Riyadh

 Riyadh 

A metro station.

Riyadh has the most modern metro system. It has just recently opened with five lines operational from December 2024 and the sixth line due to open in January 2025. The stations are all airy, bright and air-conditioned. The rolling stock is automatic without any driver. It is cheap and simple to use.

There are downsides in that being so new, the stations aren't all on the maps and some don't appear on e- maps yet. I had arrived on a Thursday evening and nothing happens until after Friday prayers so I had some enforced time to kick my heels. 

I planned a route to see some sights using the metro and set off. What I didn't know was that whilst the trains were running, not all of the stations were open. I planned to get off at the National Museum stop but the train flashed through the station. It also didn't stop for another three stations. I was dropped a long way beyond my target with no plan B. I caught a taxi only to discover that it was closed until 16.00 that day.

The next day, I was better prepared, knowing where I was to be dropped and worked out a route to take in a few sights. Whilst walking to my first stop, I passed a building site. There was no informative hoarding and nothing on any map. It is a big building with the outer shell made completely of shiny metal that curves out from the base. It reflects everything beneth it like a mirror.

I passed a water tower...it should have been a major landmark to confirm that I was on the right track...but it wasn't on any map and not on Google street view or bird's eye. It stands in the Al Watan Park which is on the map but the structure is not.  

I planned to visit the Al Masmak Palace, Fortress and Museum. It was closed for some reason and not just because it wasn't opening time.

I moved on to the Murabba Historical Palace but it was closed. I tried the National Museum but it was costly to get in and there was a large temporary exhibition on Christian Dior which is a poor substitute when I had set my heart on seeing some culture and history.

I passed the fish market which is housed in a building built like a ship...fun stuff but it wouldn't fill in the day. I soon found myself back on the metro heading back to the hotel. 

I had a few jobs to do. I needed to collect my laundry from a service shop where I had dropped it off the day before. I had had everything washed except the clothes I stood up in. It would be an 6am start the next day for a long drive south to a bush camp not far from the Red Sea and I needed some food for lunch on the road.