Riyadh - Day 7- Sat., Nov. 19
Prince's Farm, Flight Out
This would be our last morning in
Riyadh. Our flight out, back to Dubai, would leave Riyadh's new
international airport around 3 PM. But first we looked forward to the tour
of Prince Sultan's working farm which he acquired in 1986 with intent to restore
and preserve it as a showpiece of Najdi architecture. As the project has
proceeded, he has come to find great enjoyment and satisfaction in the place and
hopes to one day make it his full time residence. It is called al-'Udhaibat.
The book that the Prince gave us, Back
to Earth; Adobe Building in Saudi Arabia, and which details the farm's
restoration, has now become even more precious.
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| Driving out from our
hotel to Wadi Hanifah, Keith gets this transitional photo of a new tract of
modern villas growing out of the barren desert on the edge of the booming
city of Riyadh. |
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| 2 |
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| We were invited to visit
this day Prince Sultan bin Salman's wadi "farm" home. This
handsome ancient door graces the entrance to the main building of the
estate. |
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| 3 |
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| This large meeting room
is used to host the many guests entertained by the Prince. Here, our
photographer and interpreter, Sherh, also appreciates the decor. |
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| 4 |
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| In the far corner is an
extensive collection of dalla (classic coffee pots) gracing the shelves over
this wijar or, coffee making hearth. |
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| 5 |
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| Ah! Upturned sword
blades. Keith has wondered why most Saudi emblems have blades curved
downward, while his old Army emblem had them up. Note the carved
patterns in the plaster. |
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| 6 |
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| Sherh, Peg, and Yusef,
relax for a moment with dates and coffee before Zahir's arrival, here in the
covered colonnade area facing the open central courtyard. |
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| 7 |
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| Beyond the pool, we note
the wind sock and learn there is a landing place for the Prince's small
ultralite aircraft. A few moments later we noticed a few gazelle blending in
on this ridge. |
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| 8 |
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| Architecture here stands
as a tribute to traditional Najdi style. With a small % added concrete and
some compression improves the durability of the bricks without losing the
heritage. |
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| 9 |
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| Terraced gardening takes
place in the old well draw ramp site where animals were once used to lift
the water pullied over wooden wheels. |
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| 10 |
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| Wonderful lines &
shadows are apparent in this thick solid well structure. Nearby another
structure is currently under construction to be utilized for additional
meeting rooms. |
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| 11 |
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| Part of the restoration
of the farm included importing soil to areas that had been excavated over
the years. There are now some 1500 date palms of 18 varieties on the
estate. |
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| 12 |
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| Keith and Sherh observe
the use of irrigation which is now pumped mechanically and distributed with
overhead sprinklers. Vegetables are grown in the protective shade of
the palms. |
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| 13 |
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| The additional room is an
inviting place to relax and visit. |
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| 14 |
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| The kitchen reflects the
primary color motif of traditional desert designs. |
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| 15 |
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| Decisions have been made
to use some water proofing preservative to enhance the life of the adobe
surfaces. |
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| 16 |
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| Peg thought a photo of
this well-used wheel barrow was in order. It must have tales to tell -
a tribute to workers & craftsmen. |
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| 17 |
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| The mosque south east of
the house is an altogether peaceful place to contemplate the richness of
this land and express one's thanks to Allah. Keith wonders if this could
have been one of the mosques he found here many years ago? |
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| 18 |
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| Zahir and Peg share a few
quiet moments as the visit nears its end. Words are inadequate but
feelings are shared by all without words - a reverend and fitting place as
we will soon try to express some parting words of gratitude &
friendship. |
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| 19 |
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| We have said our
good-byes and approach the gate to the outside and the rest of the world,
more than very grateful that we had this more than special experience. |
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| 20 |
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| Returning to the hotel
for checkout, we passed this modern complex reminding us of the many many
changes seen by Riyadh in 45 years. |
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| 21 |
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| Keith catches a few more
street scenes of the vast metropolis which Riyadh as become. |
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| 22 |
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| On the long drive north
to the airport, here is yet another (Peg chose this one as representative of
of Keith's persistent "shutter-bugging"). |
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| 23 |
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| We approach this check
point, some showers and the airport. We prepare to say good-bye to Yuseff.
He talks of coming to California. We hope he does. |
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| 24 |
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| Peg enjoyed the toilet zymology
at the airport and couldn't resist a photo. |
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| 25 |
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| Our Saudi Arabian
Airlines plane that will take us to Dubai in a short while. This will
be a much faster & more comfortable flight than Keith's recollection of
the old "Goonie Bird" flights. |
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| 26 |
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| As we take off, the huge
international airport shows a very large & modern facility - much in
contrast to Keith's memory of flying out of the old tiny airport in 1961. |
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| 27 |
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The
aerial view of new farmland on the edge of the desert as we leave the Riyadh
area. Soon there will only be patches of dunes showing through broken clouds
as we wing eastward.
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Words
fail us at this time when we try to express our appreciation and gratitude for
such a special visit to such a special place on the other side of the globe from
our usual home --- It is not just this special place and the memories, old &
new, that it now holds --- but the special people here that have welcomed us,
assisted us and taken us in to part of their lives. We thank you - Folks
of Riyadh - Folks of Al-Turath - The many individuals, too numerous to mention,
from Dignitaries to Hotel staff - We take with us warm memories of each of you -
& wish you all Peace and Contentment in your lives.
Peggy
& Keith
©2005
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