Mr. B and Me (Adventures in Saudi Arabia and beyond!)

Asir Region - Abha and Khamis Mushayt
(September 2005)

	The Asir Region of Saudi Arabia is located in the southwest part of the country along the Red Sea Coast. It's a mountainous region and the high elevation gives it a cooler termperature. Warm moist air rising up the mountain ridges from the sea cools as it rises and so the region gets much more rain than the rest of Saudi Arabia.
After trying to get to Abha all summer, I finally went! I joined a group from the National Guard Hospital here in Riyadh for the weekend tour. At the hotel we were met with a beautiful flower lei and a nice cold drink and there was a nice bowl of fruit in the room.
		In my hotel room I found a copy of the Quran (in Arabic, of course) and a prayer rug. And, as always, the quibla pointing the way to Mecca.
This area of the country has some unique traditions. The old village architecture differs from the mud-brick in the Riyadh region. And traditional clothing is brighter and exhibits influences from nearby Yemen and the African continent just across the Red Sea. In the picture at the far right some members of our group are dressed in the traditional attire.
	The region boasts a lot more color than other areas of the country. Not all buildings have color - most are the usual shades of sand - but some really stand out!
Jabal Al-Soodah in this area is the highest mountain in Saudi Arabia. We took a cable car from the top down to a lower station and back. You could feel the air getting warmer as you descended. You could also feel the effects of the thinner air at the higher altitude.
	It's a beautiful area and you even find that rarest of things in this desert country - standing water!
	Wild BABOONS live in these mountains! Troups of them are seen along the roadside where they sift through the garbage. Of course, we had to toss them some fruit so we could get some great pictures!
Another attraction in the area is Al Habla, the hanging village. These stone houses were built by members of the Al Qahtani tribe 300 meters down into the valley accessible by stairs, and now a cable car.
	Shada Palace is built in the old traditional style. It is actually bigger than it appears as there are several floors and 2-3 good size rooms on each floor. It is now a museum. Below is some traditional men's wear, while at the right is a traditional woman's attire. The silver belt is part of her dowry.