My wife and children already boarded their flight back home, bringing an end to a beautiful two-and-a-half-month chapter here in Jeddah. Having my family by my side in Saudi Arabia has been one of the greatest desires of my life, and looking back at the memories we created, my heart is completely full.
Getting them here wasn't without its challenges. I had booked their tickets well in advance, eagerly counting down the days. But at the very last minute, SpiceJet threw a wrench in our plans by canceling the flight. It was incredibly stressful, and I was determined not to let it ruin our long-awaited reunion. I ended up spending a bit more money to secure tickets on a different airline, and thankfully, they arrived on the exact day we originally planned.
I have to express my deepest gratitude to the management at Taj Polyclinic, where I work. They were remarkably supportive, stepping in to provide us with comfortable accommodation and kindly adjusting my work schedule. Their help meant I could actually spend quality time with my family rather than just passing them by between shifts.
Here is a look back at the incredible journey we shared across this beautiful country.Spiritual Journeys: Makkah and Madinah
Our very first trip was to the holy city of Madinah. We traveled via the Haramain High-Speed Railway, and the sheer comfort and speed of that train made the journey itself a wonderful experience. Standing in Madinah was peaceful and spiritually uplifting. In total, we visited Madinah twice during their stay, alongside multiple deeply moving trips to Makkah.
For a change of scenery, we took to the mountains and visited the city of Taif. The cooler climate was a refreshing break. We explored the local museum, wandered through a beautiful strawberry park, visited the zoo, and took time to pray at several of the region's historically significant mosques.
Exploring the Heart and Soul of Jeddah
Since Jeddah was our home base, we dedicated several days to uncovering the city's best sights:
- Balad Heritage City: Walking through the narrow alleys of old Jeddah felt like stepping back in time. We admired the ancient coral-stone architecture, learned about the city's rich trading history, and visited the historic Chop-Square Mosque.
- The Floating Mosque: Praying at the beautiful mosque built directly over the waters of the Red Sea was an awe-inspiring experience.
- Marine Wonders: The kids were absolutely mesmerized by the aquarium. Getting up close to sharks, penguins, and countless colorful sea creatures was a massive highlight for them.
- Parks and Landmarks: We spent relaxed afternoons at Prince Majid Park, enjoyed the lush greenery by the lagoon, and stood in amazement watching the massive King Fahd's Water Fountain in Al Hamra shoot water high into the night sky.
Sunsets and Cycling at the Jeddah Waterfront
The Jeddah Corniche, or Waterfront, is easily one of the city's most spectacular features—a stunning 3.5-kilometer park stretching along the coast. We loved it so much that we visited two or three times, making sure to walk the entire length so we wouldn't miss a thing.
The memories made here are some of my favorites. We walked high up on the skywalk, stood on the sea bridge to watch breathtaking sunsets, and rented bicycles to ride along the dedicated cycle paths. And of course, no trip to the Corniche is complete without sitting right on the beach, listening to the crashing waves, and enjoying a delicious, crispy Al Baik meal together.
Coastal Adventures at Al Saif Beach
While the main waterfront is modern and bustling, our trip to Al Saif Beach offered a more rugged, adventurous vibe. The kids had a fantastic time splashing and playing in the ocean.
This area offered so many unique experiences. We explored the fascinating salt fields, where natural salt is piled up high like snowy white hills. We got to see camels up close, went horseback riding right along the shoreline, and the kids had an absolute blast driving the small beach buggies across the sand.
Celebrating Community, Culture, and Food
Beyond the tourist sights, we completely immersed ourselves in the vibrant expatriate community and local festivals:
- Sahityotsav Programs: We attended the cultural events for both the Mahjar Sector and Jeddah City. Seeing the kids participate and proudly win prizes brought so much joy to our family.
- Music and Sports: We went to LaLu Sounds’ Paadam Namukku Paadam (Let Us Sing) program, where we enjoyed listening to fresh, talented singers. We also attended the thrilling KMCC football final, and my daughter even got to walk out onto the ground holding a banner!
- MediaOne Hala Jeddah: We joined the second day of this massive mega-event. We saw familiar celebrity faces like the Udan Panam crew (Kallu) and Chef Pillai. The live musical performances by Shaan, Vidhu Prathap, Sithara, and Sayanora were spectacular. We even won several prizes from the Vijay and Nellara stalls and tasted a huge variety of amazing dishes from the food courts.
Malls, Marvels, and Saying Goodbye
Before they left, we made sure to do some serious walking (and window shopping!) through Jeddah’s massive, world-class malls. We explored the Red Sea Mall, Andalus Mall, Salam Mall, Jeddah Park Mall, and IKEA.
When the day finally came to say our goodbyes, even the airport was an adventure. They flew out of Jeddah's stunning new airport terminal, marveling at the massive, multi-story airport aquarium before catching their Oman Air flight back home via Muscat.
Two and a half months flew by in the blink of an eye. They returned home with a suitcase full of souvenirs, but more importantly, a lifetime of unforgettable memories from our time together in Saudi Arabia.
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