SCENES FROM THE RED SEA

 

WEEKEND REFLECTIONS

AL JAFFALI MOSQUE

SAUDI WOMEN AT MALL

BEAUTIFUL RESORT NORTH OF JEDDAH

LINKING TO - WEEKEND REFLECTIONS

 

Our World - Al Ula Barzan

One of the eleven different tours offered at the Winter at Tantora Festival in Al Ula is a trip to Barzan Resort for a Saudi style luncheon amidst the peaceful palm treed grounds. A traditionally dressed server greets guests as they enter, offering a small cup of gahwa (Arabic coffee).

Black tents with white stripes which are made of goat hair are situated around the grounds.  Inside the tents are vendors offering handmade crafts made by Saudi women, such as beaded veils and jewlery.

An assortment of delicious Saudi dishes is served for lunch in a large open air carpeted area with Bedouin style seating on the floor.

It was definitely a true unforgettable Saudi experience, as the entire Weekend at Tantora Festival was.

To read more about my experience at the Winter at Tantora Festival in Al Ula, CLICK HERE.

My friend Laura of the amazing blog Blue Abaya has written a fabulous comprehensive guide and history of Madain Saleh with lots of fantastic photos - CLICK HERE to access it.

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's Belajio Resort and Restaurant

The expansive Belajio Resort and Restaurant is located right on the Red Sea coastline of Jeddah with lovely restaurants and beautiful sea views.  It also has a kid's entertainment area and lovely outdoor seating.   

A big "Thanks" to my friend and amazing photographer Abdullah Yahya for allowing me to share these beautiful photos for today's post.  Stay tuned for more fantastic pics from around Saudi Arabia taken by Abdullah.  Follow him on Instagram and Twitter @ayaa1977

Our World: Gender Segregated Gates

As many times as I've been to this beach resort north of Jeddah, I've never seen anyone adhere to these gender segregating signs indicating that men and women need to use separate gates a few feet apart...



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: Beach Reflections

Jeddah Beach Resort

The city of Jeddah runs north and south along the Red Sea, taking full advantage of being right on the coastline. North of Jeddah, there are many beach resorts - some catering to everyone and others catering to only expats, where women's dress codes are much looser.

This beach resort called Durrat al Aroos has a large marina which houses hundreds of sailing vessels.

Our World: Jeddah, Jewel of the Red Sea

Jeddah is the largest seaport on the Red Sea. It is the gateway to the holiest cities of Islam, Mecca and Medina, which are located in the Hejaz Province in western Saudi Arabia.  Because of its location on the Red Sea, Jeddah is also a very popular tourist and resort destination for Saudis.  It is also billed as the most open city in the Kingdom, likely because of the millions of religious pilgrims who enter the country by way of Jeddah and is also referred to as the Jewel of the Red Sea.



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.

Saudi Arabia Hotel Spread

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

The food was as good as it looks.

Compound Common Area

Many residential expat compounds in Jeddah have a definite resort feel to them.  Common areas often include pools, tennis courts, restaurants, shopping areas, and playgrounds. Compound living offers more familiarity and comfort for western expats, however to live within the walls of compounds usually comes with a heftier price tag than living outside the compound. 

Resort Like Living - in the Compound

One of the draws for many workers from other countries is the lifestyle offered here in Saudi Arabia. Many expats live in compounds, which are walled-in communities where life is quite different from outside its wall.  Women do not have to wear the abaya inside the compound walls and in some compounds, women can even drive.  

Many compounds have resort-like swimming pool areas, exercise classes, tennis courts, bowling alleys, golf courses, restaurants, beauty salons, theaters, and grocery stores. They also offer easier access to transportation and a variety of events to keep residents as busy as they want to be.  

SkyWatch: Compound Pool

Many of the residential compounds in Saudi Arabia for expat workers from foreign countries afford a resort living lifestyle for its residents.  Female residents can wear whatever they wish inside the walls of the compound and can even drive vehicles in some.

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.

SkyWatch: Beach Pool

This is the pretty scene out at one of Jeddah's beach resorts north of the city that caters to Jeddah's working expats.  You can see the Red Sea beyond the umbrellas in the center of the photo.



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.

Jeddah: Walkway to Beach

This walkway leads to a beautiful beach on Jeddah's northern coastline.

Jeddah: Mosaic Beach Path

Here is another walkway that leads to a beautiful beach in northern Jeddah.  I love the mosaic tile and the variety of colors.

SkyWatch: Thatched Paradise

Thatch umbrellas provide shade at one of Jeddah's lovely beach resorts.



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.

Beach Villas

These pink twin beach villas could be part of a family compound at the resort area north of Jeddah called Durrat Al Aroos.

SkyWatch: Red Sea Coast

This part of the Red Sea coastline is north of Jeddah in a resort area called Durrat Al Aroos.  When we go out to the sea, we usually depart from this area.

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.

Durrat Al Aroos

This is a section of the Durrat Al Aroos Resort Village, north of Jeddah.  With its own harbor, this area offers many options for a nice weekend get away. The elaborate wooden window coverings are fashioned after the distinctive roshan of Old Jeddah. 

Jeddah: Compound Pool Area

Many residential compounds in Jeddah are exclusive for foreign workers and do not allow Saudis to live there or even visit.  One reason is that inside the compound walls, women do not have to wear the black cloak or cover their hair.  Women can wear bathing suits when swimming or sunbathing at the beautiful pool areas inside the compounds.  Even at Saudi resorts that accommodate Saudi guests, many do not permit women to swim at all, unless there is a separate private pool provided just for women.