"Saudi Arabia" by kalaika

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Kingdom view from Faisaliah

Kingdom Tower & The Lights of Riyadh

This is the view from another landmark, Al Faisaliah Tower. This picture was taken from a restaurant that sits near the top incased in a large gold ball, inside you dine as you take in this breathtaking view.

Kingdom Tower is perhaps the best shopping in Riyadh. In my opinion anyway...mainly due to the fact that it is a virtual haven for Westerners and women in general. They have "Ladies Only" floors which means the only place in Riyadh where you are permitted to actually try your potential purchases on in the store! Another haven from the Muttawa (or ... religious police) - you can check your abbayah in many shops and not worry about your hair being uncovered. The shops are North American in standard so you feel as if you are really somewhere other than the restricted Saudi Arabia, even if it is just for an hour or two!

Kingdom Tower also won the best architecturally structured buidling in the world in 2003. It is an awe inspiring site and it amazes me everytime I see it. The lights at night are beautiful.

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Al Faisaliah Tower

Al Faisaliah

Another great shopping experience in Riyadh! There are no ladies floors here but they do have dressing rooms located on most floors within a short distance of the shop. Most shop keepers, if you are nice, will let you take potential purchases to the dressing room without paying first.

Both of these structures are architecturally fascinating and are two of the largest in the world.

Be prepared to pay for the amazing view from the restaurant atop.... "The Globe" will set you back about 300-500SR depending upon your taste or roughly 200 CDN for a nice dinner. It's definately worth it however, every penny!

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Dir'iyyah Ruins

Dir'iyyah Ruins

Just outside Riyadh is the historic area of Dir'iyyah, the capital of the first Saudi state dating from the 18th century. This area has been restored and is open to visitors. The ruins are an amazing site and worth the visit.

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Murabbah Palace

The King's Palace

Murabbah Palace

Built by King Abdul Aziz in 1946 as a home and seat of government, this is a combination palace/fortress which is open Saturday to Wednesday from 8am to 2pm. The gardens are a must see, beautiful!

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Falcon Souq

A Falcon Souq

These amazingly swift creatures are highly regarded birds in the Middle East, as in other countries, and quite expensive!

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"Best price""

Baatha

In Baatha, a open air marketplace of souqs, they sell everything you could imagine... you will hear "Best Price, or same same" everywhere you go which made me chuckle the first time I went. You are expected to haggle for that 'best price' so be wary and offer at most 40% of what they are asking. Walk away continually and don't invest in anything with your heart. If you really want it, walk away, they will do anything they can to get you back. If they don't it probably isn't worth it. Buyer beware...and there is always another souq around the corner with another item (same, same) so don't fret. You'll eventually get it for close to your offer price - it just takes time so be prepared.

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Masmakh Fortress

The History of present day Saudi Arabia

Masmakh Fortress

The fort built of dried mud, is open Saturday to Wednesday from 7.30am to 1.30pm. A permit is required which can be obtained from the museum. This is the fortress which Abdul Aziz and his followers captured in 1902 and which begins the history of present-day Saudi Arabia. There is a well restored traditional majlis on the ground floor. The courtyard contains a well, which is still functional. The courtyard is surrounded by six painted doors which open into empty rooms. On the upper level, there are amazingly carved walls and three columns which support the wooden roof.

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Limo

The Saudi Limo

I have no idea why these "taxi's" are referred to as "Limo's" in the Kingdom, it's defintely not the North American standard we are used to calling Limo, however... the A/C works well and trust me ... this is one of the nice ones!! You can't complain, they get you where you are going and usually safely which is amazing in this driving crazed society. I'm glad women are not permitted to drive here, even if I could I would be terrified to get behind the wheel here. The Saudi drivers are absolutely psychotic and you would need to be aswell just to keep from being driven off the road!