29-Nov-2002 -- Some lucky employees in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are given a compulsory break at the end of the holy month of Ramaḍān. I was one of them, but was unable to find any others that had stayed in the Kingdom and who were interested in a long trek through the desert. Therefore, I decided to visit the south-west region of Saudi Arabia on conventional tarmac roads rather than across the desert. So, my son, Sean, and I embarked on a six-day journey of nearly three thousand kilometres which was routed to visit the region’s sights as well as take us past as many confluence points as possible (see also 20N 45E, 18N 44E, 18N 43E, 19N 43E, 21N 43E, 22N 42E, 24N 43E).

Having visited the 20N 45E confluence, we drove further south. The majestic Ṭuwayq escarpment loomed to the east and provided the Bani Ma`ariḍ wildlife sanctuary with a natural barrier of protection. The west was featureless apart from some low dunes rising above the sand plains.

It was towards such low dunes that we headed in search for the confluence point. We found it about ten kilometres from the road. It was situated in soft sand and was on a slightly elevated dune that gave us a marginally better view of the surrounding area. Again, the views were uninspiring.

Continued at 18N 44E.