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…

Regeneration Day in Atulayan Island

Less touristy is my default adjective whenever I describe my kind of go-to place for a weekend getaway or a random escape from the rush of the every day. That is particularly true whenever I am on vacation. I am blessed for having someone who has always been on a constant hunt for that kind…

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…

The Senescent Arabian Wonder that is “Al Balad” and its True Owners

Two years before the launch of Saudi Vision 2030 in 2016, Al Balad Town was already declared a heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It was one of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s proactive efforts in realizing the first of the vision’s theme: A Vibrant Society. Diving into the…

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…

The Doors, Windows, Lamps, and Mud-Built Structures Of Ushaiger Heritage Village

Facts of the past were my academic energizers back in the day. Memorizing names, dates, events, and anything akin to history interest me—still. When I was invited by a good friend to join his squad’s trip to Ushaiger Heritage Village, the wandering feet’s engine automatically zoomed off to say, “Yes!” A grant-in-aid for The Stories…

Beyond the Claddings of King Fahad National Library

It was a random winter day in 2012 when my optical organs got magnetized by those claddings that surround the King Fahad National Library while cruising over King Fahad Road in Olaya District. I’ve always been fascinated by the unique architectural design of the building. There wasn’t a time that I didn’t take a gander at…

20 of the Most Beautiful Sunsets in Riyadh from 2019

I have always claimed that sunset is the most reliable fuel to my muse. I pride myself for being able to articulate the fleeting experience it gives me each time I stand in awe or sit for pleasure during an encounter with this nature wonder. Today is yet another special day because it is a…

Healing with Nature at the Cove and in the Mountains of Siruma in Camarines Sur

I always regard hitting the beach or hiking in the mountains as a form of pilgrimage. This is the reason why a short stay at the beach or hiking in the mountains is an essential part of my vacation. Most of the time, I am on the lookout for the less visited places. Beach and/or…

Reinforcement Hike on the Camel Trails in Riyadh’s The Back of Beyond

The Hiker’s Maxim: “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time (J.K.).” View this post on Instagram Going on a solo hike, which I did last week, was a rejuvenating and spiritual experience, but sharing this endeavor with friends two days ago was more fun. And, got someone to take photos…