Two days in Taif, Saudi Arabia
Cruising to Taif: A Journey Through dry mountains, and Saudi Hospitality
As we said farewell to the holy city of Makkah, we called for an Uber to go to Taif, and as we hopped into the back seat, we were greeted by the cheerful, jovial voice of our driver - a young man from Taif in Saudi Arabia. He was thrilled that he got a fare back to Taif where he was from. He was in high spirits as we set off on our journey. With a broad grin, he turned to us and asked, "Where are you two visiting from?" We replied that we were visiting from the land down under, Australia. He kept referring to us as Americans after that.
Just before we got in the car, I couldn't resist playfully teasing the driver with a joke, utilizing the help of Google Translator. I quipped, "You seem too friendly, I hope you're not a serial killer!"
Jabal Dakka, Taif
To our surprise, the driver took my joke seriously and, with a look of genuine concern, hugged and kissed us both. He quickly called his friend on the phone and put us on the line, eager to prove to us that he was just a friendly, harmless young man. His friend, who spoke excellent English, chatted with us and explained that the driver was simply excited to meet "American" travellers and was eager to show us the hospitality of the Saudi people. We explained that it was only a joke that got lost in translation and we all laughed at the miscommunication. We couldn't help but feel grateful for the unexpected connection we had made with two strangers from a different part of the world. The rest of our journey was filled with laughter and light-hearted conversation, and we felt grateful for the reminder that a simple joke can sometimes lead to the most meaningful of experiences.
The journey to Taif from Makkah was an adventure itself, surrounded by dry mountains and barren sandy landscapes. As the winding roads passed by quaint villages and ruins, breathtaking views left us in awe.
Uncovering the motivation behind trip to taif
"Arrival at Naveed's abode in Taif! But who is Naveed, you ask? He was my soon-to-be family member then, and Taif is where he lives and works. A wonderful young lad. He is family now as he got married to Sana, my sister in law. But why did we find ourselves on this journey to this Oasis known as Taif and at his place? Simply put, we were ordered by my sister-in-law Sana, who deemed it necessary for us to be shown around Taif by none other than her fiancé Naveed. So we did not have a choice. Did we? And it goes without saying that Taif was on my bucket list too.
Naveed was the epitome of hospitality. From arranging the cosy accommodation to taking us on a tour of Taif, he went above and beyond to make us feel at home. And the cherry on top? He greeted us with the divine feast of heavenly camel meat. Every bite was like a burst of flavour, exploding in our mouths with a symphony of savoury, rich and mouth-watering goodness. We were left awestruck by the deliciousness of this heavenly dish.
A bad selfie with charismatic Naveed taken atop Jabal Dakka, Taif
Little Intro
Nestled in the mountains of Saudi Arabia lies the bustling city of Taif, where the traditional and modern meet in a harmonious blend. From its vibrant souks and lively streets, Taif offers a dynamic urban experience that delights the senses. With its rich cultural heritage there is always something new to discover in this vibrant city.
things we didn't do in 2 days
As you might already know, this adventure to Saudi was a spur-of-the-moment decision, so we didn't plan anything. It was Ramadan and not exactly the most recommended time to come, with so many things closed. But hey, we're not ones to shy away from a challenge. We loved everything on this trip but missed out on few experiences. But that's just one more reason to come back and experience this incredible country again. So here are the things below we are coming back for but who knows what surprises lie in store for us next time!
Shubra Palace is a royal palace in Taif, Saudi Arabia. It was one of the royal residences until 1995 when it was transformed into a museum.
King Abdul Aziz Palace With an estimated area of 14,900 square meters, the palace is almost 185 km from Taif to the east.
Breezes Cafe Ash Shafa is beautiful little cafe that offers stunning views at Ash Shafa. We could not go there as Naveed who was showing us around there, had dinner planned for us. But I saved the location as I would return one day. Click here for the location.
Al Kar Tourist Village was closed because it was Ramadan.
Saying goodbye and a funny incident
We were going to head to Madinah, the next morning and the quickest way to get there was by air. So, we headed to the Taif airport to buy our plane tickets. As we approached the entrance, a police officer stopped us and asked to see our IDs. He wanted to know where we were from, and I told him I was from Australia. Expecting him to know where it was, I was surprised when he replied, "Australia where?" with a confused look on his face. I thought I'd clear things up and told him I was from Perth in Western Australia with a friendly smile, but he still seemed unsure. He shook his head and asked, Australia where? "Los Angeles? Chicago? New York?" Luckily, Naveed was quick to jump in and said, "Yes, it's just next door to New York" in Arabic. The police officer's face lit up with a huge grin, and we went inside and bought our tickets to Madinah. The funniest part was, officer was holding my passport in his hands.
Curious about how we spent two days in Madinah next? Click on the orange button that says Madinah.