My First Time in The Middle East - 24 Hours in Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦
My First Time in The Middle East - 24 Hours in Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦
Notable moments
- 05:13 Giant Airport Aquarium in Jeddah
George stumbles across a massive cylindrical saltwater aquarium standing inside the main terminal hall of Jeddah Airport. The multi-story tank is filled with vibrant coral structures, stingrays, pufferfish, and schools of tropical fish.
King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - 10:24 Sampling Saudi Coffee and Dates in Lounge
While waiting for his train to Medina, George pours himself traditional lightly roasted Saudi coffee infused with cardamom and ginger in the station lounge. He pairs the hot aromatic drink with fresh pitted dates and local sweet biscuits.
King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - 14:43 Business Class Meal on Haramain Train
Onboard the high-speed bullet train from Jeddah to Medina, attendants serve a complimentary hot meal tray in Business Class. George unwraps foil trays containing spiced chicken with colorful saffron rice, a sweet semolina dessert, and fresh fruit juice.
- 16:37 Futuristic Madinah Train Station Architecture
After stepping off the bullet train in Medina, George looks up to admire the grand ceiling of Madinah Station. The massive vaulted canopy features interconnected diamond-shaped geometric cutouts and palm-tree-like steel columns designed to filter natural sunlight.
Madinah Haramain High Speed Railway Station, Medina, Saudi Arabia - 28:07 King Fahd Quran Printing Complex Tour
George visits the world's largest Quran printing facility just outside Medina, looking out over an enormous factory floor packed with automated printing presses, paper rolls, and stacked volumes. Visitors can walk along the upper observation hallway for free and see the production process in real time.
King Fahd Glorious Quran Printing Complex, Medina, Saudi Arabia - 32:48 Fitting Traditional Saudi Attire in Medina
At a local textile boutique near the holy site, shopkeepers help George try on a white full-length thobe along with a red-and-white checked shemagh headscarf secured by a black agal cord. The shop staff patiently adjust the fit while chatting with him about local customs and prices.
Medina, Saudi Arabia - 40:00 Al-Masjid an-Nabawi at Sunset
George walks up to the outer perimeter gates of the Prophet's Mosque in Medina just as the evening adhan begins to echo across the plaza. High minarets and gigantic retractable shade umbrellas stand illuminated against the twilight sky as thousands of worshippers gather in the courtyard.
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, Medina, Saudi Arabia
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