Tagged With "Saudi Arabia"
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Re: Lawrence and the Pirates
Thanks for letting me as close as I'll probably get to the tramp steamer fantasy so many of us grew up with--and which is now, apparently, more civilized than in the fantasies...but still with an edge of danger.
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Re: Lawrence and the Pirates
Great piece and great photos!That way of travel appeals to me a lot more than a luxury cruise ship. Thanks for taking us along the adventure.
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Re: Lawrence and the Pirates
That's an amazing story! I love that scene from Lawrence Of Arabia and can see why it'd make you wanna go.
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Re: Lawrence and the Pirates
Thats a fantastic perspective and life experience. Thanks for sharing that with us.
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Re: Lawrence and the Pirates
A sad addendum, "our" Lawrence, Peter O'Toole, has died in London at the age of 81. One of my very favorites for all time, the movie and the actor. RIP "Orence".
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Re: Lawrence and the Pirates
CNN highlighted Lawrence of Arabia as one of the most influential travel films of all time. Anyone who's seen it will know why. Here's a link to their brief tribute to Mr. O'Toole.
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Re: A Visit to Saudi Arabia: Part II
Very interesting two posts. They bring back memories of visits to Dharan and the Eastern Province in the 1990s.
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Re: A Visit to Saudi Arabia: Part II
Excellent post, Lester, thanks! Two questions: 1) Is that black form in the photos your lovely wife? If so, I have to let the audience know this form of dress should be banned or, minimally, optional. 2) How many hotel staff did it take to drag you from that Presidential suite?
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Re: A Visit to Saudi Arabia: Part II
Very interesting to see this report since I worked for a Saudi company from 1978 to 2013 but I think I made my list trip there around 2005 or so -- things have changed quite a bit! Here's an example of how downtown Jeddah looked in 1979.
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Re: World's largest hotel to open in 2017
I know it sounds like sour grapes, but anyway: after experiencing big-hotel check-in at Las Vegas, I don't want to go to this one anyway.
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Re: World's largest hotel to open in 2017
Last night I had what seemed like a very long dream, hanging out with Joan Rivers. Not that it wasn't fun, but I'm as likely to think about staying in a hotel of this size anywhere as it is likely for that dream to come true.
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Re: A visit to Saudi Arabia: Part I
Wow! Thanks for this fascinating contribution, Lestertheinvestor. I was exhausted just from reading the directions for applying for the visa. It is quite obvious that Saudi Arabia doesn't want infidels visiting them. A few questions you might know the answer to: 1) Is the process stream-lined for a Muslim wanting to go to Mecca, and what kind of proof do they need to have that they're a Muslim? 2) Do you have any rough idea how many hours you spent on this process? Ball-park guess would do.
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Re: A visit to Saudi Arabia: Part I
1) The process is easier for a Muslim who is going on a hajj. However, unless you are native born, you must present a document from the Imam of your mosque documenting your status as a Muslim in good standing. For a Caucasian woman who is a converted Muslim, you must still get permission from your husband or a male relative, along with the letter from the mosque to allow you to make the hajj. 2) Between my wife and I (she actually presented our documents each time to the consulate in Los...
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Re: A visit to Saudi Arabia: Part I
What a bureaucratic nightmare! I wonder if there are countries that make it harder to visit than this one?
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Re: A visit to Saudi Arabia: Part I
Originally Posted by Travel Luver: What a bureaucratic nightmare! I wonder if there are countries that make it harder to visit than this one? My wife and I have visited 119 countries, with China, Bhutan and Saudi Arabia the most challenging to enter.
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Re: A visit to Saudi Arabia: Part I
My husband and I were invited to live there for two years while he did a medical fellowship in genetics. The challenge for me was that I am a very independent traveler, and I could not imagine how I would deal with the restrictions on women. In the end, those restrictions influenced our decision to go to Germany for two years instead. However, after having seen your photos, I am curious to see more. I regret that I do not know this part of the world.
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Re: Gumbo’s Pic of the Day, February 27, 2015: Postcards from Morocco - the camel train at sunset
I believe we will call you "Mac of Arabia" from now on. Another excellent image, my friend, thanks!
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Re: Hang around in Morocco....
I agree with Rob. I was expecting to see Lawrence of Arabia cruise by on a camel!
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So, what’s it worth ?
Bob Cranwell shares a discussion and thoughts on the value of things using a memorable experience in Yemen.
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November 27, 2017: The Burj Al Arabia, Dubai
One of the great luxury hotels of the worlds, the Burj Al Arab has become an iconic symbol of modern Dubai.
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Shaza Hotels: Experience Middle-Eastern Luxury, Comfort & Class
Sponsored content about a luxury hotel in Saudi Arabia.
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Best and Worst airports list for 2015
Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Paris-Beauvais, France and Laguardia in New York City top (or is it bottom?) the shame list for airports in the world, Europe and North America this year on a recent survey. At the other end of the scale, congratulations to...
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Saudi Arabia now promoting tourism
In a move to reduce dependence on an oil-based economy, Saudi Arabia has resumed issuing tourist visas and is looking to increase visits.
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How bad can an airport be? Here's how...
One of the more comprehensive surveys of the world's best and worst based on an annual survey. Take a look...and help rate for next year!
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Nov. 21, 2017: Azraq Castle, Jordan
Join Marilyn Jones on a visit to an ancient castle with a more recent history as the headquarters of Lawrence of Arabia.
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Pizza twirling on list for 'intangible heritages'
As a UNESCO committee meets, candidates from Italy, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh and more seek spots on the heritage lists.
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Camel cuties compete for Saudi royal prizes
Saudi Arabia is hosting a month-long festival and competition focusing on the historic, cultural and economic role of the 'Ship of the Desert.'
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UNESCO's new list skips World War I sites
UNESCO adds 19 new World Heritage sites, but ducks a request by France and Belgium to recognize World War I sites.
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Will Mers Affect Mideast Airlines?
Gumbo has reported on the major expansion of the Mideast Airlines - Emirates Airline of Dubai , Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways of Abu Dhabi. Those three airlines now send nearly 120 large, new planes weekly to a growing number of American...
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Journey to Jordan: Pt. 5, Wadi Rum
In Part 5, ProfessorAbe takes us to Wadi Rum, an area so apparently barren it has doubled for Mars in movie shoots.
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Journey to Jordan: Pt. 6, Aqaba and the Dead Sea
In the final part of this series, ProfessorAbe takes us to the Dead Sea, and the port and resort city of Aqaba.
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Kasbah Aït Benhaddou – A Chapter in Moroccan History
Marilyn Jones takes us along on a visit to a fascinating piece of Moroccan history that's also a landmark of cinema history.
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Saudi tourism may be hard to sell
Saudi Arabia is now looking for vacationers to help it shift from its oil-based economy, but it may not have instant success.
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Paris tops London for visitors
Mastercard's Global Cities Index has good news for Paris, and a list for you of cities with the most international visitors.
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Around the World in...10 low-cost airlines
The Telegraph (UK) recently sent one of its reporters, Richard Quest, on a quest to circle the globe, using only the ultra-low-cost carriers that have begun to grow out of the regional market into serious long-distance flights...but still with the same cheap-seat, tight-space, pay-extra-for-everything model. His report, which you can read HERE is a real mix of the good, the sort-of-bad and the somewhat cheesy, but he was able to make a complete circle of the globe from London for £1,653...
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Saudi Arabian Airlines to launch budget airline.
Saudi Arabian Airlines to launch budget airline.
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World's tallest building proposed for Tokyo
Tokyo is dreaming of a mile-high tower with apartments for 55,000 people, to be built on a series of islands that are part of a flood-control system.
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Re: Visiting Cuba pt 3. + more cars - bikes - taxi - bus and some nice pix too.
Sounds like you'll be arriving with an open mind Tom. You need to get out into the country to get a balanced view of the Cuban people. Like English tourists who visit New York and then reckon they know all about America. Computer speeds were very slow but WiFi is moving in slowly. DrF. China has a far worse record of "Human Rights" and escapes criticism. Tibetans were killed for their religious beliefs. The Tiananmen Square massacre. Just 25 years ago. No one asks you to justify going there.
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Re: Mideast laptop ban easing fast
As of July 17, Saudi Arabia Airlines is off the list, leaving only Royal Air Maroc, which has said it expects to be cleared soon, too.
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Re: World's tallest building proposed for Tokyo
The tallest building in the world AND the Pacific rim fault line don't go together. Not a combination to grab my attention.
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September 16, 2020: Camel cart in Rajasthan
DrFumblefinger shares some images of a camel pulling a cart. Camels are commonly seen and very useful in the desert areas of India.
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Qatar cleared to fly straight again
Saudi Arabia and Qatar have ended a diplomatic dispute that has forced Qatar Airways to fly complicated routes since 2017.
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Scariest roller-coaster set for Saudi Arabia
In a country only recently courting tourist dollars, a Six Flags theme park is growing, featuring a world-leading roller coaster.
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5 Major Places and Tourist Attractions in Palm Springs
Some of the most interesting attractions in Palm Springs for your consideration (sponsored content)
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Under the Tuscan Sun: My Fave Travel Film
There are a lot of great travel movies out there, but Samantha always enjoys watching Under the Tuscan Sun. It shows you that you can turn bad situations into good.
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Saudis relaunch tourism campaign
Saudi Arabia has big ambitions for tourism, and is pushing to rank among the top destinations. It's a long journey.
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Re: Saudis relaunch tourism campaign
I have no doubt that it will be a tough sell for Saudi Arabia to push itself into the top ten, especially given the issues for women in particular and for many others. However, the number of pilgrim visitors, either for Hajj or Umrah, was 9.5 million in 2019, the highest total, out of a total of 20 million visitors to the country, even though 'tourism' visas were not issued until late in the year. Obviously, some part of that is business travel or travel from neighboring countries, but it...
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Cruising: Best Options for the 55+ Club
Samantha shares some of the best cruises she found for those in the 55+ club. Happy sailing.
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