Riyadh: The Heart of Saudi Arabia (Part 2)

We are back with Part 2 of our blog on Riyadh. Today, we are focusing on the outskirts of Riyadh.

Riyadh from above

Wadi Namar located south of Riyadh is a popular picnic spot among friends and families who love to spend time with nature and relax.

Wadi Namar

This beautiful valley runs down till wadi Hanifah

has separate amenities for both men and women like washrooms with ablution facilities and marked prayer areas with prayer mats.

The valley is equipped with more than 520 date palms across the pedestrian pathway, well light pathway, sitting area for picnickers overlooking the lake and pathways granting access for the picnickers' movement between the corniche and the lake.

This beautiful valley is a great place to take scenic photos and to unwind from day to day activities. 

There is no entrance fee to this valley its a free access to the public. It is open throughout the week all-day. (source:arabnews.com)

[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wadi+Namar+Dam+Park/@24.5706296,46.6807992,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xd5bc68cc667b5c2f!8m2!3d24.5706296!4d46.6807992]

Edge of the World or Jebel Fihrayn is located 90 km from Riyadh forms part of the Tuwaiq cliffs stretching over more than 600 km through central Saudi Arabia and once overlooked the ancient trade route used to cross the Arabian peninsula from Yemen into the Levant and Persia.

 

Edge of the World/Jebel Fihrayn

Hikers can choose a range of routes but one must keep in mind to wear good climbing shoes as the path to get to the top has rugged terrain, steep climb and loose gravel. Keep an eye out for fossils- a holdover from when the region was once an ocean bed, camels and the remains of riverbeds crossing the valley below. It takes 15 to 30min to reach the cliffside with plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the view along the way.

The gates close at 6 PM so make sure you have plenty of time when opting to visit this site or choosing to camp in the acacia valley one can savour the sunset and star-studded night. The best time to visit is during the winter months as the sky is clear and temperatures are lower.

You can get there with an SUV with good GPS or choose to visit with tour guides offered by leading tour companies that have options of day-long excursions and camping overnight. This site is located on the Riyadh-Jeddah Highway. (source:visitsaudi.com)

Wadi Leban Bridge/ Suspension Bridge located at Exit 33  from the city of Riyadh has an awe-inspiring view overlooking Wadi Leban. Passing through the bridge one can feel at ease and amazed with the humongous suspended cables of the bridge.

Suspension Bridge

   This suspension bridge was designed by an Indian Architect, Mr Seshadri Srinivasan the very same who has designed the Bandra-Worli sea link or officially known as Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link in South Mumbai, State of Maharashtra, India.

One can go under the bridge by taking designated roads leading to Wadi Leban. Surely a scenic picnic spot with family and friends. 

Al-Ha'ir lakes located to the south of Riyadh are 'in-line' with flows from the Wadi Hanifa a natural watercourse and wetland supplemented by groundwater and discharge from Riyadh, entering from the lake at the upstream end, and passing through the lakes and leaving at the downstream via a second weir.

Al-Ha'ir Lakes

The depth of the stream in the valley ranges from 10-100 m and its width is approximately 1000m.

There are designated fire pits for barbeque and bonfire. 

Fishing and swimming are not allowed and approach to deep waters is also prohibited. Please follow the instructions for your own safety. 

The area does not have any food or snack carts available as it is still under development but nevertheless a beautiful picnic spot to spend with family and friends.

Al-Haeer Park Lake

Riyadh 14564, Saudi Arabia

Al haeer lake

There is no specific entrance fee or timings to this place, one can spend their time as much as they like.

The park area is well-lit and has dustbins all over the place to dispose of your picnic waste and to keep the area clean. (source: Femiafz youtube channel).

Ain Heet caves or Dahl Heet is situated near Mount Al Jubayl in Wadi As Sulay in a small village called Heet situated in between Riyadh and Al- Kharj is only accessible caves in the vicinity of Riyadh.

Ain Heet caves / Dahl Heet

The cave is called Ain Heet where Ain means 'eye' which can be clearly seen once you see the shape of the entrance of the cave.

As you go down the cave which has about 45 degrees descend you will find yourself a deep underground lake which is as clear as a crystal.

Diving in this crystal clear water is a fun activity but should be done only by trained professionals with proper equipment without these it can be dangerous to one's life.

The lake is about 30m deep and about 150m in length approximately.

To reach Ain Heet caves take an exit to Heet at Al-Kharj Highway, about 5km from the exit towards the east an off-road takes you these caves. 

Make sure you plan your visit properly giving you plenty of time to reach and leave the place mostly when the sun is up so you can enjoy its serene beauty mostly during the day time.

(source: splendidarabia.com)

Thus, we have come to an end to another blog of ours and this time to a complete end of Riyadh: The Heart of Saudi Arabia blog series. In Sha Allah, in the near future, we are hoping to bring you the historical part of Riyadh which might take some time, nevertheless, you can always look forward to other blogs of ours. 

For this part of the blog, we Thank Sara Sanobar for providing us with the beautiful Photos of Ain Heet caves and Al- Ha'ir lakes. 

We hope you enjoyed reading this another adventure as much as we loved writing from our memories.

Until we meet again. في امان الله.

Riyadh: The Heart of Saudi Arabia (Part 1)

 The capital city of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has its name derived from the plural of Arabic name Rawdah, meaning garden or meadow. Located in the heart of Saudi Arabia is home to the historic roots of the Kingdom and a modern-day metropolis. 

After rain scenario

 King Khalid International Airport (RUH), formerly known as the largest airport in the world in terms of the ground area, serves the city of Riyadh. It was opened in late 1983, consists of 5 passenger terminals with 40 aerobridges each and a car parking of 11,600 vehicles. It is located 35 km north of Riyadh. It offers Bank services and ATMs, Car rental, Parking, Telecom, Packaging, Transportation and Medical services. The Riyadh Airport Marriott hotel is situated adjacent to the airport and just a short drive from the city's shopping centres and tourist places.

Inside view of the Airport

The airport has dining options for travellers from restaurants to coffee shops. You can also find unique collection stores with the best prices. 

Wellcome lounge present in both terminal 1 and 2 is open for all travellers including economy class travellers. It has buffet and beverage counters, kids room, sleep rooms, general seating and sky sales boutique.

 Al foursan lounge is only for first and business class travellers, located at terminal 2 and 5 departure has shower facilities, kids room, relaxation centre, food and beverage and seating area. (source: kkia.sa)

Riyadh National Zoo is the kingdom's largest zoo situated in Al Malaz area of Riyadh. It features more than 1500 animals, a toy train ride and beverage shops inside it.       

     

The entrance of the Zoo

As the common belief goes that the zoo is not open for families but only one parent can accompany the kids is all a myth. Surely, there are different timings

for male and females but families are allowed during

weekends. The toy train ride covers most of the zoo.

It lasts about 20 minutes and it has separate fees about 2 S.R. As you enter the zoo a flamboyance of flamingoes welcome you. Best time to visit the zoo is during the winter as animals tend to stay under shade and out of sight in the hot summer months and you would want to avoid the sun either.

A Flamboyance of Flamingoes

 One can also find a fountain in the centre of the zoo. During the summer the mist from the fountain feels cooling even though it is present as an attraction and nothing more. but surely a beautiful background to click photos.

Fantasy Land located in Al Thumama neighbourhood in the capital city. It was a water park with dolphin show in it. Families could enjoy in the dry rides as well as the pools at the park. There was a boat ride in the lake as well with the beautiful scenery surrounding the lake you could surely relax.  Unfortunately, they have closed down permanently.

Lake

Dolphin show

 Amusement parks in Riyadh: 

Star city amusement park was one of the parks we visited as school kids. It was a memorable one especially the roller coaster ride which felt terrifying during the ride but felt amazing after the ride. Maybe because of the adrenaline rush. There are separate timings for ladies and gents and no known timings for families. Always good to ask the locals.

         

Star city amusement park

       Al Hokair land owned by Al Hokair group, one of the largest business groups in Saudi Arabia. This park is located near the eastern ring road in Riyadh. A great place to spend time with friends during the weekdays and with family during weekends. Services at this park include mechanical thrill rides, video games, 3-D rides, Food and beverage centre. The ride tickets can be individually bought or a ride band can be taken that costs around 90 S.R. For more information ask the locals or just call up their number.

Mercure value Riyadh hotel is a ship-themed hotel in Riyadh. The location of this perfect for travellers who want to enjoy the sights and sounds of Riyadh.

Easy access to popular places such as Granada mall, Al Hokair land, Saqr Al-Jazira Aviation museum, Snow world, Sahara plaza and many more. 

They offer facilities like Fitness centre, indoor pool, spa centre, garden, restaurants (halal of course), playground for kids etc. Arabic, English and French are the languages spoken by the hotel staff. They also provide free WI-FI in every room. They also provide transportation to the KKIA  on a request basis. (source: agoda.com).

                        

Al Faisaliah tower in Riyadh is an office/hotel located at King Fahad Road. It is 3rd tallest in Riyadh and 4th Tallest tower in the Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia after Kingdom centre, Burj Rafal and Abraj al-Bait. 

Al Faisalaih Tower

   It is also called the star dome. The round ball present at the top of the tower is a restaurant called The Globe. It is one of the premier restaurants in Saudi Arabia. It offers a 360-degree view and also known to rotate slowly like a globe, making a unique type of restaurant. The skyscraper is 267 metres high consisting of 30 floors.

A shopping complex and entertainment areas are adjoining Al Faisaliah mall. 

The tower consists of on the finest 5-star hotel in Riyadh i.e. Al Faisalaih hotel combined with Al Faisalaih suites featuring modern-day technology in the hotel rooms.

The World Sights Park located along the Eastern Ring road in Riyadh includes some famous miniature monuments of the world from the Great Wall of China to Effiel Tower of Paris.

Great Wall of China miniature

The entrance fee is 10 SR for adults and free for children. It takes about 30 mins to cover the whole park. It has snack carts and vendors on-site to munch along your stroll. You can bring your food in and have a picnic with your family. 

The park opens at 5:00 PM, Wednesday to Sunday for families and ladies and Tuesdays only for men. It is closed on Mondays for maintenance.

The park is well maintained with security guards and also safe to let children play at the playground.

(source: DestinationRiyadh)

 Kingdom Centre is a 90 story, 302.3m skyscraper in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It is the 3rd tallest building in the Kingdom after Abraj al bait and Burj Rafal and also 3rd tallest building in the world with a hole after Shanghai world financial centre and 85 sky tower in Taipei. 

Kingdom Centre

It houses the Al Mamlaka shopping mall, offices, the Four Seasons Hotel, Riyadh and luxury apartments.

There is a 65m sky bridge atop the skyscraper. The upper third of the tower consists of an inverted parabolic arch below the public sky bridge. Visitors can visit the sky bridge by paying fees and taking two elevators to reach the enclosed corridor with windows on both sides.

Saqr Al-Jazira Aviation Museum is must-visit for those interested in aviation and its sciences. It reviews the journey of the aviation history of Saudi Arabia for more than 100 years, from watching aircraft in the skies of the Arabian Peninsula to King Abdulaziz owning aircraft and establishing the first Air force in the year 1344 H.

Saqr Al-Jazira Aviation Museum

 

The museum offers a theatre aviation stimulator with seating for 28 audiences, an F-15, Typhoon and Boeing-737 stimulators.  The museum has a specified gift shop related to the Air force, symbols, cups, medals etc for both kids and adults. It also provides brochures and maps of the layout of the museum. It has search screens which provide information on the history to students and researchers.

The Museum is open throughout the week except on Tuesdays, where it closes for maintenance.

The entrance fees are 5 SR for students and children under 10 whereas for general visitors it is SR 10 and free for special needs people.

(source: mod.gov.sa)

Thus, we have come to the end of part 1 of this blog. We hope you enjoyed reading it as much as we loved writing it. Until we meet again. في امان الله.

Long Haul Travel Hacks

Travelling can be exciting at the same time it can be nerve wrecking when it comes to packing , boarding a flight or getting ones car ready for a road trip. here we have gathered few hacks for you all to have stress free trip. 

• ONLINE CHECK-IN:                                                                                                                   What can get worse when u travel via flight, not getting your seat preference. yes that's the worse we all love to be seated next to a window to take those pretty pictures but during season we hardly get window seats even though yours has been booked beforehand you can still loose that window seat just because you happen to arrive late at the airport. so to avoid that check in 24 hrs before your flight is due and the plus point you just have to drop your luggage and collect your boarding pass and next thing you know you are already on your way to security check 😉😉.                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

• STAY HYDRATED:                                                                                                                         Travelling can be exhausting when we don't take enough fluids staying hydrated is really important as cabin lacks humidity and dehydration can lead to catching a cold or falling sick with other illnesses as the mucous membranes dry out. High security doesn't allow to carry water so instead carry empty water bottles and fill them up at the water fountain after the security check and after boarding the flight you can also ask the flight attendant to fill it up for you.    

                                                                                                                                                       

• LIMIT CARRY ON'S:                                                                                                                   Last minute packing should be avoided at all costs as that can lead to addition of more bags. The lesser you carry the stress free you are. When you carry a sling or messenger bag make sure it has enough space and loads of pockets as you can easily organize your passport and boarding pass in an easy accessible area and keeping your OTC medicines in one part and other essential items can be organised easily with a spacious bag.                                                                                                            

• DON'T DRESS TO IMPRESS:                                                                                                       Wearing high heels and an amazing dress to go with yes you want people to look at you and be impressed but trust me darling that's the last thing you want to do for long haul travels. You can still dress your best in comfortable clothing wearing snickers or comfy ballerinas along with jeans and a comfy top can be your life saver and for the hijabs out there choose a hijab that refuses to slip and stay in shape through out your journey.                                                                                                                 

• PACK ACCORDINGLY:                                                                                                                 Whats more disappointing than not packing according to the weather. So, check the forecast and pack according to it. You might also want to keep a sweater or a hoodie in hand as airports and cabins can become really chilly.

Save A Life!

If someone is in need of help, lend them a helping hand. Do not wait for a Thank You! Because, the hands that help are holier than the lips that Pray!

20 years ago, an altruistic soul named Dr. Putta Bore Gowda a professor in the M S Ramaiah Institute Of Technology, along with the National Service Scheme(NSS) took an initiative to help the people. They started the Blood Donation Camp and they have successfully organized 19 blood donation camps. This year they are setting up the 20th camp and we would like to encourage everyone of you to donate blood. It takes less than 40 minutes to donate 1 pint of Blood but it can save 3 lives.
Also donating blood is a way to stay healthy, it has its own benefits. It boosts the production of new blood cells, helps in weight loss, also decreases the risk of cancer and much more. And the best part is the satisfaction you gain when you realize how you important you can be for someone in need.
So guys, be there at M S Ramaiah Institute Of Technology on 29th November 2017, the camp will be organized from morning 10:00 to evening 5:00 in the ESB basement. A good number of blood banks such as Red Cross, Ramaiah, Victoria, Raj Kumar etc will be visiting the institute. A team of well qualified doctors will look before and after you donate blood. Everything will be done in a purely hygienic environment so you don't have to worry about it! Just remember that if you are found underweight, or you have a low haemoglobin count, if you have a tattoo or a piercing done recently you won't be eligible to donate blood.

We hope we have played little part by spreading the awareness about this noble cause. Now it's your turn to donate blood and be a hero I'm someone's life:)
Lastly congratulations to the NSS-MSRIT for starting such an amazing initiative and we wish you all the very best for the 20th camp good luck!

Bonus: You will be given a certificate stating that you have donated blood , and this certificate is very important because it can get you free blood in case of emergency. So be it your family/friends, you can show this certificate to the respective blood bank and they will provide you with a unit of required blood for free! Which otherwise could cost you some money!

Jeddah : A Jaunt Through Memories

Al-Mamlakah Al-Ārabīyah As-Saúdīyah also known as The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia , the Islamic centre of the world where every year millions of people from all around the world visit the country. Apart from being the only Islamic centre this country has a lot to offer , and we are totally grateful to Allah (swt) as we both hail from the same country.

View from the top :)

So today we are taking you on a walk. A walk through the marvels of Jeddah. Jeddah is also known as the bride of Red Sea, it is called so because it lies on the Coast of Red Sea. Pretty fancy name we must say ;)

Al-Balad- Balad in Arabic means city and Al-Balad is the city centre of Jeddah. It also shows the historical side of Jeddah. People travelling to Makkah , Madina or even to other cities like Riyadh, take buses and taxis from balad. Now comes the fun fact, the Tomb of Eve is also situated in cemetery of Balad and it measures 130 meters...........yes its that long. Well, apart from all these you can find all kinds of shops from high quality Turkey carpets to Indian mangoes , from high end watch brands like Rolex to a local fidget spinner. This is one of the best places to shop anything in the city, Just that you need to walk a lot and it's tiring :(

Malls- Who doesn't like malls? Especially when you can find high end fashion brands and grocery supermarkets such as Danube /Carrefour/Othaim or Lulu hypermarket under the same roof. Also the food courts are huge and consist of Starbucks , Al-Baik , Baskin Robins and anything you can ask for.  Best part of every mall here is that each mall is equipped with an amusement section which is not only for kids but also adults can ride on here. Apart from all this a separate ice rink is another made in the basement section of the mall where all kinds of ice skating competitions take place. Now the best mall in town are definitely The Red Sea Mall and The Mall Of Arabia, but there are other numerous and interesting malls where you go just to kill time and shop if you are opulent:)

Fakieh Aquarium- Well it is the only aquarium open to public in the Kingdom, and we must say this aquarium is a piece of art. It boasts of about more than 200 species including sharks , sea horses and all the other fishes. There are dolphin and seal lion shows every day and trust me it's worth every riyal :) The is small compared to the Dubai aquarium but it is constructed beautifully , we recommend you to visit the aquarium on Wednesdays and Thursdays as the crowd is moderate also the tickets for both the dolphin show and the aquarium is 50 SAR. After a 45-50 minute walk from the aquarium you end up in a cute little store where you can purchase your souvenirs.

The Beach- Aaaah we are finally here!!!!!!! "Ocean breeze, puts a mind at ease", yes we love beaches and here in Jeddah you can find two types of beaches , common and private. At the Private beach you need to pay and then access it but it is worth because you can spend your own sweet time with your family at the beach and there is no dress code here. The best example of a private beach is Silver Sands Beach. The common beach also known as Corniche is also a beautiful beach. It has cabanas where you can relax with your family , sip Cawa or just watch the water hitting the shore. You can definitely enjoy in the water here as well just that you need to make sure you have your abaya on and you are covered. Apart from the cabanas there are swings , slides and trampolines where you can play even in the night time.
One main attraction when it comes to beaches is Masjid Ar-Rahma or The Floating Mosque. This mosque is literally constructed on water and it is situated on the corniche it self. The view from the mosque is amazing it's just the Sea on the right side and the city on the left. People visit this mosque without fail because it is a masterpiece ;)

Tahlia street-Also known as Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz street is a sophisticated fashion and shopping amidst Jeddah. It houses upscale shops and boutiques such as Prada, Gucci, Ted baker, D&G, and Chanel to name a few. This street is a Replica of Champs-Élysées located in Paris. It is also marked as a celebration street for soccer fans who drive up and down in super cars such as Lamborghini, Ferrari or McLaren waving club scarfs and sounding their car horns or revving up their super cars just to celebrate victory. This sight is enthralling and the cars are worth watching. If you are a car enthusiast or a heavy shopper this place is meant for you. This street is our personal favourite and Thursday evenings are meant to be spent here.

Hope you enjoyed reading this piece as much as we enjoyed writing it. Hope this post gave you an insight about this beautiful city Jeddah. See you soon with another interesting post. Until then happy travelling :)

Ar-Rahma Masjid :)

An Anatomy On Abayas!

"Fashion is a statement, Not a style. Fashion does not have to be worn casually. Nor Outside the Runway. Fashion is fit for all sizes for all people of all ages. Fashion is an art of personal self expression. Not an excuse to be pretty, popular and charismatic."

Hey guys, So today we decided to showcase the plethora of Abayas - the biggest style statement in the history of Islamic clothing. As the oxford dictionary defines 'Abaya' as a full length , loose- fitting over garment worn by the Muslim women, over the years the designers have come up with beautiful yet modest styles of Abayas.

The "Rustic" look:

This is the most comfortable and decent style that everybody opt for! Whether a college going girl who needs be presentable everyday or a home maker who needs to head out for grocery....this is the style that goes best...A long , loose, black and simple abaya which needs to be buttoned up. And you're good to go!!!!

The "Panache " look:
Every one loves to deck themselves up when it comes to parties and functions. Hence, for this purpose the Abayas are made carefully using the 'fursan' fabric. It is the most soft and the best fabric used especially for designer Abayas. These Abayas are decorated with intricate embroidery , or crystal work or laces which gives them the panache look!!!!!!

The "Contrast" look:
Black- the colour of Abayas! But with the evolution of time people have come up with beautiful ideas to bring about a change in the look of the abaya. They have given colours that compliment the black abaya very well. Light colours such as beige, white, light gray, peach, browns and baby pink go very well with the black Abayas. These colours are blended well into the abaya, they are either printed with these colours or sequenced or laced , which elevates the flair of the abaya!!!
 

The "Cardigan" look:

An abaya can definitely be worn along with maxi dresses, jeans, and maxi skirts, this gives you a chic look. These kind of Abayas do not have buttons/ belts. They also have large sleeves compared to other abaya sleeves. The material used is mostly synthetic fabric and usually these kind of Abayas are double layered. These are famous among the western Muslims....and its slowly spreading to the Asian countries as well.

 The "Butterfly " look:

This look is my personal favourite, this abaya is nothing but a kaftan inspired abaya. The edges of the sleeves are directly attached to the remaining  length of the abaya, unlike all the other Abayas. It's the the most beautiful look the designers have ever created. It's so comfortable and can be worn for any occasion. The best part of this abaya is the flow that it gives, the material used is usually chiffon teamed up with a satin fabric underneath. This look is quite famous among youngsters.

We hope you enjoyed reading about the different styles of abayas . Do tell us which was your favorite style in the comment section below :)

Bonus : All the abayas shown above are around 180-220 SAR. So if u happen to visit the Islamic capital of Saudi Arabia...that is Jeddah , the best place to shop for abayas is "Abaya Souk" in Bawadi. Also the "Queens Building Commercial Centre" in Balad offers a wide range of beautiful abayas at the best price. See you next time in shaa Allah, until then happy shopping :-)

An amateur's visit to the bowling alley

Even though the title talks about one person, in reality they were two amateurs, on the lookout for leisure during their boring college summer break.

Us being us not knowing what to do landed up with the opinion of going to a bowling alley and hence ended with the nearest location to our place i.e. Wow World 😆😆 previously known as star city, opposite to palace grounds,Bangalore. It has a bowling alley as well as arcade games but with different cost prices though ;)
 When u decide to do something fun for once and you live in Bangalore, you either end up stuck in traffic or come across the place you had chosen to be crowded with people...as much as we hate crowds and traffic you do too!! So, here is the awesome part, you get to have fun with your friends and no crowd at all, no means not a single soul!!!. How cool is that???

Yes!!! it is cool, so all you have to do is visit the place during weekdays anywhere between 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and you too will have your "praise the lord" moment 😆 and all this for just the cost of 120 INR per person and they also have parking facility for 30 INR per hour. You don't have to wear shoes nor socks but just in case you are planning to visit, carry a pair of socks, you never know when 

.they decide to change their minds 

That was the happy part and here comes the not so happy part, yes we are talking about the arcade side now, well it wasn't that great it was costly for us, 250 INR for four games was a bit too much is what we concluded. We won tickets though 😆, 40 tickets in total and I bet you wont be able to guess what our prize was.............................................a chewing gum😆😆😆😆..........strawberry flavored😆😆😆😆😆.





 This doesn't mean we didn't have fun, its always the little things that makes us smile wholeheartedly and leaving our souls satisfied so cherish these little moments while they last :)

 
And thus, we concluded the day with our favorite ice creams, mango and chocolate flavored ones ^^
             That's all for now..............see you soon !!!!

BONUS: In the arcade game, you have to pay 50 INR as a deposit for the card they provide you, which will be returned once you are done with all the games and the card has been returned. The tickets won will be counted and depending the tickets you receive points and extra 5 points are present in your card 😉 the points will be calculated and you will receive your prize. Make sure to win loads of tickets 😉😉