Why I Loved Saudi Arabia?

A white mosque along the shore of Al-Khobar City, KSA. 

First Impressions Last 

Saudi Arabia is a great country located in the Middle East, where the two holiest mosques of Islam are found, it is a country with the biggest proven oil reserves. 

Making it one of the most powerful countries in the world. There are around ten million expat workers in the kingdom from almost all nationalities working together. 

The first time i came in Saudi Arabia,  I was deeply amazed with the culture and their surrounding, the place is very unique and peaceful. Which is totally different from my country where i came from, i fell in love of the place although it is mainly desert land. 

A Place of Peace and Tranquility

Expat workers go fishing during the weekend in KSA. 

The ambiance is very tranquil and serene, no wonder why it is among the safest places according to the global ranking, contrary to what most of the people thought that Saudi Arabia is unsafe. 

People who have not been here have misconception about the country. Mainly because of the wrong information spread out by the biased media. 

Let me share with you some of the best things i loved here in KSA: 

The culture, it is very difficult to find now adays a country which has able to preserve its culture and heritage. But thanks to this country where their culture is still visible despite of the advancing technology. Saudi people are very updated with the latest trend in the society; however, it is amazing to realize that they are able to maintain their unique tradition which has been handed down from generations. 

A silhouette of a mosque in Al-Khobar City, KSA.  

Simplicity, Saudi Arabia is indeed the holiest land of Islam, people here are very simple and living in a simple way of life. Although mostly of the Saudis are able to afford luxurious things they prefer to be simple and humble. 

Unlike its neighboring countries where luxury is their way of life, Saudi Arabia remained simple despite of all the temptations of the outside world. 

Culturally Rich Country 

Modesty, people in Saudi Arabia are very modest both men and women conform to the rules and regulations imposed by the government and their faith. Saudi women including foreigners are wearing "abaya" to cover their body whenever in public places. Hence, Saudi Arabia is among the safest places for professional expat women to work due to its strict implementation of opposite sex segregation. 

Saudi locals smile while taking a photo, Saudis are friendly
and accommodating. 

Central locations, Saudi Arabia is located in the Middle East and its location is central to almost all corners of the world, which means being in Saudi Arabia gives you more opportunity to travel the best places in the globe. Recently, i went to United Arab Emirates for holidays from Saudi Arabia. 

Warm and Friendly Locals

People, the locals in Saudi Arabia are among the friendliest people that i have ever known, they are very warm and hospitable. Being here in the kingdom for five years i have local friends who are very supportive, especially my colleagues in the office. 

Saudis are very easy to deal with, they are helpful and respectful. Although nothing is perfect in this world, but most likely you will be able to meet friendly and accommodating locals in this holy land of Islam. 

I am extremely honored and grateful to be in this land i called my second home, the land that feeds more than ten million expat workers. I hope that Saudi Arabia will remain its door open for foreign workers to support and help them building their country. Have you ever been in Saudi Arabia? Let me know in the comment box below!

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Travelling to UAE from Saudi Arabia

Being in Saudi Arabia is being in the center of the world, which means a great opportunity to travel great places and countries from East to West. Today i would like to guide you as how to travel to United Arab Emirates from Saudi Arabia. UAE is very popular and famous around the world, perhaps because of Dubai City, where most of the biggest, the tallest, grandest and luxurious thing on earth exist. 

Last June 2017, during the Eid Holidays after Ramadan, i had a chance to visit UAE from Saudi Arabia. I was very excited because it was my first time travelling to UAE and my first time travelling to another country for pleasure. As a residence here in the gulf travelling to UAE is not too difficult, perhaps we have residence card from the country where we are in. 

At first i was not planning to visit UAE, it wasn't really my intention. However, there was one travel agency that offered a very reasonable price which will tour you around Abu Dhabi and Dubai for five days. So i made my decision, went to the travel agency and book my reservation, question? am i allowed to travel to UAE as a filipino without visa? The answer is no, as a filipino even if i have residence card in Saudi Arabia, i have to pre-arrange or get the visa first prior going to UAE. 

In my case, it was very easy because the travel agency did all the preparations including visa arrangement. However, if you want to get the visa by yourself, you can either apply through UAE consulate personally or download your application on their website. Since UAE is not too far from Saudi Arabia, i went there by land trip. 

From Al-Khobar City to Abu Dhabi it took around 8 hours by bus including traffic jam and immigration checkpoint. Indeed it was very exhausting, all i wanted is to reach to our hotel and lay down on my bed. Abu Dhabi City is the capital city of United Arab Emirates, just like Dubai, Abu Dhabi is full of high skyscrapers and establishments. 

The city is lively and many tourists are roaming around the city, Abu Dhabi city is tolerant and foreigners are able to enjoy mostly of their usual activities in their homeland. While i was there, i have seen the difference between Abu Dhabi and the place where i lived in Saudi. UAE is very open, expat women are wearing whatever clothes they want to. Likewise, i have seen that liquor is being sold in Abu Dhabi. 

On our first day at Abu Dhabi we went to the beautiful cor-niche overlooking the entire marina bay of the city, it was very mesmerizing seeing the beautiful skyscrapers from afar and taking great shots. However, my excitement turned into chaos when i had suddenly lost my iPhone 7. I was frantic looking around the places where i had been and asking people whether they have seen it or not. Luckily, it was pickup by one of the tourists who were in the same bus where i was in. It was a sigh of relief after i got my iPhone back. 

I thought i have lost it forever, our next stop was in Marina Mall, others went to Ferrari World a very popular theme  park in Abu Dhabi. However, i did not go there due to the tension i have experienced almost losing my iPhone for good. So i decided to go to Marina mall and spent a couple of hours there. 

After going to Marina Mall, we headed to the extravagant Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi for picture taking, the hotel is among the most expensive hotels in the world, in fact one of the scenes of the Fast and Furious was taken in this hotel. The entrance of the hotel is like the structure usually seen in Paris, the hotel is so big and spacious. Though it was very hot and humid outside tourists got out from their vehicles to have a photo of this landmark. 

Indeed my visit in Abu Dhabi city was worth remembering, it was one of the most amazing experience in my life, being able to see the city full of greatness and wealth. A place full of memories and wonderful things to offer, I will be writing down shortly my trip and experience in Dubai, please watch out for it on my next blog; if you have ever been there, let me know in the comment box below.