Date: July 2018
Category: Destinations
After one of the best meals I’ve ever had in Saudi Arabia, I wasn’t ready for the day to end—and thankfully, neither was my host’s family. With the kind of ease and generosity that Al-Ahsa is known for, they planned an afternoon tour to show me the soul of their city.
We started with a drive through lush palm groves—Al-Ahsa is home to some of the largest date farms in the world. The greenery is almost surreal against the backdrop of the desert. I remember thinking: This must be what an oasis truly looks like.
Our next stop was Jawatha Park, a peaceful place full of local families, kids playing, and the scent of fresh food in the air. The park has a laid-back vibe that makes you want to sit under a palm tree and stay a while.
But the real surprise? The caves.
I hadn’t expected to find myself wandering through natural rock formations that looked like something straight out of a fantasy novel. Carved by time and wind, these caves are cool, quiet, and full of mystery—offering a kind of stillness you rarely experience in the desert. As I stepped further in, it felt like I had stumbled into another world entirely, hidden away from the sun and sand.
There’s even a local legend that one of the tales from One Thousand and One Nights was inspired by this very place. And honestly, I believe it. With the way the light filters in, casting shadows along the walls, and the echoes that follow your footsteps—it’s easy to imagine ancient stories being born here, whispered across generations.
On the way to the hotel, we made a quick stop that turned out to be a delicious detour: fresh Al-Hasawi red bread. Hot from the oven, rich in flavor, and slightly crisp on the edges—it was truly worth the wait. I’d never tasted anything quite like it.
He insisted I stay the night—said I couldn’t possibly leave Al-Ahsa without seeing the date farms. He even went out of his way to take me to his friend’s hotel and made sure I had a room for the night. His hospitality was so genuine, so heartfelt, that I couldn’t say no. I postponed my trip back another day, not knowing that what awaited me next would be just as unforgettable.
More on that in the next post.