Hi well what a crazy day !! We decided to go to Jubba to see if we could see the Stone Age rock carvings and paintings. We didn’t have the letter of permission you have to get but we thought we would just go and find where it was then apply for the letter to actually be allowed anywhere near them!
We drove to Jubba (about an hour) and drove through the small streets looking for a possible sign to the rocks. Off we drove and were met by some Arab shouting “Halla halla !” We just waved and carried on towards the direction of the mountains (rocks mountains get our drift ?) As we drove to wards the mountains out of Jubba a pick up truck came up and drove past us then blocked our way. Oh no I thought this it WE ARE DONE FOR !! Anyway the Arab we saw in the village appeared from the truck. Not speaking a word of English Stuart showed him the picture we had of the rock art. He made the follow me sort of motion .So we dutifully followed his truck as it drove back into Jubba !We stopped outside a building. We were ushered into a huge Bedouin tent with cushions and camel saddles around the edges. Beautiful thick rugs covered the floor. A fire was light with wood and from the many copper coffeepots around the fire a lovely mint tea was poured. Dates where uncovered from silver pots beside each of us and then endless tea was poured as well. We were given booklets on his “Heritage site”. After an hour we ventured out and he took us on the most amazing tour of his empire. I can not describe it all but can only say if any of you come to visit we will take you there as a first port of call !! Incredible!! He also showed us where Lady Ann Blunt the first women to travel into the hart of Arabia over 100 years ago had stayed. He had photos of her great grand sons visit to the rooms so we had to believe him. A huge well that seemed to go on forever and various bits and pieces of Saudi history to many to tell ! We then went back to Bedouin tent where the only English speaking Arab in Jubba appeared. Thus another hour of talking and drinking. Naif by this time was very full of Hubbley Bubbly !! We then were taken to “The shop where buy Ancient things!!” A small shack with stuff I’m sure he should not have been selling and things that the local village women had made. The dagger and necklace we chose they gave to us as a present and then dragged us back for more drinking in the tent. Finally we managed to convince them to set us free. They invited Stuart on a huge camel race across the Nafud desert as Naif organises it in February. It can take over a week of sitting on a camel and camping in desert but Stuart was up for it. We tried to pay them the entrance fee but they said no as Sam was dressed as a Saudi and we were not English but Saudi family. Very nice of them but Stuart forced some money as it was their holy day and we had taken up the whole morning of their rest day. They tried to get us to go and visit their father’s house but we said next time. A marvellous day and great people!
Love Moira
