, bringing the total to 30, plus the construction of gateway airport cities, starting with Jeddah, which would include accommodation, exhibition and conference facilities to target the meetings sector.

Friday's opens in Riyadh

Richard Apostol (center), the Regional Manager of Friday's, with the new waiters during the soft-opening of Friday's in Riyadh

A common expression of relief at the end of the work week and anticipation of relaxing or partying over the weekend is the phrase “Thanks God It’s Friday!”.

The chain is known for its appearance, with red-striped canopies, brass railings, Tiffany lamps, and frequent use of antiques as decor.

Yesterday was the grand opening of Fridays in Riyadh along Takasussi Street beside Euromarche Supermarket. We were so privileged to be invited during their soft-opening last March 5.

Just like any other Friday’s resto, the exterior features a red-and-white striped awning, and blue paint, and the interior includes wooden floors and striped tablecloth. The employees wore wacky red-white stripe uniforms almost full of commemorative and fashion pins.

However in other Friday’s outlets, every time someone had a birthday, the entire restaurant crew came around with a cake and sang Friday's traditional birthday song. But in Riyadh, they are not allowed to do such…



Usually, Friday's has a large menu with an emphasis on alcoholic beverages but here in Saudi, it is much different. Dining cubicles for family are curtained, no pipe-in music and no bartending. They serve fruit juices, shakes and non-alcoholic beverages.

FLOOD IN GULF

Record rainfall of 110 millimetres over two days caused havoc on the UAE's roads, with traffic at a standstill in city centres and a record number of accidents reported due to speeding and the poor road conditions.

The rain also caused flooding in many areas of the country, damaging properties and vehicles, and forcing some residents to wade through waist-high water just to leave their home.
Experts believe that climate change will result in more extreme weather in the coming years.

Ice-coated Desert

Emergency winter supplies began reaching citizens in the frozen Saudi Arabian region of Tabuk and Qasim which witnessed sub-zero temperatures this week

Supplies of blankets, winter clothes, rugs, warming devices and food were all distributed free of charge.



Temperatures reached their lowest point in 30 years, plunging to -2C in the capital, Riyadh, and to -6C in mountainous regions blanketed by snow.

At least 10 people have died in the country as a weather system driven South from Siberia sent temperatures plummeting.

Pictures taken in Al-Kharj, 100 km from Riyadh.

Great Shots!

Desert Invasion

As we know the Middle East is a land of desert and Saudi Arabia has magnificent sand dunes that you may enjoy. On the outskirts of Riyadh, you will see them in different colors such as mixed with red and orange. Red Sand is also famous place where locals and expat have visited for having a picnic. Quad bikes can be found for rent for drives up on the sand hills.



Last Wednesday (start of our HAJ holiday), we’re all ready to invade the famous Filipino desert destinations – the Red Sand and Hidden Valley. The plan is to go quadbiking in the morning, trail the sand dune and then on to a place called Hidden Valley for a picnic.



The last time I went quadbiking I was a bit nervous about how they'd get on that time, so spent most of my time watching them and taking photos. This time however, all of us are seasoned quadbikers, so we spent the whole hour whizzing up and down the sand dunes at top speed.

After the hour was up and we'd paid the Bedouin for the bike rental, our company coaster headed further south towards hidden valley, which I was able to find easily since I’ve been in this place several times. About 10 minutes past the quadbiking area there's a left turn which is a dirt trail - like last time - but there's actually a tarmac road which leads on for another couple of k's before turning to dirt.

The narrow trail is very rocky and twists from left to right. At almost every turn there's what is either a large bush or a small tree.



After what seems like an hour of this but was probably only about 15 minutes, we arrive at our destination. We're in a valley alright, surrounded on all sides by high slopes of very rough, sharp, rocky terrain. We pile out of the car and the area is a blur of setup activity; Each of us (we’re 28 all) carrying our food, water jug, cameras, tents, etc. and went further inside the valley. Before we even know, we are almost at the top of what looks to me like a pretty dangerous climb.

Despite the rocky terrain this is a very nice place for a social gathering. The weather was great and the scenery was spectacular.

So, in almost five hours we've quadbiked, set our footprints in red sands, had our picnic in a rocky hill and climbed mountains.

Living in Saudi Arabia

"Mamlakah" or Kingdom Tower located in Al Arubah Street corner King Fahad Road, Riyadh

Living in Saudi Arabia needs adjustment and understanding.

I never realized living in Saudi would open a great opportunity to learn and understand different cultures in the world.

For almost 30 years now, Riyadh City resembles a modern American city, with motorways, flyovers, high-rise blocks, international hotels and neon blazed shopping malls.

The skyline is dominated by two new skyscrapers: the Kingdom Trade Centre is the tallest building here in Riyadh at 300 m, and the well-established Al Faisaliah tower. Both towers are situated between the parallel King Fahad highway and Olaya St.

Yet, the culture remains to be in the doldrums mainly because they are guided not by man-made laws, but by the scriptures written by their prophet.

Some of the peculiar Saudi way of life are:

Abbaya- wearing an abbaya in public places is a must for women. It is a long, loose, black cloak worn over their regular clothing) in public. Muslim women are also required to wear hijab (head scarf); it is up to the individual woman whether or not she chooses to veil her face.

The Foods- there are fast food and burger chains anywhere in the Kingdom. However, the taste of chicken, burgers, and other meat stuff in these food chains has a little bit different compare to the Philippines. Maybe, because some spices and herbs are not allowed to be used because they contain banned ingredients.

Famous meals are Kabsa -local food and Broasted Chicken.

In Riyadh, you can taste sumptuous broasted chicken in McCoy Restaurant in Malaz Area. In Jeddah, you can buy from Al Baik Restaurant. Usually, these meals are served with Kubus (stoved-bake wheat unsweetened bread similar to tortillas), labneh (white cheese) large sliced onions, salada (strange edible grass), big pepper, lemon and pickles.

There are many supermarket and malls in Riyadh, where you can buy all local foods and if you want to eat Asian and Western foods, these are available in many restaurants in Riyadh.


Faisaliah Tower, King Fahad Road, Riyadh, K.S.A.

Likewise, many big malls are already seen in the Kingdom. You can have your one-stop shop at Hyper Panda, Carrefour, Geant, City Plaza, Euromarche, etc.

The weather- Riyadh climate is very dry; it is advisable to have a humidifier at home to avoid skin dryness, rashes and allergies. Use of lotion is also highly recommended. Summer temperature reaches 50C from May to September, while Cold Season starts during October till April. Extreme coldness reached almost 2C.

The Road- Main Road has Arabic and English signs. However, minor road and street names are in Arabic. There is no mail service who can deliver your mails in your doorsteps. Mails are usually delivered in postal offices located in some areas. Home addresses are usually written in P.O. Box.

The helpful land marks are the Kingdom Tower and Faisaliah Tower. You can see these towers from a distance which guides most of the drivers finding the right directions.

Lifestyle- Saudi Arabia is purported to be the strictest of all Middle Eastern countries. Consumption of pork and alcohol is illegal. There are no bars, nightclubs, or movie theaters. Most forms of entertainment, such as bowling or cafes, are segregated – there are either special areas or special times for women to use the facilities. There are stringent codes about mingling between men and women. For example, it is illegal to be in the company of a member of the opposite sex unless that person’s spouse is present.

Driving – Drivers License is a must to all drivers. Expats can only drive if their sponsors (Company they are working) grant them permit to drive and authority to purchase a car.. Women are not allowed to drive.

Internet – Wireless Broadband Internet services are already available in the Kingdom. However, there is no women’s section at the Internet cafes. Usually, Internet Cafés charge SR5.00/hour (55 Pesos). But if you apply for Home Internet Service (DSL), minimum monthly charge is SR330.00 (3,630.00 Pesos).

Language – many Arabs do not speak English fluently and they are not punctilious with the grammar. They don’t care at All! You can read advertisements, posters and signboards with wrong spelling, i.e., “Big Descount”, “Barbar Shop”, “Filipino-Indian Food Avelable Her”, “Perfums, Electrunics, Mobile Reper, Petrolium, etc”.

Typically, Westerners and other Expatriates are welcomed and respected by the Saudis as long as they are respectful of the local culture and traditions. As in this country, when political and economic tensions mount in the international arena, some individual citizens are inclined to see members of another culture as that group is portrayed in the mass media. However, if you keep in mind that part of the benefit of living abroad is to become aware of and to help others recognize that all countries/cultures are multi-faceted, that there is good along with bad, and that what some members of a society do and think does not represent the entire civilization, you can play a small yet important role in fostering an international culture of respect.

Queens and Desert Hunks Gather Together

Ramadan Holidays in Saudi Arabia, first holiday in Arabic calendar, usually takes place successively for 4-5 days. It’s the best time for expats to unwind, revitalize and enjoy after an 8-month inexorable and arduous time spent in offices, sites, stores and schools.

For Saudi nationals who cannot afford a luxurious world tours, its their chance to travel to nearby avant-garde Gulf countries, where they could splurge freely. They usually travel in ‘open cities’ like Bahrain, UAE and Kuwait where they enjoy the beaches, nice hotels, bars, girls and great food.

But for Filipinos, it is best to stay in the Kingdom and find a good place where they could also enjoy and bond together. Besides, employers seldom grant outside-the-Kingdom vacation to their employees for fear that they might run away. (They safe-keep all their employees’ passport). If expats want to have distant travel, they are limited to cities-to-cities travel only. Riyadh dwellers can go to beaches in nearby Eastern Province (Al-Khobar or Dammam) or Western Province (Jeddah) and vice-versa.



Our friends decided to spend 3 days in Dirab Golf Course and Resort. Actually this is the only safe haven, with 18-hole international standard golf course, 9 resort houses, 1 big pool, gym and horse-back arena, located 45 kms from Riyadh Center.

One villa costs SR1,000 (P11,000) per day. Although its quite expensive, but we are assured that no 'authority' would dare to come inside and spoil our celebration.

Actually we opted to spend the vacation all together since 6 are celebrating their birthdays this month.



Although there were some minor flaws in each assigned task for the party, like the lapse in transportation, food preparation, etc., the celebration ended up satisfying everyone and became more significant because those who have misunderstanding and conflicts in the group had patched out together and settled harmoniously.