This past Friday was a day I will never forget. For many of us who live the expat life, living away from our home countries can sometimes feel lonely. We miss our old friends, our families, and the familiar places of our childhood. The daily routine of work can make us feel isolated. However, this isolation is often healed by the warmth of family gatherings. When relatives come together, the laughter and shared stories bring back the comfort of home. Last weekend, our regular family gathering turned into an unexpected road trip. This surprise adventure made the experience even sweeter and more memorable for all of us.
TRIP AT A GLANCE
Our exciting journey started in a small town called Asfan. Asfan is just a short, pleasant drive away from the busy city of Jeddah. The main reason we went there was to visit my cousin. He had just opened a brand-new shop, and we wanted to show our support and celebrate his new business success. We spent the morning talking, looking around the shop, and sharing our happy wishes with him. After spending some great time together, we all went to offer our Friday prayers, which we call Jummah. Once the prayers were over, a sudden spirit of adventure took over the whole family. Instead of driving back home to our usual routines, someone suggested exploring further. We all agreed! We decided to head toward the beautiful Wadi Marwani Dam.
The Scenic Drive Through the Desert Dunes
The journey from the shop to our new destination was highly exciting. The Wadi Marwani Dam is located about 40 kilometers from the town of Asfan. If you are traveling directly from the middle of Jeddah, it is roughly 125 kilometers away. This distance makes it a perfect choice for a half-day road trip with your loved ones.
The drive itself was a wonderful visual treat for everyone in the car. As our car moved forward, we found ourselves on beautiful winding roads. These roads showed us the many different moods of the deep desert. We navigated through gentle road slopes and rolling terrains. The landscape seemed to shift and change with every turn we took. One moment we were surrounded by flat sands, and the next moment, large hills appeared before us. We enjoyed the open spaces and the quiet beauty of nature until we finally saw the massive concrete structure of the dam rising up in the distance.
An Engineering Marvel: The Wadi Marwani Dam
When we arrived, we were shocked by the size of the structure. The Wadi Marwani Dam is an imposing feat of modern engineering. It is incredibly huge, stretching over half a kilometer in total length. Even more amazing is its height, as it towers over 100 meters high into the blue sky. Standing near it makes you realize how small we are compared to such massive human creations.
💡 ishabil fact
Did you know that the Wadi Marwani Dam is over 500 meters long and more than 100 meters high? It was built mainly to control sudden floods and to provide clean drinking water for the local region.
What surprised me the most during our visit was learning about the true purpose of this dam. When most people think of dams, they think of watering farm crops or creating electricity. However, this colossus was primarily built for flood control. In this region, heavy rains can cause dangerous flash floods that sweep quickly through the dry desert valleys, which are known as wadis. This giant dam stops the dangerous rush of water and protects the towns and villages downstream. In addition to safety, the trapped water is not wasted; it is carefully treated and utilized for drinking purposes for the local people.
We spent some time walking around and looking at the view. Standing within the perimeter of the dam, we noticed that the water level was quite low on that day. The water was sitting far beneath the high platform where we stood. Even though there was not a huge amount of water to see, the sheer scale of the concrete construction against the rough desert backdrop was completely breathtaking. It is a wonderful spot to take photos and think about how engineering can change a dry landscape.
Al Khuwar: A Hidden Oasis in the Mountains
After exploring the main dam area, we were ready to see more. We left the dam behind and drove further into the countryside. Soon, we entered a small, highly picturesque village called Al Khuwar. This village is tucked away between large, unique mountains. The mountains looked as if they were meticulously crafted by hand using layers of stacked stones. It was an amazing sight, and the village felt like a secret world hidden away from the rest of the busy province.
Walking Through the Green Fields
We found a safe spot, parked our car, and decided to explore the area on foot. We set off walking along a dusty trail that led into the heart of the valley. As we walked further, something amazing happened. The dry brown color of the desert suddenly gave way to a lush, vibrant green color. We could not believe our eyes! We found ourselves completely surrounded by thriving plantations and green farms.
It was like walking into a tropical paradise right in the middle of Saudi Arabia. We saw a wide variety of plants growing strongly in the soil. There were many types of green trees and local crops all around us:
- Fruit Trees: We saw beautiful trees growing Mango, Jackfruit, Papaya, and various sweet Citrus fruits.
- Local Crops: There were broad fields filled with green Ladyfinger plants, which many people call Okra, as well as rows of tall Maize.
- Tropical Vibes: Large clusters of healthy Banana trees were growing everywhere, and their big leaves swayed gently in the mountain breeze.
Walking through these narrow green corridors felt wonderful. As we moved along the path, we caught a distant view of the very front of the dam structure. Below the dam wall, the water that had been released earlier formed a beautiful, serene lake. The water looked calm and blue under the afternoon sun. However, as we walked closer, we felt a small pang of disappointment. We saw signs explaining that swimming was strictly prohibited for safety reasons. Even though we could not jump into the cool water, just looking at the beautiful lake was enough to make us happy.
😂 ishabil fun
We were so excited when we saw the beautiful lake water near the green plants! We almost ran to jump in for a swim, but then we saw the big 'No Swimming' sign. We had to stop quickly and satisfy ourselves by just taking selfies instead!
A Beautiful Taste of Home
Our long walk through the paths eventually led us to a special farm. This specific farm is frequently visited by members of the Malayali community who live and work in Saudi Arabia. As soon as we stepped onto the farm grounds, we were greeted by a lively and noisy flock of friendly goats. The animals were running around happily, which added a wonderful rustic charm to our visit.
The farm felt like a verdant sanctuary away from the dry heat. It was filled with beautiful Henna plants, fragrant lemon trees, and heavily laden banana stalks that were bending under the weight of growing fruit. For a wonderful moment, the hot, dry desert air disappeared. In its place, the air felt cool, fresh, and clean. Surrounded by all this rich greenery and the familiar earthy scent of the wet trees, something beautiful happened inside our hearts. It felt as though we had been transported straight back to our home state of Kerala.
For an expat, finding a place that reminds you of your homeland is a rare and precious gift. It was a much-needed, deeply comforting, and homely experience right in the middle of our long expat journey. We sat down under the shade of the trees, listened to the birds, and enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere for a long time. It made us forget all our work stress and filled our minds with pure peace.
Too soon, the sky began to change its colors. As the bright sun began to dip low toward the mountain horizon, we knew it was time to leave this peaceful paradise. We walked back to our car and started our long journey back to the city of Jeddah. Even though the weekend was coming to an end, we were not sad. We were carrying with us the deep peace of the village plantation, the fresh smell of the green fields, and the wonderful memories of a Friday afternoon well spent with family.
📌 ishabil tips
Distance: It is about 125 km from Jeddah, making it an easy drive.
Best Time to Visit: Choose Friday afternoons so you can enjoy a relaxed pace after your prayers.
Must-Do Activity: Make sure to explore the walking trails in Al Khuwar village to see the incredible hidden greenery.
Safety Notice: Please remember that swimming is strictly banned in the reservoir for your own safety!
Read my Saudi Arabia Chronicles
As an expat living here for years, I treat every weekend and break as an opportunity to discover the rich cultural heritage and incredible geography of Saudi Arabia.
- 📍 3-Day Southern Saudi Arabia Exploration Road Trip
- 📍 Madain Saleh (Hegra): Ancient Nabataean Architecture
- 📍 Al Baha: Walking Through the Misty Mountain Villages
- 📍 Yanbu Flower Show: A Vibrant Spectacle by the Coast
- 📍 Al Wahba Crater: Standing Next to the Volcanic Wonder
- 🕌 Holy Cities & Rail Experience:
- 🌹 Taif (The City of Roses Across 3 Perspectives):
- ⚓ Jeddah Diaries (My Home Base Highlights):
- Read my all travel stories
Welcome to my travel stories
Ikbal Valiyathodi is the founder of Ishabil.com, a travel blog sharing budget-friendly travel stories, stopover hacks, and real experiences from around the world. He believes travel should be simple, honest, and possible for everyone.
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