Dibb's Down Under: Jeddah

Monday, January 21, 2019

Jeddah

I need to back track just a bit. We went to Jeddah to snorkel/dive the Red Sea over Saudi Nat'l weekend in September. It was a nice, quick getaway...even though it started out a bit rocky!

I'm not sure that this is really safe but the kids kept themselves entertained at the airport. The car rental process was such an ordeal. It took FOREVER. After waiting a good hour for our cars to be delivered to the airport, they wouldn't let us leave b/c we had 2 cars (no vans available) and wanted 2 different credit cards- 1 for each car. We never could figure out why...it seems reasonable that we pay for both cars on 1 credit card. Then again, we're still in Saudi and sometimes nothing makes sense. Anyways, they finally backed down once Brian lost his cool and started threatening to leave and find a different company to rent from. Oddly enough, we're still waiting for our credit card to be charged...?!

We arrived at the resort very late (due to rental car debacle) and arrived to find our room only had one bed and nowhere for our kids to sleep. Brian had to call the resort manager and complain- they finally gave us another room to use for that 1 night and then the next day brought additional bedding. So finally, after some sleep, we were ready to explore. The kids had fun scouring the rocks/beach for hermit crabs and made them a home in the sand (aka hermit crab jail).

Surprisingly, the food at the resort was pretty good- Kaiya's just chillin' out waiting for her lunch to arrive.

Emiko and Brian got to do some diving. Emi's face...sigh...

Cheesecake Factory- we drove 45 min into Jeddah for Cheesecake Factory. It was worth it. Sometimes it's so nice to have a taste/reminder of home. And cheesecake is yummy...so yummy.

Mei and I snorkeling just off the pier.

After just a quick couple of days it was time to fly home. We arrived back at the Dammam airport and b/c it's Saudi Nat'l Day they were passing out flags and free food.