On the Red Sea

Duba

Our general direction is: back to Riyadh. From there, we want to travel to the southwest of Saudi Arabia during the next stage.
But first we want to see “water” again and drive to Duba on the Red Sea.
Unfortunately, it is not very pleasant to stand by the sea in Saudi Arabia, as you are usually or at least often sent away by the coast guard, which we have already experienced in the Gulf of Aqaba.
We therefore spend two days in the urban area of Duba, where it is of course not quite as idyllic, but we are left in peace by the police, as Arabs are also camping here.

Duba is home to around 22,000 inhabitants.
“Duba” means “barge”, which also means that Duba is an old harbor town.
The town lies outside the NEOM project, but about 25 kilometers north of Duba the new NEOM port and industrial facility Oxagon.
The “King Abdul Aziz Fort”, which we can only see from the outside, was built in 1933.
Formerly the seat of the administration, it now serves as a museum.
Duba is a nice, clean town, but nothing more.
But we only came here to spend a few days by the sea again.

We stay in Duba for two days and get our household in order. Shopping, filling up with water and diesel.As it is still Ramadan, many Arabs stand on the beach with their vehicles in the evening, ceremoniously setting up their dinner, waiting nervously until the mosque gives the signal to break the fast at sunset and then enjoying their first meal since before sunrise.

Al Wajh

There are some idyllic bays on the way to Al-Wajh, but we turn back every time because all the idyllic bays are currently being built over with luxury vacation resorts.
However, we find a small stretch of beach where we have lunch and take a break – but we wouldn’t want to stay here overnight, because as soon as we arrive, the coastguard turns up again.
However, they leave us in peace, which can change as soon as the sun goes down.

Back to Al’Ula

After buying a new computer keyboard in Wajh, we head back inland and through the desert and mountains, back to Al’Ula.
Here we want to meet up with fellow travelers we haven’t seen for many years.

Tommy and Conny from Mantoco have been traveling in the Middle East and Africa for many years.
They are currently leading a tour group through the Middle East, which is why we have been in contact for some time.
And it is here in Al’Ula that our paths cross. As it’s Conny’s birthday today, there’s a delicious cake with vanilla pudding on the table. Thank you very much, it was lovely. Unfortunately, we can only stay together for one night, as the police send us away in the afternoon, giving reasons such as “this is a garen” (although there is a lot of garbage lying around from the locals), the area is “protected” and finally simply “you are not allowed to stand here”.
All resistance is futile, we have to leave and look for another place.

It’s obvious that it’s the rainy season here at the moment, because the sky is getting darker and darker.

Sculpture Park

Another short desert tour takes us to the sculpture park east of Al’Ula.
The track is mostly gravel, but there are also some tricky sandy fields.
We start another beautiful day with this fantastic view out of the window at breakfast.

The effects of the rainy season are also visible here. Some greenery and a few flowers in the arid zone.

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