London was wonderful but I fell absolutely in love with Scotland😊Note: This blog is extra special because Im sharing my daughters' account of our trip on days 4 to 7. We just arrived back from our trip to the United Kingdom and I’m sharing our experience before and during the trip. We we’re lucky to have visited England and Scotland, and my sister-from-another-mother HG joined us in this trip and brought us to UK’s countryside which, by the way, is so amazing! So, to start off, here’s what we did to get UK Visitor Visa from Saudi Arabia. 1. Research, research. We found all the UK Visa- related information thru this LINK 2. Eligibility requirements – Checked! Our passports are valid for the whole duration of our planned visit to the UK. 3. Applied for UK Visa online and paid the applicable fees (2nd Feb 2022). We paid total of 133 USD for each applicant. You may use this LINK to apply for visitor visa.
The application process for a visitor visa to the United Kingdom is fairly simple and straightforward. Since we submitted all the requirements online, we were not asked to submit hard copies at the VFS anymore. We only had to go through fingerprinting protocol. It barely took two weeks from submitting our application online until our C- Type Multiple Entry UK Visa was issued on 22nd Feb 2022 which is valid for 6 months. Finding the best flight tickets from Riyadh to United Kingdom My husband and I used free reward miles from Saudi Airlines for this trip, so we only had to book flight tickets for our kids. To search and compare flight tickets, we always search thru the Skyscanner website, otherwise we book thru ACE Travel where one of our close friends work as a travel consultant. There are a lot of flight ticket options from Riyadh to London – the key is to book as early as you can to get the best bargain. Vacation mode on! We scheduled our trip during the Eid Al Ftir holiday in Saudi Arabia. Visiting United Kingdom for the first time is electrifying. I have hysterically put together a bucket list in my head and I could hardly wait to start packing. But planning a UK Itinerary can be overwhelming, especially that I had to consider hardly 9 days of travel. I was hoping to visit as many cities as possible and perhaps cover all the four (4) countries in the UK (it would be so nice to add all four to my growing list of 50 countries (goal) before I turn 50 y/o – but that’s for another blog). But looking at the UK map and actually considering how vast the UK is, I knew I just have to pick two (2) countries for now. So, there it is—England and Scotland in this trip. All the places I’ve been wanting to see plus all the people I wanted to meet with and of course, the many food I wanted to try. I got two months to plan the ultimate UK trip for my family.  Day 1. We arrived at Heathrow Airport at 6:45am and took the underground tube to King’s Cross. London’s transport system is very massive and convenient. We booked one night at King’s Cross Hotel which is very accessible to the train station. Since it was still early for check in, they kept our luggage for us, while we headed for breakfast in Central London. We got ourselves a Day Trip Ticket which can be used for all modes of transportation in London. More information about London transport system thru this LINK. In order to cover most of London’s tourist spots and must places to visit, we have booked a historical walking tour at the city center. Our tour guide’s name was Griffin. He was friendly and cheerful and had an American accent which was noticeable but nonetheless he delivered a fantastic tour. We started off from Covent Garden, walking all the way around central London through the homes of the Queen and Prince Charles, Buckingham and St James’s Palaces, the stunning Westminster Abbey which is the site of royal coronations, weddings, and funerals. We learned about Guy Fawkes and his attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament, looked up at the iconic Big Ben, Nelson’s Column on Trafalgar Square, heard about Winston Churchill outside the Churchill War Rooms, and strolled down the famous Horse Guards Parade.  Trafalgar Square is a public square in the City of Westminster, Central London, established in the early 19th century around the area formerly known as Charing Cross  As an added bonus, we saw some members of the royal family passed by in their well-guarded chariots too. We went back to the hotel to check in then went out again for lunch. We spent the rest of the day exploring around the central London, admiring the Tower of London, Tower and bridge, and the many amazing buildings at the south bank side of the city.  The Queen Victoria Memorial is located in front of Buckingham Palace and comprises the Dominion Gates (Canada Gate, Australia Gate and South and West Africa Gates), the Memorial Gardens and a vast central monument commemorating the death of Queen Victoria in 1901.  Taken at the Parliament Square Garden overlooking the newly re-constructed Big Ben of London.  The London Eye, or the Millennium Wheel, is a cantilevered observation wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames in London.  Tower Bridge is famous because it's London's most striking bridge thanks to its Neo-Gothic architecture and lifting central sections.  Tower Bridge is a Grade I listed combined bascule and suspension bridge in London, built between 1886 and 1894, Day 2. We were thrilled the next day waking up to bright blue skies. We spent the morning walking around King’s Cross district, Camden Town and Russel Square Gardens heading to the British Museum.  "Hello?, Coffee anyone?" Phonebooth turned Cafe at Russel Square. At 2pm, we we’re at King’s Cross Train Station for our 4.5H trip to Edinburgh thru LNER’s Azuma Train. The train ride from London to Edinburgh was smooth and enjoyable. Seated facing forward on the right side of the train gave us a very good view of the countryside on our way to Scotland. There were a lot of windmill farms, sheep herds, and rapeseed fields along the way. The ride over a distance of 332 miles (534 km) passed by rather quickly. It was drizzling when we reached Waverley Train Station at Edinburgh, Scotland. We checked in at Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh City Centre which was located just a few blocks from train station. Since it was raining quite heavily, we just had dinner at a nearby restaurant and we all signed off for the day.  Taken outside the Waverly Train Station in Edinburgh, Scotland Day 3. We were up early the next day ready to conquer the capital of Scotland. The buffet breakfast at the Holiday Inn was plentiful. We were blessed with a sunny day (though a bit of clouds here and there) which was rare in Scotland, as we were told. We had a quick breakfast on the way to our meet-up place for the tour. We had 3 hours to go about before the tour. On our way to the old town, I fell absolutely in love with Scotland. It was early morning and everyone we walk pass by in the street was smiling. From here on, I realized that the vibe was so different in London where most people are just straight (poker?)- faced or serious. In Edinburgh, it was different. Everyone was in friendly mood, ready to answer any question you might have. Then there’s the famed Royal Mile - nestled in between the shops, restaurants, bars, and pubs are closes, wynds and pends leading to hidden, tranquil gardens, striking views over the city and pubs and cafes just waiting to be revealed. Filled with fragments and artefacts of the past mixed with the contemporary, this is Old Edinburgh, blending adorably with the 21st century. Yet don’t get me started talking out the buildings at the Old Town! It was like someone has cut them from old history books and spread them over the famed Royal Mile. The area has a series of medieval streets, narrow paths and dead ends converging on both sides of it like a whole fishbone. And then there’s Edinburgh castle at the top for which we have booked a separate tour for, and the Camera Obscura at the Castlehill and so many others!  Our hearts were filled, and our minds overwhelmed even before the official tour started. We met our tour guide named Eva at 11:00. She’s a charming, pretty, witty lady who had a lot of funny and quirky stories to share about every little nook and building at the Old Town. We wandered up the Royal Mile (again) and Victoria Street, visiting St Giles Cathedral and some other major landmarks like Telfer Wall – part of the ancient Edinburgh fortification; Surgeons' Hall Museums; Mary Kings Close, the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street (where my family headed to right after the tour); Greyfriars Bobby's Statue – a tribute to self-sacrificing loyalty; Greyfriars Church – one of the oldest structures in the Old Town (1630); and many more. We also found out about William Wallace, and Grassmarket stories including that of Margaret (or Maggie) Dickson, and the stone of destiny. To say the least, just thinking about such abundance of attractions in this part of Edinburgh seemed very tiring already even before you start sightseeing.  Ending our tour up at Greyfriars Bobby's Statue, we decided to visit the National Museum of Scotland which is just across the (same) street. Most of the museums in the UK offer free entrance, though they rightly ask for donations. Surprisingly, the museum isn't just about Scottish history but covers different cultures and customs around the world plus natural wonders, art and design, science, and technology – all under one roof. It’s also a sweet little spot for one of Edinburgh’s hidden gems - a terrace with gorgeous views across Edinburgh with a little cafe perfect for afternoon tea or coffee.
 Inside the National Museum of Scotland  After a quick (late) lunch at Civerinos Slice (pizza, obviously), we headed up to the Edinburgh Castle for our next tour. Edinburgh Castle, which has been the subject of decades of conflict among Scots and Englishmen, today stands courageously as an emblem of Scotland and the crowning jewel of Edinburgh. We had lots of fun exploring and it was surprising to see how many different parts there were to it once we got inside. The animated events, immersive projections, and display of old-fashioned artefacts dug up from within the Castle were either intriguing or inspiring, mostly both.  It’s a cluster of buildings rather than just one big building. It is gorgeously kept, inside and out – not like the usual castle ruins. As per our guide, the royal family still use it today, although no longer as a residence.
Being one of the oldest fortified places in Europe with a rich and 900-year long history, it has been as a royal dwelling, military garrison, prison, and fortress. As we were leaving, I somehow felt that we rushed through our 3-hour tour and that there’s still so much to see inside the Edinburgh Castle. It was almost 7pm but the sky is still well lit.so we decided to walk down to the other end of the Royal Mile. We went inside St GIles Cathedral and checked out the story of Jenny Geddes.  Inside St Giles cathedral
We continued walking towards the Palace of Holyrood house which is Queen Elizabeth's official royal residence in the center of Edinburgh. Unfortunately, it was already closed when we reached the gate. We passed by the new Parliament Building (which, by the way, looks like an oddly placed structure in historical Edinburgh) and sat down along St Margaret's Loch which is a shallow man-made loch home to swans and ducks. It was peaceful looking over Salisbury Crags, admiring the stunning Scottish landscape after such a long, lovely day.  Scottish Parliament Building (new)  St Margaret's Loch is a man made loch to the side of the Queen's Drive in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh Scotland. Day 4. We checked out from Holiday Inn then took the nearby Tram heading to Ingliston, Scotland. We met Ms. HG who promised us an unforgettable trip to UK’s countryside. We packed our stuff onto her car and drove westside of Scotland. Our first stop was at 1:30pm at the viewpoint in Colintraive-Glendaruel, Tighnabruaich- a quaint little village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Next stop was at a small coffee shop at Holy Loch Marina before boarding on a ferry at Dunoon. We took another break at 1:30pm at the viewpoint in Colintraive-Glendaruel, Tighnabruaich- a quaint little village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. We reached Portavadie Marina at 2:30pm where we’ve finally met Becca Boo.   Sailing with Becca Boo BECCA BOO is a Sailing Vessel and is sailing under the flag of United Kingdom. Im not an expert on boats or sailing but I can say she is a medium-sized boat, approximately 10m long and 2 meters wide. First time seeing her at the marina, my first impression is that Becca Boo radiates elegance and sheer beauty. We had so much fun with Becca Boo. It was such a privilege sailing with Ms. HG from Portavadie to Tarbert and back on such a calm, sunny day. I wondered how our ancestors braved the waters during the ancient times over long journeys. I admire Ms. HG for being so accommodating and patient with us, teaching my husband and kids to navigate and maneuver Becca Boo enroute our destination. 
 We reached the southern shore of Tarbert at 4:30pm and parked Becca Boo at the harbor. Tarbert is a small, quiet fishing village in the western side of Scotland. It was a day after UK’s bank holiday, so the village center was extra quiet, and most shops were closed. We hiked up the hill along the shore of East Loch Tarbert to see the ruins of the Tarbert castle. The view of Scotland's west coast and the Welsh mountains from the top of the hill was spectacular.  
 The view from our self satering accommodation (Cottage #4) at Loch Fyne, Portavadie, Scotland We left Tarbert at 6pm and sailed towards Portavadie. We checked in at one of the self-catering accommodations at Loch Fyne. We stayed at Cottage No. 4 which was right in front of the marina. Everything in and about the cottage was perfect. The rooms are big, kitchen and living room are well-equipped. There's even a porch outside to either chill/ drink/ eat by the waterfront or simply enjoy the incredible panoramic views of the Loch. Day 5 (Accounted by Alia Daniele) On the fifth day we had an early first-class breakfast at the Loch Fyne Restaurant. We tried their Full Scottish breakfast with traditional Scottish “tattie” potato scones. We also had Smoked Haddocks and poached eggs which were fantastic. After strolling down by the marina and buying some souvenirs at the Loch Fyne shop, we checked out from the resort, hoping that our road trip would take us to Liverpool by afternoon. Our first stop was at Largs, Scotland along the west coast a few miles after Glasgow. Located on the Firth of Clyde, Largs is a charming Scottish seaside resort, complete with Victorian promenade and a handful of ice cream parlors and shops. The town is famed by its Vikings heritage having been on a battle in 1263 when the Vikings, attempting to land from a fleet of longboats, were repulsed by the army of Alexander III. We took photos alongside the Viking statues and tried their local ice cream too. Next stop for a chance to stretch our legs and grab a bite was at Tebay Farmshop Southbound in Orton, Cumbria, England. They offered fresh food from their own farms including cakes and pastries which we enjoyed at our hearts' delight. Arriving in Liverpool at 8pm we checked in at the Novotel - City Center hotel to be greeted by a very warm and friendly receptionist named Louise. We stayed at the hotel for a few minutes to rest and freshen up a bit. It was drizzling, but we still managed to take a stroll at the nearby waterfront. There were a lot of attractions in the city center and the walk towards the Liverpool waterfront turned out very entertaining than we expected. It's like a mixture of old and new worlds. There are so many tall and colorful modern glass made buildings and then there's a lot of ancient looking structures as well. As we approached the docks, proceeding to the Pier Head we came across many sculptures, buildings such as 3 Graces - Liver, Cunard, and Port of Liverpool Buildings and of course, the Mersey Ferry which were a feast for the eyes. Such wonderful architecture. There were plenty of other interesting structures, artifacts, and historical displays in the area, it was like walking in an open-air museum. Finally, we didn't miss taking photos with the bronze Beatles quartet statue before we headed back to our hotel for dinner. Day 6 (Accounted by Alia Daniele) On our sixth day in UK, we woke up to a rainy day in Liverpool, which was something I was happy and sad about because as a person coming from Saudi you don't get enough of rain, so it was kind of euphoric seeing rain (sometimes). We had a sumptuous buffet breakfast at Novotel, and we were definitely stuffed! We checked out at the hotel and continue our road trip towards Herefordshire which is a county in the West Midlands of England which is the hometown of Ms. HG. Our first stop was at the Cotebrook Shire Horse Centre in Tarporley, United Kingdom. According to Ms. HG, she had always wanted to visit the shire center herself but didn't get the chance to before. It was still raining hard, but we knew that we would not be passing along the same road during our trip, we decided to push through our visit to the shires. The friendly receptionist was kind enough to lend us huge umbrellas, so we won't get ourselves wet roaming around the farm. The Shire is a British breed of draught horse usually black, bay, or grey. It is a tall breed, and Shires have at various times held world records both for the largest horse and for the tallest horse. The shires we saw were rather cute having massive feet (or lower legs). We saw at least ten shires, two of them are studs. There were also other wild and farm animals inside the sanctuary like otters, red foxes (which btw were orange), red squirrels, a mother pig with her piglets, peacocks, deer and of course the cute fluffy white owl. Then there was a black and white cat that came to us and was really friendly; she insisted that we pet her and boy! She was soft and cute. After petting and trying to communicate with the horses (and cat) and while it was still raining, we went back to the shop onto the cafe inside and had a light snack. Coffee with cherry pie was great. We also tried their cheesy baked potato which was also good. We continued on our road trip and stopped by The Willeymoor Lock Tavern Canalside Tushingham Whitchurch Llangollen Canal. I had to google the name as it is impossible to remember. We had the chance to see how a narrow boat passes through a tiny canal. The (water) gate has to be locked (and opened on the other side) so water could be up to suitable level for the boat to pass by onto the river. Such a seemingly complicated process but definitely an interesting place to learn about canal history. Indeed, it has been a memorable experience having witnessed the very mechanics of how boatmen go through canal to reach the other side of the river. Complicated, yes, but was very cool and smart. We also got to know why some people live in their boats or why they like to sail. Our next stop was at the Iron Bridge which is a cast iron arch bridge that crosses the River Severn in Shropshire, England. The old bridge has been fully restored and people can easily pass through it for great views up and down the river. Opened in 1781, it was the first major bridge in the world to be made of cast iron and it has been a symbol of the Industrial Revolution in the world. Pretty spectacular for a bridge and it is worth visiting for a little bit of history. Our ride continued through Telford along the River Severn, passing by Wrekin Hill, and enjoying the sight of yellow rapeseed fields while listening to local stories from Ms. HG. Our next stop was at Bridgnorth, a small historical village sitting high on a sandstone cliff by the Severn Valley. We walked around town appreciating the colorful cherry and apple blossoms and a lot of flowering plants painting the rather quiet town with many different colors. The afternoon was well spent visiting Bridgnorth Castle, Cliff Railway Governor's House, Houses in the East and West Castle Street, Upton Cresset, Bridgnorth Town Hall, and St Leonard's Church (where Ms. HG' s parents wedding took place). It was getting dark while we drove towards Herefordshire. We had a hefty dinner at a local pub called Salwey Arms in Woofferton, Ludlow. They had wonderful, very delicious food in huge servings. After dinner we headed to Bodenham Forge for the night. Much like a secluded, self-catering accommodation, our apartment was very sophisticatedly decorated, and everything was perfectly clean. Interestingly, the place used to be an old stable and the owner turned it into housing right beside the river and in a farmland with a flock of sheep. The sound of flowing river, chirping birds, and playing squirrels and a lot of beautiful flowers added to a very memorable and relaxing stay. Day 7 (Accounted by Aisha Naomi) We had a good rest at Bodenham, and after breakfast at the cabin, we were ready for another lovely day at Hereford. We parked MS HG' s car near Waitrose, and we walked along the old market towards the Hereford Cathedral. There was some sort of carnival (or festival?) for families and quite a lot of people were strolling in the vibrant city center. We went inside the lovely Hereford Cathedral where we came to know a lot of history about the town and the people who used to inhabit the place. The cathedral grounds and the church itself looked very well maintained, holding all sorts of delights, both ancient and modern. The stained-glass windows are beautiful. It felt very serene inside, almost totally humbling. We lighted some candles and whispered our deepest prayers. It was such a blessing to reach this far part of the world together with my family and Ms. HG. We found The Yorkshire Wrap around the corner and decided to try their food. They served us tasty pork roast and turkey roast on gigantic Yorkshire pudding plates with cranberry sauce and apple sauce. We also tried their sausages and potato roast and vegetables which were delicious. We want back to the Bodenham Forge to take our luggage as we need to board the train back to London at 3pm. We passed by Gould Family's residence in Hereford to visit her mom and sister's family. It was heartwarming and fun. We had a quick chat before heading to the Milford Haven train station. We arrived in London around 7pm and because it was rush hour we decided to go directly to our hotel. We checked in at Belgrove Hotel around 9pm, freshened up a bit and then went out for dinner at a nearby Chinese restaurant called The Bamboo Inn. They served tasty dishes like spicy Szechuan chicken, and sweet and sour chicken which we enjoyed. The chicken fried rice was also good, and they provided a big serving - a perfect meal to cap off a long day. Day 8 (Accounted by Aisha Naomi) I waited long enough for this day to come. My parents promised us "shopping day" on the second to our last day in the UK. However, my sister probably was overly tired from our trip to the countryside, caught fever and colds, so she had to stay at the hotel to rest. So, I went with my parents for shopping in London. We went directly to Oxford Street which, according to several vlogs we've seen, is the shopping paradise in London. And boy we were not disappointed! All the brands you could think of has a branch at Oxford Street. We found Gap, River Island, Primark, X, and the UK's iconic department stores, including Selfridges, John Lewis & Partners, House of Fraser, and very massive Marks & Spencer. My parents shopped at Uniqlo, Sports Direct and Asics. I bought a few BTS albums from SOKOLAB. We went to the Theatre District to buy some Harry Potter souvenirs from the House of Spells. We ate Korean corndogs from Bunsik which was really popular among K-pop fans. My sister was feeling better during the late afternoon, so we picked her up from the hotel. We passed by the Piccadilly Square which was pretty crowded. We watch performers at the Leicester Square, tried Taiyaki ice cream and had a buffet late lunch in Chinatown. It was almost 6pm when we decided to go back to the hotel. On our way back, we passed by Samsung KX store in London (Coal Drops Yard, King's Cross) to ask for BTS photocards, which, as per our research are given for free. The walk going there from our hotel was really long and tiring but also well worth it. The staff were really nice and friendly, they even gave us extra packs of photocards. It was such a happy experience! Day 9 We were up at 6am to catch our flight from London to Riyadh at the Heathrow Airport. We took the direct train (underground tube) from Kings' Cross station to Heathrow through Piccadilly Line. We had a safe and smooth flight, we reached Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at 7pm. I have always believed that every place is worth visiting, and I wanted to find what it is that made the United Kingdom special. It's the people who are so different in every city, their rich history and culture that is both ancient and modern that makes it so amazing to see and experience. Im just so happy that I did my first UK trip with my family, and Ms. HG who is also family to us. Still, there's more to UK that I want to see, and I definitely would be back - very soon.
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Trip to the Farasan Islands Our next destination after Abha was the Farasan Islands where scuba diving, of course, should be the highlight of our trip. We didnt know anyone in the island. Unlike all our travels, there were no prior bookings made for our trip to Farasan islands. All we had relied to was googlemap and reviews/blogs from the internet.  We reached Jazan at 11am and we were directed to MACNA Office along King Fahad Road to get a boarding ticket for our cars. We were informed that the MACNA office will not be issuing car tickets anymore during the three Eid holidays. So we just booked round trip tickets for us passengers and we decided to join the queue for waiting cars. There were two lines at the port, we took our chance and waited with the others. We were also instructed to do the same on the opposite side so we can go back to Jazan after our Farasan trip. The procedures were smooth and organized at the Jazan port. The ferry left on time and a lot of border patrol authorities in uniform were roaming around to see everything in place. Taking photos is prohibited in all areas of the port and inside the the ferry too. While waiting for the ferry, we were lucky to meet Mohammed, owner of a new hotel in Farasan. He offered us to stay at his hotel which we gladly accepted. The ferry ride took exactly an hour and a half. We reached Farasan Island at 4pm and checked in at Rasil Hotel. We had a quick late lunch (or early dinner?!). The receptionist, Abdulkareem, was kind enough to share useful locations around Farasan, including public beach areas like Dana Park and Ghadeer Park where swimming is also allowed. Farasan islands is a group of islands off the coast of Jazan, southwestern part of Saudi Arabia. It is composed of more than 80 islands in which Farasan Island is the biggest, and only three are inhabited. We met several locals in the island and all of them were friendly, accommodating and helpful. It reminded me of our trip in Hulhumale, Maldives, where locals treat you with very warm hospitality as if you have been close friends for many years. Ah, this spirit of human kindness which amazes me all the time has been a reason why I enjoy travelling to new places. We rented tanks and weights from a small local water sports shop near the fish market in the Airport District along Prince Faisal Road. The shop name/signboard is written in Arabic which translates to Sailing Enjoyment - Sale and Rental of Diving and Swimming Equipment, Fishing Gear and Cruises. They also arrange boat trips/rentals and you can hire a DiveMaster from their team as well if you need one to go scuba diving with. Scuba Diving in Farasan Island We reached the jetty location early the next day, ready to go for scuba diving at the Farasan Islands. Although it is still the second day of Eid Al Ftr, there were a lot of small motor boats for hire in the area at 200 to 300 SAR per hour. We rented from an old, jolly local named Abu Reesh who was very friendly and patient with us. Imagine him not speaking English, and us, knowing very little Arabic, but we got along cheerfully well nonetheless.  Abu Reesh moored his boat near Qummah Island which is one of Farasan’s three inhabited islands. It gives you the feeling of the many islets in Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro- clear waters, white sands, wild birds, and scattered reefs of various sizes. Qummah dive site drop off point was 25ft, down to around 70-80ft. A sea turtle was passing by while we descended. The marine life count was extraordinarily plentiful. No wonder any diver who had dived at Farasan keeps coming back! A little far east side of the wall, we found an Eagle Ray glided infront of us with such gracefulness and magnanimity. There were a couple of stingrays, moray eels, lots huge travellies, jackfish and hamours of different varieties. Soft, purple corals were abundant, reminding me of the striking purple flowers of the jaracanda trees in Abha. And then the most amazing thing happened in our dive. At 45ft, Our Master Instructor, Raul, spotted a shark! We hastened to where he was pointing at and lo and behold, we found a resting huge lemon shark, sleeping soundly in the reef. He would have measured a bit more than three meters in length and there were two remoras attached to him for the free ride. We tried to move closest to the shark as much as we can without waking him up.  It was my first ever encounter with such a gentle giant in the wild at approximately just 2 feet away! We stayed for a while watching him in full awe and amazement. At that moment, my heart was dancing with joy and disbelief. Lemon sharks are considered near threatened species, and for me, to see one in a dive trip is just epic. My mind was filled with thoughts of how could I be so lucky to be right there beside him. I could see his gills opening and closing rhythmically with his every breath. My husband was filming me while I enjoyed every second of that experience. Seeing such a beautiful creature was indeed both a glorious and humbling at the same time. I could never be more grateful, Alhamdulillah!  We continued the rest if the dive elated with our shark encounter and just as we were slowly ascending to do our safety stop, a big school of barracudas encircled me and Eric! We both held our breaths for a second in disbelief. Being surrounded by hundreds of barracudas was absolutely bewildering! In my mind, I was like, “Oh Farasan, you definitely left me breathless!”.    When we surfaced after first dive, Ibrahim and Abu Reesh helped us back to the boat. The kids went snorkeling around the area. Also, it turned out that while we were diving, Abu Reesh was teaching the kids to catch fish using only a fish hook and a nylon cord. But just within less than an hour, they caught 10pcs if medium sized groupers. The old man steamed the fish and we enjoyed it hot and fresh from the sea.  Our next dive was close to Farasan Marine Sanctuary. It was mostly flat at around 30 to 40ft maximum with scattered reefs and a variety of different marine species popular in the Red Sea. We found sea turtles, stingrays, and a lot of gigantic groupers among other fish. It was a relaxing dive, not as exciting as the first one but certainly enjoyable too. A quick snack and a bit of snorkeling and we headed back to Farasan.  It was almost 1pm and the jetty was deserted. We were told that most locals do siesta during mid day to avoid the scorching heat outdoors. We returned the tanks and weights to the shop and bought our lunch from the nearby fish market before going back to the hotel.  We went out again at 6pm to explore Farasan Heritage Village, and the neighboring island of Humr. Then for a couple of hours more, we chilled out along the beach, infront of Ghadeer Park to enjoy the sand and the sea on our last night in the island. As we were leaving Farasan Island the next day, i wondered why we have put off such trip for so long. I remembered planning one since early 2012 but it has never pushed thru. Now I’m glad that I have finally dived at Farasan which covers Saudi Arabia’s most phenomenal share of the Red Sea - home to a great variety of marine species and magnificent underwater life. Next trip back will be sooner, for sure! PS: I know how hard it is to plan a trip when there’s only a little info available in the internet. So I’m sharing below information which may be useful for anyone who would like to visit Farasan Islands, divers and nondivers alike. Contact/Location Info for Farasan Trip MACNA Jazan Office - Car Booking/ Ferry Ticket 055 543 2124 https://goo.gl/maps/cSQQkAq4f8mittop8 Rasil Hotel - Farasan Island Mohammed - 0533987789/ 017 316 0005 https://goo.gl/maps/jKCPuakwGa7qyULa8 Jetty/ Boat Rental in Farasan Abu Reesh - 0507768320 https://goo.gl/maps/bfN9vtMkJ6JWgMsE7 Sailing Enjoyment Shop- Sale and Rental of Diving and Swimming Equipment, Fishing Gear, Boat Trips and Cruises 0542285482/ 0567673736 https://goo.gl/maps/GnoEXXbTSsWAVEn48 Farasan Island Port/ Car Booking for Ferry MACNA 055 543 2124 https://goo.gl/maps/fd3bHNrX2c4Uvk8X7 We left Riyadh at 6:30am on 11th May 2021. The roads were almost empty, probably since it was still the second to the last day of Ramadan. Our GPS was set to our hotel in Abha and expected travel time was almost 10hours. When we reached Bisha, one of the cars in our convoy had a mechanical trouble so we had to stop. Fortunately we found a group of Filipino mechanics at Aman Car shop along Prince Sultan Road. They were very accommodating and helpful. We hit the road again as soon as the car was fixed around 11pm. We reached our hotel in Abha a bit past 2am. We were up quite late the following day but we were prepared for a full day out in Abha. The spring weather felt very pleasant and welcoming. Our first stop was at the Al Soudah (Jebel Al Soudah) trail and view deck. It was almost 10am and there were already quite a few tourists in the site. The view from more than 3000 above sea level was astronomical. Hundreds of baboons were roaming around, seemingly enjoying the nice cool weather at the mountaintop.  Overlooking Asir Region from Saudi Arabia's highest peak at AlSoudah Mountain. ff to our next stop, Rojal district where Rijal Almaa historical village lies 45km west from the city of Abha. Bordered by Soudah Mountain, which is Saudi Arabia’s highest peak, the way to reach Rijal Alma’s was a huge challenge by itself. In fact this very road is listed amongst the most dangerous roads in the world- stiff, curvy, narrow with the sharpest turns I’ve ever seen in all my travels, but nonetheless it also has one of the most stunning views. Reaching Rijal Almaa safely after a nerve-wrecking drive was such a delight. The facade is very insta-worthy as my daughter puts it. We paid 20SAR each for the museum, strolled in and out of the forts and took pleasure of knowing about the significant role that this humble village played during the ancient times from trading, hunting and wars. Because our second day in Asir Region coincided with the last day of Ramadan, some tourists attractions were closed including Al Habala settlement, cable cars, and the Green Mountain, so it was a little disappointing. We then headed to Abu Kheyal Park to see the popular purple flowers of Jaracanda trees in Abha. The word ‘Jacaranda’ is believed to mean ‘fragrant’ in a native South American dialect, and the trees are known for their purple blossoms. Jacarandas bloom all over the city of Abha during Spring, offering stunning selfie backdrops, breathtaking views and probably a reminder that a new season has arrived. As the call for prayer marks the end of fasting, we found most restaurants closed in the city center, so we opted for a light meal instead at the AlRashid Mall which was near Ostrava Hotel where we were staying at.   The small village of Rijal Almaa (the town's name literally meaning “The Brightest Men”) will soon be UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most historically important villages in the Middle East. After a quick rest, we went to the High City in central Abha . Overlooking city lights, being surrounded by mountains, glowing stars in the sky, and feeling the cool, night air in Abha, all so peaceful and quiet, provides a soothing relief to any tired soul of a far city dweller like me. We were up early the following day, hoping to take photos of Jabal Soudah’s sea of clouds. We reached the peak at 7am and we found a rather thick fog. The wind felt cold at 16C. Since it was the day of Eid Al Ftr, most shops were closed, and people were gathered up in the mosques for Eid prayers. Even the streets were crowded with worshippers. We went back to the hotel for breakfast and shower.   Rojal district where Rijal Almaa historical village lies 45km west from the city of Abha. Bordered by Soudah Mountain, which is Saudi Arabia’s highest peak, the way to reach Rijal Alma’s was a huge challenge by itself. In fact this very road is listed amongst the most dangerous roads in the world- stiff, curvy, narrow with the sharpest turns I’ve ever seen in all my travels, but nonetheless it also has one of the most stunning views. Reaching Rijal Almaa safely after a nerve-wrecking drive was such a delight. The facade is very insta-worthy as my daughter puts it. We paid 20SAR each for the museum, strolled in and out of the forts and took pleasure of knowing about the significant role that this humble village played during the ancient times from trading, hunting and wars.  Friday, 19th March, we drove 30kms northwest of Riyadh towards Al Uyaynah village. It has been quite a while since we spent some time with our RDA diving buddies. We reached the Eye Park known in Arabic as Hadiqa AlAyoun by the locals at 8am. The park was empty, with only a few maintenance staff cleaning the area. Like most of the parks in Riyadh, the Eye Park is well maintained and clean. What makes it unique among others is that it is on top of a mountain with facilities provided for free.
We also joined the birthday celebration of Faith, daughter of Kuya Roden and Ate Maria who were amongst our very first friends in Riyadh. Imagine halo-halo and freshly grilled burgers at the mountain top?! Awesome!  At this time of the year before summer kicks off, being at the Eye Park has given us the best chance for clear mountain views, sunny skies and mild temperature. Since we arrived early at the place, we were able to take the best hut facing southeast overlooking the mountains surrounding Al Uyaynah and its main village. Our diver cum FPV enthusiast friends enjoyed flying their freestyle drones over the uniquely arid mountain landscape and sunny weather. It was also a delight to see big bikers following the trails around the valley.  Spending time with friends is one of the few pleasures in this life that costs us nothing but rewards us substantially. Im glad I had the chance to share a Friday with my diving buddies, and kuya Roden’s family though not underwater, but up in mountain park.  Trip to the North: Ocampo Fam Travels KSA Part 2 - The Sea, the Mountains and Roads of Tabuk We left Al Ula at half past 11am on 9th March. The drive from the small city of Al Ula to the quite popular Tabuk province of the north is simply breathtaking. It’s basically a long journey from the countryside, but then again there were miles and miles of desert sands before us until somehow it enters an area of outstanding geological wonders. The cliffs and rock formations along the way is absolutely spectacular in a variety of colors of red, brown, green, and grey, with highlights of glistening yellow as the sunlight hits them. Unlike the valleys in Al Ula, those surrounding Tabuk look stiff and pointed from the top, forming cones and triangular shapes of all sorts.  
Up early the following day, we drove far north of Tabuk for shore diving at the Gulf of Aqaba which is at the northern tip of the Red Sea. Good to know that the same coastline is divided (or shared) by Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. There were some incomprehensible arguments at the coastguard office, but finally we were allowed to dive at 11am. We had all the diving area for ourselves so we easily set up our tents, ready to enjoy the sun and the sea.
As per Eric and RDA’s account, the amazing visibility at Wasel site (King Abdullah Reef) was the best compared among all other parts of the Red Sea where we have done diving before. We thought the viz at Yanbu and Sharm El Sheikh were the topnotch, but this one beats them for sure. Sadly though, amidst colorful corals and epic viz, there were less fish and marine life in the site. Two dives at 135ft, an hour each at 15C water temp and we’ve ticked off Tabuk diving from our bucket list. We noticed a lot of signages and ongoing construction sites related to the $500B Neom project in the area. Neom is a highly ambitious planned cross-border city in the Tabuk Province of northwestern Saudi Arabia. We passed by another popular site - the Georgios G Shipwreck which is a 40-year-old Greek ship that got stranded near the city of Tabuk on the shore of Bir Al-Mashi in Haql.  Georgios G Shipwreck - a 40y/o half-sunken Greek ship (part of Neom project attractions)  The trip back to Tabuk City took us almost 3 hours, due to quite a lot of detour/ traffic in the highway. Visiting the Tabuk Castle was first on our list on our third day. It was an open museum and with free admission. We were the only visitors at the fort that morning so we enjoyed our self guided tour at the simple, yet picturesque architecture of the ancient castle which dated as far back 3500 BC though known origin was from year 1559.
 We had several other museums and landmarks on our list to visit but most of them were closed either for renovation or due to COVID restrictions. So we opted to head back northwest instead to see the popular Moses Well also known as Bir Al-Sa’idani in Bad’a. It is believed that Moses frequented this well and settled with his wife in this place after he was exiled from Egypt.
 Moses Well is also known as Bir Al-Sa’idani in Bad’a. It is believed that Moses frequented this well and settled with his wife in this place after he was exiled from Egypt. We then went to Madyan (or Midian), passing by the visitor center where the manager explained to us the historical significance of the areas surrounding Medyan and Maqna and how they are being protected and developed right now as valuable archeological parts of the Neom Project. As I have been interested and curious to know more about the Nabatean people and culture, visiting Madyan was definitely a plus to our tour. Also known as Mugha’ir Shu’ayb, Medyan is still mostly unknown compared to Jordan’s Petra and Al Ula’s Madain Salih, although it has some of the most beautiful monumental tombs typical of the architecture of the ancient Nabatean kingdom.  Inside the Madyan Visitor Center - a must quick stop for tourists to know what/where to go. The manager hardly speaks English but all the displays related to Neom Project and historical sites have English translations.  A mountain of tombs and ancient civilization  Necrological chambers believed to be dug by Nabatean tribes thousands of years ago.  What’s inside? Unlike the well organized Nabatean tombs in Hegra/ Madain Salih, the chambers in Madyan are still open for public viewing and visitors are allowed to see what’s inside them. After visiting the necropolis dug in the hillsides of the Jebel Mussalla, we drove farther west side on to Maqna (or Makna) to check out the springs on top of the Valley of Moses. It was a short trek up to the valley. Villagers say that Moses brought his people from Egypt through the Red Sea and when they asked him for water, they found the little springs where crystal clear water comes out of the ground in several places as if by magic. The spot is surrounded by beautiful palm trees and its water runs downhill towards a lush palm grove.  Springs of Moses on top of Maqna Valley. It was a short trek up to the valley. Villagers say that Moses brought his people from Egypt through the Red Sea and when they asked him for water, they found the little springs where crystal clear water comes out of the ground in several places as if by magic. The spot is surrounded by beautiful palm trees and its water runs downhill towards a lush palm grove.  No matter how high the temperature is, either summer or winter, water springs all day, all year round as if by magic on top of Maqna Valley.  Our location in Maqna showing Dahab, Egypt on the other side. Some years ago we did some dives in Dahab including the canyons and the infamous blue hole. It was already late afternoon and we decided to head back to the city. It was delightful and serene to watch the sun slowly setting down to the west, painting the sky orange and red, and the mountains glimmering of yellow and brown hues. A hearty meal among Filipino friends at Western Road Steak & Grill concluded our third night at Tabuk City. Our trip to the north of Saudi Arabia was a much needed break. With all the covid related restrictions since last year, our family hasn’t traveled as much as we used to. And after traveling to almost 50 countries around the world, it is indeed surprising to discover hidden jewels of history, culture, and amazing sea and landscapes that Saudi Arabia has - all within our reach. Certainly though, seeing and knowing more about Saudi Arabia - its rich history, culture, people, geological wonders and even its future plans like the Neom project, makes me feel proud and humbled at the same time. To most people around the world, Saudi Arabia may just be a sandpit, a mere land of desert and oil, but for me and my family, it has been our second home and I will forever be grateful for the opportunities and privileges that this kingdom has given me. Trip to the North: Ocampo Fam Travels KSA Part 1- Al Ula Journey We were due for annual vacation in Philippines but due to Covid restrictions, we decided to stay in Saudi Arabia and travel north/northwest of the kingdom instead. We left Riyadh on Saturday, 6th March, at 6:30am. Our gps was set to Al Ula showing 1,070 kms on a 10.15hrs travel time. The girls and I were mostly asleep half of the trip, waking up at pitstops along the way. My husband and our dear friend RDA shared driving. We had our quick lunch at a small park along Qassim Highway. It was a smooth road trip on a perfect sunny day.  Mandatory Signboard shot along Al Madinah Highway As we approach the northern part of Al Madinah province, we were amazed by the gorgeous landscape of crazy beautiful rock formations in the high desert extending for miles upon miles in every direction and passing numerous small towns, most of which still retain a strong indigenous presence. We reached Al Ula past 7pm and bought dinner from one of the local cafeterias. There were neither big or fancy restaurants in the area and it was rather dark and quiet. It kinda reminded me of my childhood in the province where we used to have dinner at 7pm and sleep early during night time. The next day, we were up early for our full day itinerary. We have booked our tour tickets online beforehand through www.experiencealula.com. We arrived at the Winter Park at 8:10am as we were asked to be at the bus 8:20am. First Tour: Hegra Tour including Hejaz Railway Station and Mada’in Salih Fee: 95SAR/Adult
Second Tour: Dadan and Jabal Al Ikmah Tour Fee: 60SAR
 3,500 year old inscriptions showing a glimpse of the life, culture and traditions of Nabatean tribe Third Tour: Elephant Rock Tour Free Admission/ Need prior booking Note that a confirmed reservation is required to enter the Elephant Rock site. We were allowed to get in only at exactly 6pm as mentioned in our passes.
In between tours, we grabbed coffee and quick bites at the Winter Park. There’s a Dunkin Donut branch and Burger King among few other local food stalls. We ended a long day with some local food from the city center. For our third day in Al Ula, we didn't schedule any pre-booked tours. We opted to drive around and discover more about the town by ourselves. We drove to the Maraya Concert Hall which is also known as Glass Building of Saudi but it was closed for renovation and we were not allowed in. We went to a citrus farm and the owner let us pick some orange and lemon fruits by ourselves. There were at least 10 different varieties of citrus in the farm and we had a blast picking and eating and of course we took a bagful home too.  We strolled around the town admiring the unique, mesmerizing rock formations enclosing Al Ula. We drove up to one of the highest peaks along Al Madinah highway overlooking Al Ula town. With the echo from surrounding valleys, the girls enjoyed shouting their hearts out calling their KPoP idols and altogether doing countless BTS chants. It was definitely surreal being so up close to the majestic rocks and actually touching, and climbing some.
On the fourth day, we got reservations for an early Al Ula Old Town Archeological Tour. We paid 70 SAR for each ticket. We took the bus at the Winter Park at 8:20am. It was a 1.5hr tour.
Personally, I could say that the tour of the Al Ula Old Town was the highlight of our “experiencealula” journey. Not only because I have always been fascinated by history itself but exploring the mud houses in the old town made me appreciate the jewel that Al Ula is, and how it echoes with stories of the past, civilizations of old age, revolution and war, religion and beliefs, slavery and freedom, arts, primeval architecture and culture.
The numerous gates surrounding the previously existent village and the 40 meter fortress opened our eyes to the secrets of how this little town has adapted to changing times and developing perspective around it - of life itself and Arab traditions that circles around hospitality, family and also survival. Sunny day with family @ Hidden Canyon Im not sure when my thing for canyons actually started. But I have always been fascinated with canyons, either underwater or in the ground or high upland. Last Friday, right after our usual biking routine at Wadi Hanifa, the #ocampers (lol i’ve just made that up to call Ocampo fam campers) headed a bit quite far down southern Riyadh to see the infamous hidden canyon. It was almost lunch time when we reached the area. We decided to park on the right side facing South. There were few vehicles already in the area and while we were fixing our picnic mat and whatnots, two more cars came in with at least three western families with kids.  There was no water in the canyons as it has not rained since almost a few weeks, but the wind was a bit cold. Quite disappointing though because we have seen photos in the net of how beautiful the canyons are when there’s water on it. What makes the Hidden Canyon special? Also known as Mawan Valley, the Hidden Canyon of Riyadh is considered to be one of the most important archaeological sites in Saudi Arabia. Located near the city of Ad-Dilam, not very far from the center of Riyadh, it is also a site of stunning natural beauty which cannot be seen from a distance but only by standing at its head unlike many other canyons that we see on our way out of Riyadh.
 The majestic view from the top of the hidden valley consists of two stone structures on both sides. The foundations of the wall were supported by high stone slabs while the wall itself is around 6 meters high or even more. The tower-like structures are conical in shape, with their centers open to the bottom, and they look like a cave without a roof. I was contented from staying on top watching my kids go deep down the canyon all the way down to the center where the deepest part is. I could imagine how in many million years back, this very same colossal landscape was underwater and slowly forming its now magnificent shape.  We spent a few more hours relaxing in our newly found spot outside the city. We also had a share of freshly cooked chicken biryani from our Indian friends. Taking one last look at the canyon before we leave the place, I somehow realized what makes a canyon special. Being such a vast, breathtaking spectacle as it is, a canyon is formed after many years of struggle from harsh environment and weather conditions - which I guess makes it a happy ending. Indeed, this not so “hidden” canyon with its stiff and stepped terraces, sandy bottom and scattering of smallholdings is worth the admiration.  I was browsing the net for some nice places to visit near Riyadh and I chanced upon Tumair or Tumayr where people say wild iris flowers bloom during spring time, for just a few hours between January to March. 6th Feb 2021 and off to Tumayr we went. We left at 10:20am with packed lunch, coffee and chips. It started raining midway so I didnt keep my hopes high. It was also my first time to drive north of Riyadh so I drove slowly. We reached Tumayr at 12:10pm.  From wikiloc, our landmark is a dam so when we found it, we parked nearby and walked around the area. The rain has stopped but it was still gloomy. We found the iris plants scattered in between weeds, rocks and thorny desert plants. The onion-like leaves were a bit plentiful. The area was wadi-like (same like the Wadi Hanifa -Irqah part where we bike). The pale lavender bulbs looked like small cocoons. I wondered if we’ll be lucky to see them bloom today.   We decided to explore a bit more around Tumayr since it was our first time to visit. We took some photos around town and had a quick lunch. Shortly after 1pm we decided to go near the dam area again hoping to see if the iris bloomed. It felt like the sun was teasing us, showing itself for a minute and then hiding behind the clouds. I thought the iris would bloom if only the sun could be more generous. Half past one, the field started to look lovelier. Finally the iris buds started opening to astonishing lavender and purple flowers. It was indeed a delight to see. It’s hard to imagine such beautiful flowers could grow out from mix sand and rocks amidst the harsh conditions of the desert. Some flowers opened up en masse while some remained closed until around 2pm. The sun was still not shining through and thinking it might rain again, we decided to leave a few minutes past 2. There were still some unopened irises, reminding me of how some beautiful things in life take their time to happen, of how patience always pays of.
The pandemic since last year has hindered us to go out and travel as much as we wanted to. This short trip to Tumayr has been a breath of fresh air. Hoping to visit more places locally while we’re still here in Saudi Arabia, our second home.  Flynn Reef, The Great Barrier Reef Off the coast of Cairns, Australia First Dive: 57Ft/45Mins Dive Sites: The Flats & Boulders Second Dive: 42Ft/47Mins Dive Site: Gordon's Mooring & Tennis Courts Awesome dives with #SILVERSWIFT though getting to the dive site was totally another story. Very rough seas (the roughest I have ever been to!). Diving the GBR post summertime is not for the faint of hearts😩 Great visibility! Saw lots of large pelagic fish, six graceful turtles in all, sting rays, eels, and schools of jacks and sweet lips. Unfortunately, around 90% of the corals are either bleached, discolored or dead. I don't think such a massive destruction is man-made though but still it is both alarming and disappointing. SILVERSWIFT crew and service far exceeded our expectation. They are very well organized, staff were friendly, polite, extremely helpful and considerate, especially most of the pssengers were sea sick (including me!😩😩). Snacks were plentiful and food choices for the lunch buffet were superb. A bit pricy compared to other GBR operators but definitely recommendable. The vessel was enormous and today almost half full at 46 slots filled out of its 85 capacity. At times during the travel to the reef, Silverswift hammered and pounded thru the giant waves, I felf and it certainly sounded like it would disassemble itself any moment 🤣. But boy that vessel was tough! We reached Flynn Site at the outer reef and did our two dives at different mooring areas. There were 18 divers grouped according to experience among 3 divemasters. The rest of the joiners snorkeled around the bay-like snorkel sites. We were back to Cairns at 4:30pm and the crew lined up outside to bid us goodbye. Finally, I could say that my dive trip to earth's largest reef structure was remarkable. The whole experience itself from preparation of this trip to surviving the jaggiest and bumpiest of sea ride to reach the great barrier reef was worth remembering. It may not be one of the best dives (or dive sites) I had over the last 8 yrs of diving but hey, it's a tick off my bucket list just the same☺️.   |
HappinessWhat makes me happy?
People. Everyone around me who believes and inspires me- my family, my husband, my two beautiful girls, my friends and colleagues. Life itself is a happy experience. The world is a happy place. I had my own share of struggles, life was not easy for us back then but my Dad taught me how to believe in myself, work hard , be kind and to be strong. He inspired me to go out of my comfort zone. He used to tell me that the possibilities in life are endless and so I believed him. l Iost him quite a few years ago but he has left me with so much inspiration to follow my dreams - to visit places I have only dreamt of or have seen in the movies when I was little and to do things I thought were only for the privileged few. Wherever I go, I always remember my Dad, wishing he could see me from afar and somehow be proud of me as I have always been so proud of him. Life is short and I promised him that I would make the most of mine. Travelling makes me happy and in all other things, I choose happiness. We all should- always.. Memen 
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