Photos of Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is an almost boringly normal country.

Emphasis on almost, and on boring.

Some things in Saudi are plain ridiculous (women not driving; the absence of cinemas, theatres, etc in the entire country); some are appalling (their kafeel system, the very widespread racism, and Saudi food, composed of rice and meat and combinations thereof).

But the truth is, it doesn't have to be that annoying if you know your way around it. (And if you're not there for too long.)

While being no fan of Saudi Arabia - and that's an understatement :) - I had a good time this time!

After contemplating going to Madain Saleh, the Petra-like Nabataean ruins in the North, logistics - the nearest airport being 400 km away - made it hard to plan on short notice.

So I did settle on the sea. Saudi does have the longest Red Sea coast, and the underwater fauna may indeed be as impressive as the Guardian claims it to be.

Didn't dive but did go snorkeling and spear fishing with friends.
Yep.
And yes, I caught fish. True, I didn’t get to eat it - Tarek being the only one of us married (therefore having an actual grill - and having to justify the day-long absence to the lady) took it all home.

Sushi.

Essentially you just need to drive to the coast, part 3 meters away from the sea, and dive - and it’s worth taking advantage of, before the Saudi shore becomes another Hurghada.

Divers - now you know.

Makeshift camp - a little shade in the desert. 4x4's have replaced the camels...

A few of you expressed curiosity regarding "life in the Desert Kingdom".

So below are a few more photos of Saudi, in case you wanted to know what it looks like around here...

I first uploaded the photos to Flickr (they're here, if you're big on Flickr, ya Lisa) but those bastards want to charge 25$ to display my older photos.WTF?

So I'll stick with Picasa instead. Click here for the Saudi Arabia album...

Football game, Messi vs. Davids. Davids' sandals were the goalposts for the goal I (badly) guarded. I was promptly fired.

Yes, they have hypermarkets, too.

Pyramid of beer - though (most?) people can only get their hands on that disgusting non-alcoholic beer..

Indoors (real) palm trees at the mall. For no obvious reason.

A state 'uniform' creates all sorts of new concerns. (warning by the escalator, Plaza mall)

I always laugh when I see this - they cover up, with a white opaque sticker, the packages of underwear (for public decency). Result is that you don't know what you're buying, so the shopkeeper opens up the package and displays the panties. Hilarious.
(and yes, they cover up male underwear too.)

I like the blue keffiyeh dress. Though I'm unlikely to see anyone wear it here..


On this plaza take place the corporal punishments (yep, chop-chop square)

The Saudi Atomium? Nope, the entrance to the Chemistry school, King Abdul-Aziz Uni.

Remains of a pre-World War 1 Anglican church in Jeddah.


At a cafe. It reads "Singles section": unaccompanied men sit in a separate section. The "family section" is where parties including women (so, families, couples, and groups of women) sit.

Oh, yeah, that was a Starbucks, by the way.

I like this (unfortunately hazy) photo from a couple of years back. Prophet's mosque, Medina.

Go here or here for the rest of the photos - then come back here to comment!