Tagged With "Arabia"

Great story, Bob!

No one spins a travel yarn quite like Robert Cranwell! Enjoyed this one. Podcast is worth listening to as well, everyone.

A familiar story when travelling in those countries we know little of. But the eagerness of the Police to put it right was assuring to others that follow. Perhaps we're not that well advanced. An interesting story and educational too.

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.

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.

That's an amazing story! I love that scene from Lawrence Of Arabia and can see why it'd make you wanna go.

Thats a fantastic perspective and life experience. Thanks for sharing that with us.

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".

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.

Very interesting two posts. They bring back memories of visits to Dharan and the Eastern Province in the 1990s.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

What a bureaucratic nightmare! I wonder if there are countries that make it harder to visit than this one?

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.

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.

Bob Cranwell shares a discussion and thoughts on the value of things using a memorable experience in Yemen.

One of the great luxury hotels of the worlds, the Burj Al Arab has become an iconic symbol of modern Dubai.

Sponsored content about a luxury hotel in Saudi Arabia.

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.

The tallest building in the world AND the Pacific rim fault line don't go together. Not a combination to grab my attention.

    Hopping a freighter isn’t what it used to be.  Which is to say it takes a great deal more planning and bother than the adventure of my imagination.  Maybe I could find a tramp freighter if hanging around in a...

By now, you should have had plenty of time to go through the application process and get your visa to visit Saudi Arabia. You are now ready to see the sites.

It is nearly impossible to visit Saudi Arabia. If you have a business there, you can travel on a business visa. If you are going to visit Mecca on a hajj (pilgrimage), you can get a visa. Otherwise, you have to be an invited guest of the government.

Do you love large resorts, with thousands of rooms and lots of amenities? A 10,000 room luxurious hotel complex is scheduled to open in 2017.