Diesel Fuel in Arabic

A new fuel tanker arrives on site and the newly appointed manager tells the Supervisor to ensure the tanker is clearly labelled:
"Diesel Fuel" in Arabic and "No Smoking " in Arabic........

Think Pink HOG ride, Bahrain, 2011

Here's video footage of the Think Pink, HOG ride in Bahrain last week. Uploaded here not only to promote the boys, but because there's some decent footage of the roads and buildings here in Bahrain. Well done and Keep it up boys:

Saudi Princess Interview with Piers Morgan

HH Princess Ameerah Al Taweel being interviewed on women's rights in Saudi Arabia by Piers Morgan on CNN:

Saudi Weekend Drivers

When people tell me the driving on the M25 is terrible/ terrifying/ impossible I can't quite work out what they're worried about. How about this? Pretty impressive by all accounts ...

Hilter & the Bahrain Grand Prix 2011

A parody and hopefully some light relief in a very stuck situation (the youbtube does contain swearing).

BTW, would someone please tell me why the international media still continue to call the Pearl Roundabout 'Pearl Square'? Sounds like some international conspiracy ...

Mecca's Metro MM

The city of Mecca has installed a rail system, known as 'Metro Mecca', using Chinese built trains with the aim of easing crowding for the approximately 2.5 million Hajj pilgrims who visit each year (the world's largest annual gathering of people).

During its first phase, Mecca Metro will link Mecca to Mina, Mount Arafat, and Muzdalifa, the holy sites visited by pilgrims retracing the steps of the Prophet Muhammad and Abraham {see wgaw: WHAT ARE THE OBLIGATIONS OF HAJJ?} 

One of the 12 lime green trains built to ease congestion of the 2.5 million pilgrims

According to the Associated Press the 18 km railway is currently only open to GCC nationals. Later in 2011, when the system becomes fully operational, non-GCC nationals will be able to ride the trains.

Men ride the newly opened Mecca Metro, November 2010

The US$2 billion rail system is currently operating at around 35 percent capacity; there are around 12 lime green trains, each of which can carry approx. 3,000 people. It is thought when the system is fully operational, later in 2011 around 500,000 pilgrims will be transported around Mecca using Metro Mecca.


Information and photos taken from the National Geographic, November 17, 2010

Hajj 1953 - transportation

The following photos, depicting the Hajj, are supposed to have been published in the National Geographic Magazine during 1953.

There's quite a few of them, so I've seperated them into various different topics and will post over the next week or so. This post deals with transportation:

 

Driving in Saudi - Ladies and Gents Lane

Death by Driving

With just about everyone I know having lost someone in a road accident in Saudi Arabia (and we live in Bahrain) it comes as no surprise to find out Saudi Arabia has one of the highest rates of road accident deaths in the world.

However, Saudi Arabia is not the only GCC country with high death rates; Oman, the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain have rates which are almost as high.  Bahrain, for example, a country with just 1 million inhabitants looses one person every other day through road accidents.  These are the only places in the world I've seen barriers installed across pavements as a matter of course to prevent people driving on them.

Someone once suggested the hideously bad driving might improve if it were labelled, 'A Jewish Plot to Kill Arabs'

Here's a great video which explains just how many thousands of people die each year on the roads in Saudi.  Thank you and congratulations to Ala’a al-Maktoum for making such a thought provoking piece and to SAUDI JEANS for bringing it to my attention:

Oh to Visit Bahrain, now that Winter's here

Today's blog posting is taken directly from Saturday's Gulf Daily News, the English language newspaper in Bahrain:

"Royal Caribbean International, a leading company in cruise tourism, has expressed dissatisfaction as its largest cruise ship, Brilliance of the Seas, docked at the Khalifa bin Salman Port yesterday.

Royal Caribbean officials said there was a big melee as taxi drivers rushed madly upon tourists as they reached the port's main gate. They demanded exorbitant fares ranging between $300 and $400 ~it takes 10 minutes~ to take them to Manama for shopping, reports Akhbar Al Khaleej.

Company administrative director Abdulaziz Al Oshban said more than 50 tourists went back to the ship and refused to visit Manama for fear of being exploited.

Bahrain-based company agent Ali Al Qaidi said the incident had created a bad impression about Bahrain, particularly after the captain and crew were denied entry to Bahrain like tourists, a common practice in all Gulf countries the ship had visited.

What made things worse was the way Culture and Information Ministry's Tourism Sector Under-Secretary Ahmed Al Nawakhida welcomed the management of the world's largest cruise tourism company, dressed casually in jeans and T-shirt, reflecting carelessness and indifference, adds Akhbar Al Khaleej.

Mr Smooth

Meet Gulzar, the infamous traffic attendant at Bahrain City Centre. Previously a member of the Pakistani army, he now directs traffic with a, 'Gulzar Bow' and a smile:




Update: 18th January, 2010
Having just returned from visiting Japan and China, Gulzar's bows now seem a wee bit tame. We saw various policemen and women, at many of the large junctions, carrying out what could only be described as a, 'dance form' whilst directing the traffic.

These are the Camels That Sunbathe

all say "aahhh"

Old Bahrain

Here are some more photos of old Bahrain:

F1 & an Aeroplane

This feels like a great Youtube video for the start of a new year:

Desert Rain: Floods in Jeddah

Last week saw lots of rain in the Gulf and floods in Jeddah. Someone was kind enough to send me these photos. Can't quite believe this is what Jeddah looked like after the rain. Here's a full news article

When I was a kid I was fascinated when I was informed most people died in the desert from the rain. Now maybe I now know where or why that happens. This place is usually full of sand and doesn't see rain from one year to the next.


Update, Saturday 5th Dec:
113 people have died in Jeddah, as a direct result of the rains last week. The Saudi media writes about it here





If you are in Jeddah and can help out with home suplies, food, school supplies, clothing, home appliances and/or money please call Miss Rasha Hifzi: 054 163 9486.

They also need people with 4 wheel drives to help deliver the items. If you can help with this please call Miss Sumaya: 050 551 7277.

More Saudi Driving

What to say except watch this You Tube video ...