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"home sweet home" a Riyadh Travel Page by TomorrowsAngel

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"home sweet home" a Riyadh Travel Page by TomorrowsAngel

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TomorrowsAngel    
chasing stars


Real Name: Bec
Lives In: Riyadh, SA
Member Since: Jun 21, 2003
VT Rank: 361

 

Page Views: 14,892            Last Visit to Riyadh: April, 2006      I Work Here

home sweet home

by TomorrowsAngel - last update: Apr 12, 2006

Medinna village @ Janadriyah Festival
I arrived in Riyadh on the 11th June 2002. My job is based in Riyadh for most of the year, but I've been lucky and got to spend the last 2 summers in Jeddah.
view out my window
Riyadh, today’s capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, emerged from the ruins of Hajr Al-Yamama city (ancient city dating back to the time of the Tasm and Judais tribes). The fortresses and castles built by these tribes were said to have existed until the beginning of the fourth Hijra (Islamic) century.
The name Ar-Riyadh (a plural of Rawdah in Arabic means orchard or green garden) hmmm.
old Riyadh (from Arriyadh.com)
Today, Riyadh is one of the fastest growing and most prosperous cities in the world. In less than half a century, its residents increased from 20,000 to approximately four million. (As in the WHOLE population of New Zealand).
Riyadh has an increasing number of high-tech glass, steel and concrete buildings, but ugly apartment buildings built in the 60s and 70s still feature heavily downtown.
Riyadh has all the standard chain hotels, large modern hospitals, plus the biggest airport in the world.
The centre of Riyadh - Al-Bathaa - is the oldest part of the city. Al Bathaa is home to the bus station, post office and batha souk.
Most of Riyadh's places to stay are near the bus station, as are the coffee shops and shwarma stands.

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Pros:"hussle and bustle of the souks"
Cons:"those young (and not so young) boyracers"
In A Nutshell:"disappear down in Baatha or grab a latte at Starbucks - the best of old and new reigns supreme"
TomorrowsAngel's Riyadh Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 3 - Photos: 3
 
Restaurants
Tips: 3 - Photos: 3
Hotels & Accommodations
 
NightlifeOff The Beaten Path
 
Tourist TrapsWarnings Or Dangers
 
TransportationLocal Customs
 
Packing ListsShopping
Tips: 8 - Photos: 8
 
Sports TravelGeneral Tips

TomorrowsAngel's Riyadh Travelogues
Title [Click to view]Travel YearPictures
Janadriyah Cultural Festival 2003January, 2003 8
Rawdah Khareem PicturesJanuary, 2003 8
Rawdah Khareem Camel PicturesJanuary, 2003 7
Downtown Riyadh- 7

Comments for TomorrowsAngel about Riyadh
Marisola Fri Jun 20, 2008 17:42 UTC
 What are you doing in Saudi? I loved my time in the Middle East! What a great experience!
hilal_jamali Mon Aug 13, 2007 15:56 UTC
 oh olaya steet is a very posh steet .With some beautiful shopping mall around it . I would love to hang out there .Specially the computer market where in u get latest gadgets but be ware of softland & binaries .Both sell china items as made in usa .
hjohnso4 Sun May 13, 2007 07:02 UTC
 Great insights and photos! A new job had me back in Riyadh - recent changes/construction are quite something.
alywang Thu Mar 29, 2007 09:32 UTC
 The Kingdom Tower looks so amazing!
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