Saturday, December 31, 2016

Saudi Arabia: Formal Living Room


This is the formal living room of a typical Saudi home. Most Saudi homes have at least two entrances and two separate parlor areas to accommodate female and male guests separately.  Saudi decorating style tends to lean toward formal.

Friday, December 30, 2016

SkyWatch: Saudi Arabia Hotel Pool Area


 Saudi Arabia boasts some beautiful world renowned chain hotels.



Due to strict cultural norms, this pool is off limits to female adult swimmers.  Women can swim in hotels that offer a totally private pool for ladies only that is inaccessible to men.



To  visit MORE friendly skies around the world, fly on over to SKYWATCH  where you’ll find beautiful skies posted by bloggers all over the world.

Thursday, December 29, 2016

Saudi Arabia: Mosque Dome


Many mosques in Saudi Arabia also incorporate domes in their architectural details.


From this perspective of the same mosque, one cannot see the dome, just the crescent moon symbol which tops it.

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Saudi Arabia Hotel Spread


One of the buffet tables from an outdoor poolside party in Riyadh.


The food was as good as it looks.


Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Our World: Saudi Arabia Residential Compound Entrance


Larger residential compounds for expat workers in Saudi Arabia generally offer high level security for its residents.  This is an obstacle course entrance typical of many compounds which leads to a guard gate.  The high walls surrounding the entire complex are all topped with spiraled barbed wire.  Once inside the compound, it appears much like typical communities in the west, where women can walk around in normal street clothes without the abaya.





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Monday, December 26, 2016

Saudi Arabia Home Entryway


From the same Saudi home in yesterday's stained glass window post, this entryway to the home features a stained glass double door with accompanying stained glass window panels and arched door topper.


Many Saudi homes have elegant and grand entrances like this.

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Saudi Home Stained Glass Window




I have been fortunate to have been able to see some amazing private residences here in Saudi Arabia.  This huge stained glass wall is on one side of an enormous formal dining room and overlooks the pool area.


Here are some closer up shots of the beautiful window.


Saturday, December 24, 2016

Saudi Arabia: Christmas Tidings






There are not many signs of Christmas in Saudi Arabia, as you can imagine.  But many expats are able to enjoy holiday festivities despite the ban on religions other than Islam in this country.  Embassies often host holiday parties and bazaars or choral events, etc.  Wishing you all a Happy Holiday and all the best in the coming year!

Friday, December 23, 2016

SkyWatch: Jeddah Mosque Minaret


All too often the skies of Jeddah are hazy and dusty.  I was happy with the sky on this day.  The blue really makes the mosque's minaret stand out nicely.


To  visit MORE friendly skies around the world, fly on over to SKYWATCH  where you’ll find beautiful skies posted by bloggers all over the world.

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Our World: Gender Segregation Sign


Gender segregation is one of the things that I dislike most about living in Saudi Arabia.  Shops that cater specifically to women's products, like lingerie or cosmetics, usually do not allow single men entry into them.  Restaurants generally have separate entrances and eating areas for single men and for women or families. 




Be sure to visit OUR WORLD TUESDAY, where family-friendly bloggers share a unique glimpse into what life is like all around our ever-amazing planet.

Monday, December 19, 2016

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Jeddah Shop Name


In Saudi Arabia, it's interesting to see a shop named after an island in Hawaii.

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Friday, December 16, 2016

SkyWatch: Jeddah Villa Neighbor

Privacy is a major concern in Saudi Arabia, hence the high walls around every villa.  I doubt that the owner of this villa is happy about the highrise building being built right next door. 


To  visit MORE friendly skies around the world, fly on over to SKYWATCH  where you’ll find beautiful skies posted by bloggers all over the world.

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Jeddah Restaurant


Jeddah's restaurant scene is booming.  There is a great variety of restaurants to choose from.  I like the business sign for this Crab House. 

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Jeddah Modern Supermarket


This Jeddah supermarket has cool beams that light up and change colors on the end of each aisle.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Our World: Saudi Product Logos


I love seeing products like this with cool packaging.


Many food products are imported into Saudi Arabia from all over the world.  I don't think Disney would be too happy about the one below ...






Be sure to visit OUR WORLD TUESDAY, where family-friendly bloggers share a unique glimpse into what life is like all around our ever-amazing planet.

Monday, December 12, 2016

Sunday, December 11, 2016

Arabic Store Sign


I can't read Arabic but I like the font and color of the business sign for this large shop which sells thobes, the traditional white dress that Saudi men wear.

Saturday, December 10, 2016

Jeddah Business


SACO is a chain store in Jeddah that could be compared to Home Depot or Loews in the US.  DIY home improvement projects are rarely performed by actual homeowners here because foreign labor is so inexpensive. 

Friday, December 9, 2016

SkyWatch: Jeddah's Rosewood Corniche Hotel



The Rosewood Corniche Hotel is one of Jeddah's interesting buildings for architectural style.  One part of the building is round and the other part is topped off with a big hole that a small airplane could probably fly through.


To  visit MORE friendly skies around the world, fly on over to SKYWATCH  where you’ll find beautiful skies posted by bloggers all over the world.

Thursday, December 8, 2016

Jeddah Palace Under Construction


I believe this might be a palace judging by its sheer size.  It's been under construction for quite a while already. 

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Our World: Busy Storefront


Many businesses here in Jeddah go overboard with busy visual graphics on their storefronts.  




Be sure to visit OUR WORLD TUESDAY, where family-friendly bloggers share a unique glimpse into what life is like all around our ever-amazing planet.

Sunday, December 4, 2016

Jeddah Cultural Club


While there are no movie theaters in Jeddah, this building of the Literary Cultural Club houses a lovely auditorium where movie screenings or other events are sometimes offered for members.






Saturday, December 3, 2016

Jeddah King Road Tower


This Jeddah highrise is called the King Road Tower, a 34 floor office building that boasts the world's largest LED advertising screens on either side of the building.  The screen can be seen for miles - I can see it from the rooftop of our building, which is about a 20 minute drive away.  The building is constructed of reinforced concrete and steel with an all glass facade.  It was completed in 2011 and instantly became a familiar landmark of the city of Jeddah.

Friday, December 2, 2016

SklyWatch: Sun Roof


I apologize for the poor quality of this photo, but it's really difficult to get a good shot of something like this here in Saudi Arabia.  General safety concerns really haven't impacted Saudi Arabia as they have in many other countries yet.  Most Saudi children are not buckled into seatbelts and smaller kids are not placed in car seats.  Many younger kids sit on dad's lap as he drives, or on mom's lap in the passenger seat.  And it is common to see children riding in cars standing up and sticking out of the sun roof or hanging out the windows.  If an accident occurs and the child is injured or killed, it is considered to be God's will, not parental carelessness.


To  visit MORE friendly skies around the world, fly on over to SKYWATCH  where you’ll find beautiful skies posted by bloggers all over the world.

Thursday, December 1, 2016

CDP Theme Day: Transitions


The Jeddah airport is called the King Abdulaziz International Airport and has been in operation since 1981.  This photo features a small section of the open-air Hajj Terminal, which was built specifically to handle the millions of religious pilgrims from around the world who travel to Mecca during a short time frame each year.  The structure consists of over 200 tent-like coverings which provide shade and allow for natural ventilation.  The Jeddah airport has no jet bridges.  Passengers must climb a flight of stairs to board the airplanes.  The severe heat and lugging carry-on bags can make climbing the stairs even more difficult.  A new expansion project is currently under construction (expected to be completed in 2018) and it will have jet bridges.  I can hardly wait for this much anticipated improvement.

Today is the first of the month, which means it's theme day for City Daily Photo bloggers.  City Daily Photo is an online community of photo bloggers from around the world, sharing the wonders of their area of the world pictorially with others.  Each month there is a different theme.  This month's theme is "Transitions."

Please visit the City Daily Photo portal to view other participants' entries for today's theme day of "Transitions."

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Our World: Jeddah Villa with Privacy Wall


This is a shot of a very typical single family villa of Jeddah.  All villas completely enclosed by tall walls.  Many walls have upward extensions for additional privacy from neighboring buildings, as you can see here on the left.




Be sure to visit OUR WORLD TUESDAY, where family-friendly bloggers share a unique glimpse into what life is like all around our ever-amazing planet.