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Bloom in the Desert: A Day at the Yanbu Flower Festival.


Every March, the industrial city of Yanbu transforms into a vibrant canvas of colors. Hosted by the Royal Commission of Yanbu, the Flower and Garden Festival is a world-renowned event, famously holding two Guinness World Records for the largest carpet of flowers.

After years of missing out, I finally joined the Sanchari Jeddah travel group for a day trip to witness this floral wonder.

The Journey Begins

Our day started early at 6:30 AM at Silent Park, Jeddah. Despite a slight delay with the bus, the spirits of the travelers were high. We enjoyed a group breakfast in the park before our "Smiling Apple" bus—driven by a friendly young man and his son—arrived to whisk our group of 50 towards Yanbu.




The drive was far from boring. To break the ice, we split into four competitive teams: Team Taj Clinic, Team Al Baik, Team Ford, and Team Accountants for a spirited game of Antakshari (a singing medley). As we sang, the landscape shifted outside. We caught glimpses of the massive King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) and the futuristic Haramain Railway tracks running parallel to our route.



Dream Marina: Dancing on the Waves

Upon reaching Yanbu around 11:00 AM, our first stop wasn't the flowers, but the sea. We headed to Dreams Marina for a boat excursion.

While some of our group left for Friday (Jummah) prayers at a nearby mosque—where I was amused to find a local vendor selling fresh green chilies and gourds right in the courtyard—others began the first round of boat trips.

Our turn came after a quick chicken biryani lunch. We boarded the Jamal Al Bahar, a 35-foot speed boat powered by twin 250HP Yamaha engines. Skimming across the Red Sea to the beat of Malayalam hit songs was exhilarating! Our captain, a native of Beypore, Kerala, took us close to Yanbu 22, a massive tugboat used for guiding large ships. Watching the point where the inner harbor meets the vast Red Sea was a highlight that rivaled my best boating experiences in Kochi.

The Grand Floral Carpet

By late afternoon, we reached the Royal Commission area for the main event: The Flower Festival.

Even before entering the main gates, we were greeted by towering walls of flowers—cleverly arranged potted plants that created a vertical garden. Near the entrance stood the two proud Guinness World Record plaques from 2014 and 2017.

Inside, it was a different world:

  • Floral Hills: Rolling mounds of vibrant petals that looked like waves of color.

  • The Micro-Beauty: Thousands of tiny plants so densely packed that the greenery was invisible, leaving only a sea of blossoms.

  • Artificial Landscapes: Man-made streams and ponds that added a refreshing coolness to the air.







A Taste of Home and the Rush

Social media had made one particular stall famous: the Kulukki Sarbath (shaken lemonade) stand run by Malayalis. The crowd was so massive that people were clamoring for their drinks. We queued up for pineapple and mango sarbaths but eventually opted for a refund as the sun began to set and the queues showed no sign of moving!

We spent the remaining twilight hours exploring the amusement park and the bird and butterfly exhibitions. The sheer volume of visitors was a testament to the festival's popularity.

Heading Home

At 7:30 PM, as instructed by our admins, we gathered back at the bus. The return journey to Jeddah was a mix of quiet naps and a final prize distribution ceremony for the day's winners. We reached Jeddah late at night, tired but carrying the fragrance and colors of Yanbu in our memories.

Trip Highlights for ishabil.com:

  • Location: Yanbu Royal Commission (approx. 330km from Jeddah).

  • Must-Try: Speed boating at Dreams Marina.

  • Best Time to Visit: Mid-March (Check Royal Commission social media for exact dates).

  • Key Attraction: The Guinness Record-holding flower carpet.


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