Arrival in Ha’il Last October, I boarded the train north to Ha’il, not fully sure what to expect. I had expressed my interest in visiting the city and exploring the ancient rock art just outside its borders. What began as a simple LinkedIn connection quickly turned into one of the most meaningful trips of my […]
A Journey to Ha’il: Where Strangers Became Family Read More »
In June, I returned to King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) for the first time in over a decade. Back in 2012, when I was living in nearby Rabigh, we used to drive over just to grab a slice at the local Pizza Hut—simple memories that still make me smile. I was sad to learn it
A Return to KAEC: Quiet Beauty on the Red Sea Read More »
On my last trip to Jordan in April 2025, I found myself with a bit of free time and a curious spirit. While relaxing along the Dead Sea, I pulled out my phone, Googled “places to visit nearby,” and one name caught my attention—Bethany Beyond the Jordan. Within twenty minutes of my hotel, it felt
Walking Where History Was Made: My Visit to Bethany Beyond the Jordan Read More »
When I moved to Saudi Arabia back in 2012, I never thought I’d get a suit made here—especially not in Batha. I always assumed I had to go back to the States for proper tailoring. For years, that’s exactly what I did: waited until my visits home to get suits made or dress shirts tailored.
From Skeptic to Suit Fan: Discovering Excellence Tailor Plus in Batha, Riyadh Read More »
In May, I took a direct flight from Riyadh to Mumbai — just over four hours — and I was blown away. I’ve been to a few places in India, but Mumbai is hands down my favorite. I felt completely safe the entire time, the food was incredible, and it was surprisingly easy to get
Mumbai: The City That Never Sleeps – Just 4 Hours from Riyadh Read More »
I was first introduced to Al Afrah years ago, back when I was still new to Riyadh. Tucked away in Al Murabba, this breakfast spot has been serving locals for decades—and after just one visit, I understood why. Whenever I’ve been away from the city for a while, this is the place I find myself
Al Afrah – A Taste of Real Riyadh Mornings Read More »
Some friends mark the chapters of your life — and for me, Colby is one of those people. We met in September 2012, fresh off the plane and filled with wide-eyed wonder (and maybe a little bit of confusion) as we began our Saudi journey together. Over a decade later, we’re still catching up —
One of my favorite things to do on a weekend in Riyadh is to hop in the car and just drive — no strict plans, no itinerary, just the open road and the promise of discovery. A few weekends ago, I did just that and ended up somewhere truly special: Sufarrat Old City, a small
A Glimpse Into the Past: Exploring Sufarrat Old City Read More »
I’ve been living in Riyadh since 2015—and I genuinely thought I had a pretty good handle on the local food scene. That was until this week, when I finally walked into Figlbak for the very first time… and left wondering: how on earth did I not discover this gem sooner? Tucked into the city like
Figlbak: How Did I Miss This Place?! Read More »
Category: Places to Eat, Riyadh Date: April 21, 2025 This morning at 7 AM, I visited Qasmieh Al-Fawal Restaurant in Riyadh with my Jordanian friend, Firas. Even that early, the place was nearly full—always a good sign. The indoor dining area is small and cozy, seating about 20–30 people, with additional outdoor seating available for
A Taste of Jordan in Riyadh – Breakfast at Qasmieh Al-Fawal Read More »