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Years ago, when I was in Saudi Arabia, I had to visit many places as a part of my job. Those days I had been to places which are not familiar even to those who live in Saudi. Today I would like to tell my readers about some of these places which has awed me with its beauty.
Each journey would provide you with a different yet wonderful experience. The roads are never-ending and as you move on, you come to different places which makes feel fresh and happy.
It won’t be an exaggeration if I call these places the Ladakh of Saudi Arabia. Th place mesmerizes you with its beautiful roads and magnificent mountains. The region is so similar with our own Ladakh. It welcomes the visitors with open arms with its scenic beauty.
During my stay at Saudi, I used to start my journey through the Hekhal Road at 3 in the early morning. Since it was too early, the road would be free with very few vehicles. A Half an hour ride takes you straight to the Jeddah outer check-post. Travel another one and a half hour and soon you will reach Al Lith. I used to see many camels grazing on both sides of the Jizan road. Another familiar sight was a tent and flocks of sheep moving around.
I used to wonder about the people who lived in those tents with no facilities. The hot desert sand and the heat waves, I wonder how they lived their lives. It somehow reminds you of Benyamin’s book- ‘Aadujeevitham’. Those unfortunate people living in those broken tents and cursing their luck! they are also a part of your view while travelling through these roads.
Al Lith :
There is another check-post to cross before you reach Al Lith. Al Lith gets its name from the Valley of Leith, which is located at the east of it near Ghumayqah village. Al lith is a place which is situated 180km to the south west, from the holy city of Mecca. It extends to Hejaz mountains and Adham and Taif cities to the east and extends as far south as Al Qunfudah city.
In the olden days this region played a pivot role in sea trade. Ships from Jizan, Yemen and African coastal lands used to bring their goods to the harbor here before it was taken to other places for trade. Thus, it was a very important commercial region and now one of the most important sea ports of Saudi Arabia.
The Al Lith Beach is situated close to the international road Jeddah-Jizan Highway which connects Saudi to Yemen. It takes around 2 hours to reach this stunning beach from Jedda which is about 220km away.
Al Lith is the habitat of turtles, sharks and attractive coral reef. The region is a perfect diving spot; clear visibility, warm water throughout the year, stunning under-water sea life and corals.
As I leave behind Al Lith, it would be a bright morning and the only thing you notice is the vast desert that you find everywhere. Here and there you can find trees and sand dues which are a refreshing sight for the eyes and mind.
The toad to the left takes you to Omega and Ayaar and if we go straight we can reach Hekhal , Adham, Rbooa Alaean and Al Mohder.
The sort lamp posts and single roads resemble the ones we have in India. As you keep moving we can notice changes in the sand dunes. It is no longer the same color that we see at Al Lith. At some places these dunes look like salt fields and u move on you will find sand dunes of different colors such as brown, yellow and red.One of the major attractions of this place is the small roads that are not busy and good for driving. The sight of color changing dunes will delight every rider through this road.
Omega Hot Spring Water:
A 48km ride from al Lith will bring you to a place with natural hot spring known as Omega. Hot springs are produced when geothermal heated groundwater rises from the earth’s mantle. This hot spring has higher than bathing temperatures, so hot that one can’t keep touch the water for a longer time. I was left in awe when I saw this exclusive natural phenomenon. I found many people, both natives and foreigners either standing there or taking the spring water in their water bottles.
Hot springs are known for their high mineral content and medicinal properties. They are said to heal and give relief from skin diseases. We have such springs at Himachal too. The Omega spring flows down through the woods and rocks and we can see small fish in the clear fresh water. The place looks enchanting with its beautiful grassland. Modernism is yet to strike this place.
I continued my journey through the Thoriq road and turned towards the Hakkal road. The Sarawat Mountains ranges remind you of the Western Ghats in Kerala. This mountain ranges are spread over 3 nations; Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. These mountains lay parallel to the west coast of the Arabian Peninsula.
Soon the road divides into Rabu Aylen road and Al Mohler road. A 40km ride through the Al Mohler brings you to the Al Shafi Mointain pass. The road climbs up and down the ghat giving us a panoramic view of the place. The roads are narrow but clean. The ride turns adventurous with its steep climb and bends throughout the ghat.
As you ride uphill, one side has deep gorges and so we have to be very careful while driving. The rocks on the side looks as if they might fall any moment. So, one should drive carefully through this road. The movement of vehicles are painfully slow and need to press the horn at every bend. It is very difficult to give space for the vehicles coming the opposite side. This is an area which experiences landslides and rocks falling from the top. The road ahs many warning sign boards at every corner. The landscape looks scary from the top. Soon the road winds downhill for another 25km.
Soon we reach Taqeef town after riding downhill which is even more difficult than climbing up. But once we reach the plains, the journey looks exciting with single long roads which go straight and then bent to go down. Ut reminds you of the thrill you experience at Veegaland. It’s like a sudden fall from a height. This road is for those who love adventure.
This place is the habitat of a variety pf birds and animals. The monkeys commonly seen in the Thaif ranges, are found here in the valleys of Sarawat too. Tis is one of the few regions in Saudi Arabia, that experience regular rainfalls. I have experienced rain during most of my rides through this region. Tis is why the place has lush green pastures throughout the year. At times the roads get damaged due to landslides after constant rains.
We can see water cross in many parts of this area. They also have small reservoirs that collect the rain water. There is also a small river that flows down the hills.
The elegantly flowing river, the hills, the big rocks, the green trees and bush , the hairpin bend roads, the green fields and the flock of sheep grazing here and there; all present a pleasant and refreshing sight.
The terrace farming brings back memories of the same in Vattavada and Poombara. For a moment you wonder whether this is the same Saudi Arabia which is known for its deserts.
Almost all kinds of vegetables and fruits are grown here. There are many large farms that grow oranges, grapes and carrots. Each farm has their own wells, ponds and springs which provide the water needed for cultivation.
The sights are never ending. The place enchants you every time you make a visit
