#2: [26-Dec-19]

17-Apr-2003 -- Trip to Abhā, al-Bāḥa, al-Līth, Ṭā'if and back to Riyāḍ (First part)

It was early morning on Thursday, 17 April when we set off from Riyāḍ for a one week round trip through the `Asīr mountains, with an excursion to the Red Sea, and back via Ṭā'if to Riyāḍ. We are: my wife Gabriele, our kids Lars Erik and Helena, and Heiko with whom we share the interest to discover Saudi Arabia.

Our target for the first day on the road was to reach Abhā. It was a comfortable drive due to the sunny weather and suitable temperatures. When we got near to the Confluence, 767 km from Riyāḍ, we left the road and drove straight through the sand. After some low stony dunes, we hit directly the confluence 20N 44E only a few kilometres from the main road.

Back on the road, we passed a landscape with interesting stone arrangements. In the late evening, we reached the village al-Sūda, near to Abhā at an altitude of approx. 2800 m. At least we were lucky to find a hotel, because out of season most of them were closed. Near to the viewpoint, our GPS showed an altitude of 3000 m.

The following days, we drove over the `Asīr mountains, always having some spectators, to al-Bāḥa and then down to the Red Sea.

Also see the Second part of our trip at 22N 41E.