Jeddah: Mosque Entrance Al Balad

This is the entrance to a mosque located in the middle of a souk in Al Balad.  Employees and shopkeepers close down their shops at prayer times and come here to pray.  

Jeddah: Papaya Restaurant Interior

The interior of Papaya Restaurant in Jeddah is a delightful relaxed tropical atmosphere complete with the sounds of chirping birds and trickling water fountains.  Whenever I go there, I feel like I am no longer in Saudi Arabia

At night the restaurant is awash in colored lights .  The lush vegetation inside feels like greenhouse and affords lots of privacy for diners.  

Day or night, there is something magical about this restaurant.  And the food is not bad either!  Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Papaya Restaurant is located just south of Shatee Souk on Ahmad al Attas Street.

Address: Az Zahra, Jeddah 23425

Phone:012 275 3425

SkyWatch: Island Mosque on Red Sea

There are several mosques in Jeddah that have prominent places along the Red Sea coastline.  This mosque, called Island Mosque, was finished in 1988 and is built on a very tiny island right off the coast.  Island Mosque was designed by Abdel Wahed Al Wakil, an Egyptian architect responsible for designing more than 15 mosques in Saudi Arabia and many others around the world. He is also credited with designing some of the kingdom's many palaces and mansions.  Formerly there were restrictions limiting the color of all mosques in Jeddah to being exclusively white.  However colors are now allowed, so Island Mosque was painted a neutral cream color with attractive peach trim, a lovely contrast to the blue green waters of the Red Sea.  

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Jeddah: Old Mosque Minaret

I like the sharp decorative points beneath the top of this mosque's minaret.  They seem to be protecting it to me. 

Jeddah: Frankincense

These small golden nuggets were once considered more precious as gold itself.  More commonly known as frankincense, "luban" is the Arabic word for it.  But what exactly is frankincense?  You might be surprised to learn that it is actually the dried natural chewing gum of the Frankincense tree. Saudis like to chew it as gum, but I find it rather flavorless myself.  It is also burned as incense.  To learn more about the interesting history of frankincense, CLICK HERE.

Our World: Busy Jeddah Souk

Down in the oldest part of Jeddah called Al Balad are some of the city's oldest thriving souks.  One can find just about anything the heart desires here.  It is a place where negotiating for the price you wish to pay is an art form.

 


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Jeddah: Floating Mosque on Red Sea

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Jeddah, the Floating Mosque is a huge draw for pilgrims traveling through Jeddah before or after they make their religious pilgrimage to Mecca.  The official name of this mosque is Fatima Az Zahra Mosque, named after the daughter of the prophet Mohammed.  At high tide the mosque appears to be floating in the Red Sea.  It is actually supported by stilts in the water and is accessible by a walking bridge.  It is one of at least four mosques situated next to the Corniche Road running along the Red Sea.

You can see a closer up photo I posted previously of this mosque by CLICKING HERE.

Old Jeddah: Souk Hallway

A quieter time at one of the souks in Old Jeddah.  

Size Comparison

I got a kick out of these muffin cups that I saw sitting on the shelf in a local Jeddah supermarket. The slightly larger box holds "24 American Muffin Cups" while the other smaller box offers "120" regular muffin cups. 

SkyWatch: Mameluke Lanterns, Jeddah Sculpture

Often cited as one of Jeddah's most beautiful sculptures, the Mameluke Lanterns are indeed a striking feature along Jeddah's Al Andalus Road, where it curves and changes in to King Abdulaziz Road.  At night when the four gigantic stained glass lanterns are illuminated from within, they are breathtakingly beautiful.  The Mameluke Lanterns are the creation of the Spanish architect and artist, Julio Lafuente, who is credited with designing more than 30 sculptures for the City of Jeddah.

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Jeddah: Old & New

Jeddah is a city of stark contrasts, where the old is mixed with the new, where elaborate palaces are built next door to decrepit hovels, and where the society is as black and white as the clothing that its women and men wear.  This photo was taken in Al Balad, the oldest section of Jeddah, which is home to old crumbling buildings as well as modern new skyscrapers.  

Jeddah Sculpture: The Cosmos

One of the largest sculptures in Jeddah as well as the whole world, The Cosmos is a prominent landmark of the city.  Sometimes referred to as The Fallopian Tubes by the locals, this sculpture was designed by German artist Ottmar Hollmann.  For a close up photo showing more details of the sculpture and more information about this sculpture, please click HERE.

Our World: Wires = Fires

When the older buildings in Al Balad were constructed, it was pre-electricity.  Consequently the old buildings that are still standing have been wired in haphazard and unsafe ways, as you can see here in this photo.  It comes as no surprise then that many of the older buildings have been destroyed by electrical fires.  It's a shame as well as rather surprising that there are no safety codes enforced to prevent the many fires from happening.

 


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.

Jeddah: Young Vendors at Souk

Whenever I go down to the souks in Al Balad or the huge outdoor fruit and vegetable market in Jeddah to take have photos, the young vendors are usually very obliging and eager to pose for me. 

Old Jeddah: Al Balad Souk

A trip down to Jeddah's Al Balad is always a fun filled adventure.  At certain times during the day, the souks are quite busy, but at night, the place is really hopping with all the hustle and bustle of commerce going on.  

Saudi Arabia: Product Packaging Geared for Girls

Fulla is the name of the Muslim version of the Barbie doll.  And just like Barbie's image is used to market many other products, so is Fulla's.  Above we have Fulla endorsed milk chocolate eggs and below are Fulla cupcakes.

SkyWatch: Crescent Moon Minaret Topper

Most Muslims claim there are no symbols of Islam, however most mosque minarets are topped with a crescent moon.  There is no doubt that the crescent moon is significant in Islam.  Its sighting marks the beginning and end of the fasting month of Ramadan.  It is also featured on the flags of many Muslim countries, along with a five point star.

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Jeddah: Lumiere Restaurant

Jeddah is a city known for its great restaurants.  Lumiere Restaurant offers fine dining in a beautiful atmosphere.  The unusual lighting along with the golden ornaments hanging from the ceiling are elegant, graceful, and exquisite.

Lumiere is perfect for any special occasion and is one of four restaurants in the Bellevue Complex, which also includes Amara, Aiji, and The Connoisseur.

Lumiere Restaurant:  Prince Faisal Bin Fahd, Ash Shati, Jeddah - Phone 055 535 6373 

Jeddah: Arabic Writing on Mosque

This is a mosque that stands in Jeddah's old section called Al Balad.  The mosque has detailing in the form of Arabic calligraphy (verses from the Quran) adorning its outer walls.  I think it makes for an attractive border, don't you? 

Our World: Crumbling Al Balad

Sadly the condition of many buildings in the oldest section of Jeddah have fallen into disrepair and are literally crumbling.  Strange as it may sound, many of these building are still inhabited by the poor of this city.

 


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.

Jeddah: Looking Up

The wooden window encasement covering the windows of the old buildings of Jeddah is often made as boxes that stick out from the walls.  

Jeddah: Lock and Chain

Another lovely old carved door in Jeddah's Al Balad district.  I like the lock and chain.  The little stickers on the wall are likely for restaurants to deliver food.  Since women are not allowed to drive in this country, nearly all restaurants offer delivery, even fast food restaurants like McDonalds and Burger King.  

Jeddah: Lone Palm Tree

A lone palm tree

at the end of the street

prying eyes behind wooden screens

satellite dishes bringing empty dreams

SkyWatch: Mosque Minaret and Decorative Points

Many walls and building tops have these pointy arrow shaped designs incorporated into them here in Jeddah.  In Old Jeddah, many of these arrows are broken off as they are made of a cement of crushed coral, which is not a sturdy building material.

I love that I also captured a bird in flight in this close-up picture.




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Jeddah: Brown and Green Rawasheen

Another example of the rawasheen (wooden latticed window coverings) of Old Jeddah's Al Balad district.  

Jeddah: Old Door Frame Detail

I do have a thing for doors.  I am intrigued by doors and wonder about the mysteries and secrets of what lies beyond them, inside.

While the actual door itself appears to be newer and not original because of the newer cement frame around it and plain metal door, the outer frame has an amazing detail.  I wonder what the original door actually looked like.  It must have been quite spectacular.  

Our World: Dona Nobis Pacem

Dona Nobis Pacem - is Latin for "Grant Us Peace."

I have dreamed of a world of peace for as long as I can remember.  When I was a child in 1950s, I would often have difficulty falling asleep because of all the images swirling around in my head of Nikita Khrushchev threatening to bury me, the Cold War, and the Nuclear Arms Race.  I had nightmares.  It is a scary thing for a child who doesn't understand why everyone just can't get along or why there are wars in the first place.

As the decades passed, my difficulties in falling asleep remained, but what changed were who the Bad Guys were and the different fears.  Like Fidel Castro, the Viet Nam War, the Iran Hostage Crisis, the bombings in Northern Ireland, and the never ending conflicts involving Middle Eastern and African countries.

I still don't claim to understand the motivations or reasons behind all this worldwide turmoil.  But what I do know is that  I choose not to live in fear - and I am already against the next war.  That, for me, will never change.

We must change the world so our children don't have to be afraid, so they don't have nightmares, and so our children can know a World of Peace.

Today, November 4th, bloggers from all around the world are uniting together and Blogging for Peace.  Maybe somehow if enough of us stand up together and say "Enough is Enough" - maybe, just maybe, we can Give Peace a Chance.

Blog4Peace Website

Blog Blast for Peace Facebook Community

 


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.

Jeddah: Business Sign and More

Many of Jeddah's older buildings seem to be rather poorly designed, with not much thought given to its general appearance or design.  I looked up while walking in Al Balad (the oldest part of 1400 year old Jeddah), and I was intrigued by the rows of totally different imagery above me.  I was taken by the business sign with its graceful Arabic calligraphy, the arrow design pointing upward, the row of golden colored squares which preceded the beautiful cool ice blue wooden window coverings called rawasheen.  And above that, an inkling of the patched and crumbling building upon which all of these rows of imagery depend.  I thought the geometric shapes, the calligraphy, and the colors and textures all together made for an interesting picture - I hope you do too.

Bearded Palm Trees and Rawasheen

I love the tall bearded palm trees next to this old building in Al Balad, the oldest area of Jeddah.  I think this is one of my favorite examples of rawasheen because of the lovely color they are painted. Rawasheen are the wooden slatted window coverings so typical of many buildings in this city. 

CDP Theme Day: Jeddah Landmark

Jeddah is a city of landmarks - in the form of the many amazing sculptures that dot its landscape.  It is a very narrow city that runs north and south along the Red Sea coastline.  In general, Saudi Arabia does not use street addresses.  Most people cannot even recite their own home address and many don't even know the name of the street they live on.  Directions are given by using major street names and landmarks or businesses.

Getting lost in Jeddah is a very common occurrence.  The streets are also designed to make it as difficult as possible to get from Point A to Point B, with roads, entrances, and exits frequently closed off,  Vehicles must often go miles and miles out of their way simply because it is impossible to turn left or to turn around.  It creates even worse traffic congestion than normal because it takes so much longer to get places than it should.

To see a close-up photo and learn more about this sculpture called "Builder's Plumbline," CLICK HERE.  To see more of the fantastic sculptures of Jeddah, CLICK HERE.

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 that CDP members can participate in.  This month's theme is "Movement." 

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