Winter Wonder Buddies

In a few days, most of us would be feeling more sluggish and less playful. I’m talking about the season that’s on the onset. It’s not the ongoing festive Riyadh Season but the season that’s hardly the most invigorating. The one that’s spiritually akin to slumber and rest yet we all look forward to for…

Cleanup Drive and Hiking in Camel Trail 1

The Hiker’s Maxim: “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time (J.K.).” I am not a perfect person nor that I am any better than anybody else. But if there is one thing I pride myself on, it will be the enthusiasm for the environment particularly participating in events that support…

Summer Night Hike in the Desert Gorges of Riyadh…Anyone?

The Hiker’s Maxim: “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time (J.K.).” These days, summer is extra tough for people who love the outdoors. When the sun sets late and temperatures spike, it can be tempting to just chill inside with Netflix in front rather than bundle up for an outdoor…

Exploring the Great Outdoors of Stephen King-Like Days

Disclaimer: This was originally published (17 December 2020) in my workplace via its “Let’s Weekend series” with a title “Exploring the Great Outdoors” and it only comprised 497 words. This one here is the complete version, with almost 3,000 words. Traveling, let alone going outside, these days is a challenge because it entails exposing ourselves…

Riyadhizens, People of Saudi Arabia, Let’s Make it Green!

While digging the modern dossier earlier today, 29 March 2021, pertinent to the #LetsMakeItGreen campaign, I have come across a familiar name, who, apparently was the former CEO of the company I am working for. He was one of the many leaders in the workplace — with reputation. He had truly given the company’s ship…

Greenest, Lushest Park of Riyadh City

I am using this space to thank this profession called urban planning for bringing these very very old nature wonders to a desert jungle that is Riyadh. They are called trees, and, based on what I read, they have 350 million years of experience looking after our planet! We, humans, have an intrinsic emotional need to…

Enchanted and Revived by the Red Sea in Jeddah Corniche

Visiting the second largest city in the Kingdom, Jeddah, has already crossed my mind a few years ago since I saw pictures of that UNESCO Word Heritage Site in Al Balad and the Corniche nestling in city. The site is a reminiscent of the “Ushaiger Heritage Village” in Najd region of Riyadh Province and “Calle…

Back to Basics with Indoor Plants in Riyadh

Our company had us worked from home last 16 March 2020. We got back in the office after five months or last August 17. During that period, it was inevitable to develop a face-off against a tsunami, a duel against the invisible. Coping with the inconveniences, anxiety, and stress this situation brought upon us was…

Riyadh’s White Canyon: A Home to Grand Gorge and Other Desert Wonders

The Hiker’s Maxim: “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time (J.K.).” When I received the internal communication regarding a big discount offers relative to the celebration of International Men’s Day on 19 November 2019, I immediately chose and registered in Hikemania Club’s hiking trip to the White Canyon in Nemar….

Exposing The Hidden Canyon’s Splendour and Mother Nature’s Call For “Responsible Tourism”

The Hiker’s Maxim: “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time (J.K.).” It was Friday a week ago, 14th of April 2017, when my mobile phone activated the alarm at three o’clock in the morning. I felt woozy but immediately leaped out of bed upon remembering that I and fellow traveler…

Where The Four Great Amputees And Mountains Led Me

The windy afternoon was starting to metamorphose into dusk. We were walking along the steep ravines of Rio Grande de Cagayan on the outskirts of Santo Thomas in Isabela when I happened to glance down at the jagged boulders, approximately 20 feet high. The gushing sound of the waters slapping the rocks, which got me…

The World’s Finest Wilderness Lies Beneath The Manila Ocean Park

It was 16 December 2010 when I first explored the Manila Ocean Park’s oceanarium. This is one of those activities that I would heart to do over and over again. As you know, I love nature and I immerse in its elements whenever there is a chance. The ocean park just gives that superb, magical feel…