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wavelength · Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2015 8:48 pm Post subject: Bringing camping gear to KSA

I have this awesome foot long hand axe with tools built into the handle. I love this thing, have no where to store it, don't want to throw it out, and will use it one day on frontier land when I finally find it.

This may seem stupid to you, but I've carried this thing around with me (it's packed away in the far end of my luggage with the other camping gear) without incident.

Will it be a problem entering Saudi? (Yes, you could seriously hurt someone with it if you were inclined to.)

While we're on the subject, how about getting parcels through the mail? If I order something online, will it be searched when it goes across the border?

(Sorry for the double topic, but they seem related.)

nomad soul · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 11454 Location: The real world

water rat · Joined: 30 Aug 2014 Posts: 1098 Location: North Antarctica

I realize you didn't ask this, but it is what I thought of when I read your title question, and it "seems related", as you put it..

If you're interested in camping and hiking, you can hook up with those Hash House societies that they have in many countries. They are active in Riyadh, anyway. Most weekends expats of both sexes, meet in front of a hospital (many expats have careers in some aspect of medicine), decide who will go in which car since some arrive by taxi or cars not suitable for off-road desert runs, then they go out somewhere, leave the wheels behind and trek in the desert for several hours. It's a nice way to meet people, and see the countryside. Unless you're truly hardcore, you won't want to camp overnight on the edge of the Rub' al Khali (the empty quarter), and in any case you won't need your friend, Mr Axe. I went on half a dozen of these hashes before I got bored. One time there was a tree. Yes, just the one. I am going to guess it would be totally uncool for you to hack at it. It's not like you'll need to build a fire. It's going to be well over 40 centigrade when you are there. I'd say leave your axe with your grandma. She'll have more use for it than you will in Fair Araby.

wavelength · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2015 1:54 pm Post subject: Got it

wavelength · Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2015 3:05 pm Post subject:

I forgot to mention. Mr. Axe is the size of my right hand. It's really just a neat toy.

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

Can you not get kitchen knives in Saudi Arabia? Why would a mini ax make any difference?

wavelength · Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 12:33 am Post subject: Toy

plumpy nut · Joined: 12 Mar 2011 Posts: 1652

I mean why would the Saudis care about it at the airport?

wavelength · Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2015 9:10 am Post subject: I Don't Know

I don't know. I wouldn't, but then some countries are very strict about what you can bring in or take out. (Working on that photo...)

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

I imported a wood-axe in my luggage when travelling through Bahrain. It showed up on X-rays and caused some consternation. I did have the sense not to bring it in my hand luggage.