Quad Biking In Thumamah

One of the most popular outdoors activities for locals and expats alike is going out to the nearby desert for some quad biking. Quads, four wheelers, sand buggies, whatever you call them, it's always a blast to drive them! The best thing is women can also drive, even in an all-women groups.

The Thumamah sand dunes outside Riyadh are a popular place for renting quads on the weekends. There's a stretch of over 20 km next to the highway lined with quad bike rental places. They also have Saudi style tents with their own private yards for rent which wuld be ideal for families. There's camel riding, horse back riding and other desert activities to enjoy.

The rental guys will be helpful in choosing the best bike and showing how it works. If they see a group of women going out on their own sometimes they might come with you some distance in case you get stuck and need pushing help.

To reach Thumamah drive out of Riyadh toward the Janadriyah festival area, you will pass it and the King's farm on the left hand side of the road. Continue on this road and you will soon see the sand dunes on the left of the road. The rental places are on the side of the road and they are easy to spot with the bikes lined in rows.
The further you drive out on this road, the better. There are literally hundreds of rental places here. The further out of town you drive the less people there will be around and the prices become cheaper. The sand dunes have less trash and there's not as much disturbance.

When you see a nice spot just make a turn left to the dunes and drive to whichever rental place you like. It might be worth shopping around a bit for a better price. If you go on weekdays during daytime there will most likely be nobody else around. On the other hand weekend afternoons and evenings turn this place crazy busy, dusty and crowded!

 Prices will range according to bike size from 100-300 SAR an hour. You can choose a bike with gears (recommended) or an automatic one. There are even very small bikes available for the children to try safely. You will need to get one of the larger size bikes to be able to climb the steeper hills and venture out to the dunes.

 Bashing in the soft sand is really fun but can also be tricky. You need to be careful watching out for sudden steep hills, thorny bushes, holes and large pieces of trash.

Sometimes a nuisance for the female bikers are the "shabab". These Saudi men are curious and persistent and will sometimes follow unaccompanied women around. To avoid this it's best to go during daytime and to places further out away from the crowds. It would be advisable to have a male accompany you during weekends and the peak hours. I've noticed that if these men keep bothering you, the best way to send them off is to start taking their picture.

Look out for falcons which can often be seen hunting in this area.

 Everyone gets stuck every once in a while! The trick is to avoid driving too slowly, especially when going uphill! Don't stop the bike uphill, only on a flat area or slightly downhill. If you get stuck get off of the bike and try pushing the bike out slowly while giving a little it gas.

 Women can remove their abaya out in the desert if they so wish and it's actually much safer to drive without it! The abayas hems that might get stuck in the wheels and engine. I've managed to ruin three abayas like this! If you keep it on, make sure your abaya doesn't get tangled and burned from the hot engine.

Unfortunately many areas of the beautiful Thumamah sands are ruined with trash left behind by bikers and campers. Don't leave any trash behind and pick up any that you can!!

Top 13 Things To Do In Riyadh's Diplomatic Quarter In The Summer

This article was published in the Destination Riyadh July issue! Get your DR copy at Danube, SASCO gas stations, Whites Pharmacy and all the major hotel chains. For a full list of the locations check the Destination Riyadh Facebook page

Things To Do In DQ In The Summer

1. Enjoy a fun day at the wave pool. The Sports Club outdoor pool area is definitely one of Riyadh’s hidden gems. A large wave pool, children’s pools, water slides, sun chairs in a garden setting and a restaurant offering healthy meals and fresh juices. What more can you ask for? Ladies and men’s days separately, membership required to enter.

2. Take a long unwinding walk on the nature trail that encircles the diplomatic quarters. The track can be accessed from anywhere on the parameters of the DQ. Along the 20km of the track, enjoy the wildlife, the breathtaking scenery of Wadi Hanifa and the cooling breeze from the valley and take a rest at one of the numerous shady parks along the way.

3. Enjoy an outdoor breakfast at Kindy plaza. Sit in the shade next to the cooling fountains and choose from a variety of different breakfast places such as Kudu’s, Diet Center, Quiznos and House of Donuts. Seating is open singles and families alike. Children and teenagers enjoy bicycling, roller skating and rollerboarding around the spacious plaza.

4. Visit the Prince Salman Science Oasis located off circle 4 inside the Sports Club facilities. The center offers interesting and fun activities for children and is a learning experience for the entire family. During the summer the center organizes various science courses for children.

5. Wander around the beautifully designed and lush gardens of the diplomatic quarter. Each has a unique design, indigenous plants and flowers, rest places, shaded walkways and playgrounds for kids.  All parks have attractive fountains to cool you down.

6. Visit the luxurious women’s only center Manahil for a day of pampering. In addition to the plentiful spa and salon services, Manahil offers a design shop, restaurant, gym, indoor pool, dancing and swimming classes for children and adults.

7. Dine in a relaxed and open setting at the Italian restaurant Scalinis, located in the Fazari plaza. Delicious Italian meals, abaya free area and no reservations required.

8. Take your bike out on the walking trail for an amazing work out with the best scenery in Riyadh! Make use of the numerous exercise stations along the track. Women can bicycle her freely without having to worry about their abaya getting caught in the wheels.

9. Feast your eyes on the eclectic and fascinating architecture of the Diplomatic Quarter buildings. World renowned architects contributed to the diverse albeit unique architectural style faithful to the Najdi region. Be sure to check out the Cultural Palace, Tuwaiq Palace on the edge of Wadi Hanifa, the Fortress America,and Kindy Plaza mosque and surroundings. From the embassies special mention goes to the Japanese, Ethiopian, and Indonesian embassies and the official residences of Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria.

10. Play a game of football, basketball, cricket or any of your favorite sports at the Yamamah park located off circle 8. The park has a large and shady fountain area, various different children’s playgrounds, a large grass field, a soccer and basketball court, a mosque and a track perfect for walks and bicycling in the shade.

11. Enjoy the cooling breeze and fantastic views down to Wadi Hanifa with its hundreds of palm trees and historical Diriyah in the distance from the Annafel park. This park, located on the walking track close to Tuwaiq Kindergarten off circle 8 has three waterfalls and is the perfect place for a picnic!

12. Take horse riding lessons at the Al Aghar Equestrian club. The club also has a closed off poolside area available for renting by the hour, open to non members and families. Separate ladies and men’s days and family day is Friday.

13. Enjoy lunch or a refreshing drink on Riyadh’s only non- segregated outside terrace located on the plaza off circle 7. Choose your refreshments between Crepe World, Starbucks, Subway and Dunkin Donuts and sit under the cooling mists feeling worlds away from Riyadh’s hustle and bustle.

Riyadh Date Market-Dates Galore!

The date season is just around the corner and so is Ramadan, the month when Muslims consume the most dates during the whole year! Millions of Muslims all over the world will be breaking their fasts with a date or three. Dates are extremely healthy in so many ways, they deserve a post on their own just to explain all their amazing health benefits..For now I will tell you where to go in Riyadh for a real date fest! The Riyadh date market!

The Riyadh date and vegetable market also referred to as the date souk is located off exit 14 is THE place to go date-shopping!

Most of the dates at the market are sold by the kilo or by the box but you can always request a small portion and the vendors are happy to let you sample all the different varieties available. For a first timer it can all be really confusing, there's just so much variety.

 When dates turn yellow from the original green color they are called rutab. That's when they're really crunchy and a bit sour. This is the favorite kind of date of many but personally I prefer the sweeter and softer ones called sukari. After dates start ripening and changing color they're called tamr.

 Before I came to Saudi-Arabia, I never realized there were any other kind of dates than those brown ugly looking ones :)  Dates come not only in a rainbow of different colors, but they also vary in size, moisture, texture and sweetness. There are dates used for pure delicacy purposes, some are used to make juices, paste, flour and syrup.

There are dates available here all year round but the fresh dates begin to come into season in the summer when the dates ripen enough in the trees. You might have seen the date palms all over the city now have green fruits hanging from them and they're often covered with nets to protect from pests.

Visitors are welcome to sample the dates and some vendors will offer some Arabic coffee with them. Don't forget to haggle!

Directions: Heading South on the Eastern ring road, take exit 14 to the your right. Then take a right from the lights and continue on the service road until you get to the main entrance of the marketplace area. There is a huge vegetable and fruit market next to the date souk. The entrance to the date souk is on the left hand side, you can enter from any of the many gates on the side or the main entrance where the guards are sitting.This is where you can stop for some complimentary Arabic kahwa and of course, dates!!

Ten Pools In Riyadh To Cool Off In This Summer!

There's no doubt that summer is here to stay. It's getting hotter by the day with recorded temperatures reaching almost 50C! Lots of women are looking for swimming pools in Riyadh that could be used by females only. There aren't many olympic sized public swimming pools out there, but a few great options are available for those looking for a refreshing and cooling day out at the pool. Whether you're searching for an indoor or outdoor pool look no further!

This is my article from June's Women's Skills Bureau Newsletter "10 Ways To Cool Off In Riyadh"
The newsletter as a whole can be downloaded here.

Top Ten Swimming Pools In Riyadh

Summer is here and temperatures are expected to raise well above +40c daily for the next three months or so. What a better way to cool off than by spending a day at the pool! Here are ten swimming pools that women can use in Riyadh.

1.       The outdoor wave pool at Diplomatic Quarters Sport Club. The DQ Sports club outdoor and indoor pools have alternating days for women and men. The outdoor wave pool area is set in a beautiful garden and has water slides, kids pools and a restaurant. Membership required.

2.      Yibreen Spa outdoor pool. Located inside this secluded luxury spa, the pool and sun tanning/lounging area is accessible for members free of charge and with a fee for non members. The café offers healthy snacks and fresh fruit juices.

3.       Riyadh Golf Club Sports Gardens pools. A green oasis in the middle of the desert, the Golf club has plenty of outdoor activities for families including the outdoor pool, children’s pool, mini-golf, basketball and others. Membership required.

4.       Al Manahil ladies spa in the Diplomatic Quarter has a large indoor pool accessible for non members and by single payment. Modest swimwear required. Swimming classes for children and adults.

5.       Al Luthan women’s only Hotel and Spa has a beautiful indoor pool and also offers aqua fitness classes.

6.       Al Aghar Equestrian Club inside the Diplomatic Quarters has a private pool area that can be rented by the hour. Separate ladies/men’s days, Fridays are family day.

7.       Dirab Golf & Country Club located 44km outside Riyadh is a wonderful haven outside the hustle and bustle of the city. Two outdoor pools and also horseback riding available for ladies, abaya free zone.

8.       Al Multaka Ladies Center. In addition to an indoor pool,  AlMultaka offers a spa and beauty salon, library, shops and a restaurant.

9.       Many of the private hospitals in Riyadh have women only pools and offer classes with female instructors. Check out Obaid, Hammadi and Specialized Medical Center pools.

10.   For family pool time or pool parties, the area around exit 8 and 9 is lined with istiraha’s (small private resort) that can be rented per day for the whole family to enjoy or many families can rent one and share the costs. Fantasy Land, Yamama Resort and Splash Waterpark have aquaparks open to children only but they also offer private villas with small pools.

P.S For men I would recommend the Intercontinental hotel outdoor pools (men and children only) and Ritz Carlton indoor pool (men only)

Lake Kharrarah Park And Hifna Waterfall

Please do not use any of the images on this post without permission, thank you!

This article also appears on Destination Riyadh June 2013 Issue!

Lake Kharrarah Park and Hifna Waterfall

A lake and a waterfall in Saudi Arabia? Yes! Believe it or not such gems do exist and of all places, in the middle of the desert. The magnificent red sand dunes outside Riyadh’s city limits hide this surprising secret little known to the expat community.

Amidst the endless ocean of sand dunes lies “Lake Kharrarah” National Park. The valley actually transforms into an actual lake only after the heavy rains. The massive surge of water rushes down the steep dunes into the valley below forming a lake which at times can be deep enough to swim in. When there’s no water the lake bed becomes an unexpected contrast to the surrounding red sand dunes.   The valley becomes a pleasantly green pasture where migratory birds and other wildlife can be spotted, especially in early spring when the lake bed is in full bloom.

Kharrarah Park is popular among locals for picnics, dune bashing, sand boarding and dune buggy riding. On weekdays the park is practically empty of visitors while on weekends larger crowds gather in the afternoons especially in the cooler months.  Most people come to the area with SUV’s and other vehicles compatible for the desert.  However normal cars are able to reach the edges of the park because it’s paved almost all the way down to the lake bed. The best places will only be accessible with a 4x4 though.

The lake bed makes for a picturesque picnic spot, acacia trees surround the edges and the deeper end has more lush vegetation year round.  The waterfalls can be found after a short drive along side of the lake. Water gushing down from the arid sand dunes is truly a sight to behold for those lucky enough to witness it.

The red sand dune area is huge; they seem to continue endlessly to the horizon billowing like a mass of waves.

The scenery becomes even more astonishing in the afternoons and cloudy days when the shadows begin to color the dunes in a multitude of colors.  It’s worth exploring this area further beyond the fenced lake bed valley. There’s a paved road that goes behind the dunes around to the other end of the lake. There are numerous off road spots that can be explored with a 4x4 from here.

Climbing the dunes by foot is certainly a strenuous effort, but well worth the struggle. Going up is a great exercise too!  The views from the top of the highest dunes are spectacular. On a clear day you can see all the way to the Tuwaiq escarpment and the farms far out in the valley.

Coming down the dunes is the most fun part! Some people run, roll, jump, or slide down the soft sand on various items. Special sand boards can be used the same way as snow boards would to ski down the hills.

Taking a car out to the dunes needs an experienced driver; getting stuck is a common occurrence even among the more experienced drivers. The tires should be deflated before entering the soft sand and a sand shovel and ladder will be essential in getting the stuck cars out of the sand.  Luckily there will always be friendly locals around ready to lend a helping hand!

To get to the Khararrah park from Riyadh take the Makkah highway west (route 40) proceed passing the check point and follow the road down the escarpment.  Continue on this road passing the exit to Dirab and Dhurma until you reach exit 7 Jau, take the exit and make a U-turn. You are now headed back towards Riyadh and will take the first service road on the right, then you’ll pass by a pink gas station called ZamZam gas station.

After the sign in English and Arabic for Kharrarah Park, turn right onto a road in rather poor condition. This road becomes a Tarmac road after a few hundred meters and then passes by some camel farms circling its way into the dune area. As the road winds up and takes a sharp turn to the right about 4 km from the main road, you’ll see a small white mosque on the right side of the road. The entrance to the lake valley is directly opposite from the mosque.

GPS co ordinates for Lake Kharrarah: 24° 24' 20.63" N 46° 14' 43.45" E

The pics on this post with the lake filled with water were taken on 3rd of May. The water was so deep people were swimming and paddling around the lake in various makeshift boats. it's recommended to go there extremely early on weekends because it gets very crowded, noisy and dusty in the afternoons.