So the trip has begun.

An early start from Dubai had us traveling to Abu Dhabi with the morning commuters and then leaving them behind as we pushed on through 3 hours of excellent roads, but repetitive landscapes.

This end of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi mainly consists of Sabkha plains (The Sabkha is a translation of the Arabic word (سبخه), geologically referring to any form of flat salt-encrusted desert that usually lacks any significant plant cover due to the high concentration of salts and sediments where the level of groundwater is very low and may be zero in some locations.)

Not many interesting photo opportunities, so I limited myself to one…

There is a peninsula that juts out into the Gulf just before the border which leads to Ghagha island ( now a military area and not accessible) which I visited in past years, this area was much more interesting and great for camping, just by the way!

We arrived at the border around 1pm and …ok, I’ve left it to the very last moment to give our destination, some readers familiar with the region have already guessed where I’m heading…the border is entry to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

It might sound like a strange country to visit but early in 2023, when my blogging of my journey failed, I was just about to cross the border into Saudi for the first time as a tourist. I will be writing up that journey but suffice to say I found it a fascinating and interesting country.

The visa is issued for a year (90 days maximum stay per year, multiple entry) so we have until February to utilize the remainder. As we already travelled in southern Saudi, it’s time to hit the North and West.

We crossed at the Al Batha checkpoint. It’s painless leaving the UAE, all port systems are connected so all our details and that of the car are in the system.A quick chat with the immigration agent about our trip as he was quite fascinated to hear where we were going, a drive across the heavily barbed wired no-man’s land and as we had entered Saudi before in the car, it took 5 minutes to show our passports and visas to be entered into the system, we were stamped in and waved over for a customs check. (see note at the end, if you are interested in traveling to Saudi for further information)

Being of sane mind, we were not carrying anything that is illegal in the Kingdom, and I don’t think we have a “smuggler” look about us…quite hard to see me anyway, dressed in my abbaya and hijab!

Car insurance must be bought on the Saudi side before leaving the border port, so that done, we headed out onto the road heading for our first overnight stop in the town of Hofuf.

The very first change was the condition of the roads, rather a change from the pristine highways of the Emirates but hey-ho, onwards we go, pot hole watching! To be fair, the road North runs along the end of the Gulf and the same Sabhka conditions prevail along this coastline, in places to a greater degree.

The Dakar rally is happening during our visit and the road was full of the logistics vehicles, moving equipment, tyres, even a mobile hotel ( didn’t look like a 5 star one, I have to say!) One Dakar rally car, when we finally reached a petrol station, swung into the forecourt. We kept passing a trio of Harley bikers, seemed to fit into the whole motor theme…

We were both involved in desert rally events during my time in Dubai, the OH was very involved with the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge as Chief Marshall and Chief Pits Marshall at the F1in Abu Dhabi so there is keen interest in the ultimate event , the Dakar.

We are hoping to meet up with the rally route in a few days so will become Dakar watchers for a day… but I digress…the journey continued…

Now this route is a main route, used by Kuwaitis, Bahrainis and Qataris to travel to the UAE border, it also serves as a route to and from Riyadh to the border so we sailed past the first petrol station, confident of many more to come….Big mistake on our part!

Saudi roads are full of abandoned petrol stations, some recent, perhaps a result of the Covid lockdowns and some very old ruined ones, filled with drifting sand.

We had a little shock when the second tank started to flash empty , luckily the GPS and Google showed us the next one and we guessed that it would be a working one…slightly in trepidation as the kilometers matched what fuel was left…we hoped!

The turn for the Qatar border is on the coast. There was a very nice seaside park with a playground and cafes but we didn’t dare stop and waste any fuel…just caught a seaside sculpture of a pearl in shell, paying homage to the pearl fishing industry that was prevalent in these areas of the Gulf of Arabia in bygone times.

Finally we spluttered into the petrol station along with the Dakar car, filled up both tanks and headed off, won’t be making that mistake again on this trip!

Time to get to Hofuf, it had been a long day…

The road turns inland close to this point and runs through sand dunes, not huge but big enough to drift over the road, lots of “beware sand dunes”signs…bizarrely the dunes were mainly on the right side of the road.

Then finally Hofuf, which is one of the largest date producing areas in the world. The Date festival starts on the 18th January, sadly we will miss it.

We flashed past a couple of interesting Jebels ( mountains)on the way in, rising out of the desert landscape like eroded sentinels of the city, definitely to return to tomorrow!

A swift offload at the hotel, bathroom break and off to the delightful Topaz restaurant.Found on the very useful Trip advisor reviews it was a 5 minute drive from the hotel.A mix of Middle Eastern, Indian and some Western dishes, we opted for the mixed Tandoori grill plate. I think it was one of the best Tandoori I’ve ever eaten…will be returning tomorrow

A day exploring the sights of Hofuf tomorrow, I wonder what awaits us…

Route

Information

Saudi visa is applied for online at https://visa.visitsaudi.com/. Our visa was approved and returned with a couple of hours. Validity and cost information at the link.

Driving a car across: If it’s your car, car registration documents required, passport and visa. Car insurance bought at Saudi border, a variety of periods offered.

Recommendations

Accommodation in Hofuf: Lily hotel suites https://www.booking.com/hotel/sa/lily-suite.en-gb.html

Reasonable price, breakfast not included. Large comfortable rooms with all amenities.

As an option we visited the Al Koot Heritage hotel.This looked lovely if you want to have some character and spend a bit more money!

https://www.booking.com/hotel/sa/alkoot-heriatege.en-gb.html

Restaurant: Topaz Restaurant and Cafe https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g3238664-d6762399-Reviews-Topaz_Restaurant_Cafe-Al_Hofuf_Al_Ahsa_Eastern_Province.html

Unexpectedly great food.Recommend the Tandoori menu, lovely staff and great value.

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