Job Discussion Forums

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 2:48 pm Post subject:

U-LA!!!

NCTBA

EnglishDoYouSpeakIt · Joined: 19 May 2009 Posts: 151 Location: Saudi Arabia

I was stoked on seeing this thread, as I am posted there as well. A lot of these threads would benefit from some moderation. Three pages with no decent information, just a bunch of useless movie talk.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 4:43 pm Post subject:

Thank you for YOUR valuable contribution, poster. Rolling Eyes

Could it be possible that there are three "useless" pages because, there's really nothing to report on from this corner in the middle of nowhere in the saudi sandbox?

Do YOU have any direct questions that posters might answer?

black pot = black kettle...

NCTBA

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

lizziebennet · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 355

Hah hah you can sympathize with me! I'll let you all know how it is when we get there! If you ever come to visit Medan Selah or whatever it is then maybe you can drop by for some tea lol

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 7:32 pm Post subject:

The only reason that VS (and I...and certain others) can only sympathize with you and the others going there is that we've NEVER been posted in the middle of nowhere (maybe I am talking out of turn speaking for VS whilst speaking of myself!). We can only sympathize with you because...at least for me, I can't empathize with yer lot.

NCTBA

lazycomputerkids · Joined: 22 Sep 2009 Posts: 360 Location: Tabuk

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

snowsilver · Joined: 23 Jun 2009 Posts: 34

Just had the most wonderful cup of tea under a giant rock with a bedouin in Al'Ula last weekend. It is in the middle of nowhere, but my Zain card worked fine for internet, and compared to other spots in the Kingdom it is quite scenic. The airport will even be open soon, 4 months I think!

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 1:32 pm Post subject:

Yeah! But, I hear the only service will be between it and Bumf*ck, Egypt...

NCTBA

Bebsi · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958

The teenagers of Riyadh & Jeddah can be found driving around pretty Lihyanite, until well after Medanite in fact...as opposed to Al Ula where the town is pretty Dedanite.

Seriously, apart from Scot who obviously has visited Madain Saleh/Al Ula, how many posters have been there?

Al Ula is approximately 20 Km from Madain Saleh. It has two hotels: the ARAC (very pleasant, with good service and pretty decent food, lovely garden area but rather dark, dingy rooms) and the Hotel Madain Saleh (dismal food, mediocre service, but has a swimming pool). The former is more highly recommended.

Madain Saleh is indeed the sister city to Petra. I have visited both and can happily say that if you want to visit a real tourist trap, get ripped off and witness appalling cruelty to donkeys, then Petra is good.

If, on the other hand, you wish to see an historical site that is far more authentic because of its unspoilt state, along with lots of atmosphere but vey few tourists, then Madain Saleh is for you. As well as the antiquities, there's the lush oasis & old town of Al Ula, the old MS railway station (ghosts of TE Lawrence & his men abound) and some ancient cave drawings, not to mention the unique scenery & atmosphere of the Hejaz region, with its peculiar rock formations.

In terms of safety, there are quite a few police, whose well-intentioned idea of security is to make any 'stray' westerners join convoy with a whole busload of western tourists, accompanied by a couple of men in a squad car, thus increasing the risk, of course! The nuisance of having to do this (I didn't when I visited the place some years ago but I know people who did have to) is far more offputting than any terrorist threat, IMO. I also found the locals to be indifferent more than hositile, along the lines of 'hmmm, bloody tourists can be such a nuisance'. Attitudes were not helped by some western women choosing to walk around without abayas.

Madian Saleh is a fascinating place, combining a unique natural landscape with one of the most authentically historic places in the whole Arab world.

Go there.

johnslat · Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:04 pm Post subject:

Dear Bebsi,

Madain Saleh - I've been there. It's impressive alright. But Petra, now that's really something special.

Regards,
John

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

Bebsi · Joined: 07 Feb 2005 Posts: 958

Hi VS

Hope you're keeping well?

Certainly, the carvings at Petra are more ornate, and the Treasury and the Monastery are very impressive indeed, even after the 800-odd steps to the latter, but it was the offer of a donkey to get there despite my pretty hefty frame (well, OK, leave out the pretty LOL) that horrified me. That poor beast would've died the death by the 80th step, never mind the other 720!!

I visited Petra almost a decade ago, so things may have changed since then. And yes, while I didn't get ripped off, it wasn't for want of trying by the myriad hustlers. That being said, I haven't been to Egypt. People who have been and who know me, tell me that with my relatively low-tolerance of hustlers I should avoid Egypt at all costs Laughing

If you want an organized, tourist place with a good range of hotels (the Crowne Plaza was very nice) which can only have improved since 'my time', and with the usual tourist features, then of course Petra is the place to go. However, if you seek a more authentic experience, albeit with fewer services of course, then I'd suggest MS.

In a nutshell, they're both very impressive in their own way. And Jordan generally is a place well worth visiting, especially Ajloun, Kerak and Bethany.

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 7:53 am Post subject:

King Hussein, aye, it'll be a long time before there's another like him... His boy, Abdullah (with Queen Noor as his wife), tho, is well on his way of mimicing his Pa...a great choice in succession...

NCTBA