Sand Storm - not quite Ghost Protocol

We were recently watching "Ghost Protocol" on DVD, the latest version of the "Mission Impossible" movies. Part of that movie was filmed in Dubai, depicting Tom Cruise dealing with a sandstorm rolling in from the desert in a manner like a tsunami.
Hollywood or reality?
Sand storms are most commonly experienced in the Sahara and the Arabian peninsula, although present in other parts of the world in arid conditions.
This past winter had been particularly dry as there had been no rain, none, zilch. However we had experienced a lot of wind, so conditions were ripe.
There can't always be sunshine with clear blue skies, although there is most of the time.
But sand & dust rolling in like a tsunami - yes, occasionally, but more commonly coming in like fog in a more insideous manner. But even in its "milder" forms schools get closed and many people stay inside. No rain, and hence no floods this year, but sand and dust produces its own limitations.
Fortunately it only lasted about a week, creeping in more gradually than the event depicted in "Ghost Protocol" then slowly dissipating.
Following are some images from our balcony and from the corniche region.

Fortunately not a common event, but a risk living on the edge of the desert.

A Stroll along the Corniche and Shore.

It was a night when lots of good food and "tea" had been ingested when Tord thought it would be a good idea to go for a vigorous walk along the Jeddah corniche the next morning.
"What time" the skipper asked?
"About 0600" Tord replied...... it was now about 11 pm and the "tea" was still being taken in liberal quantities.
"Ahaa....." replied the skipper. The decision was finally made to meet in the garage at 0800 to drive to the corniche, about 20 minutes from our apartment. Needles to say we did not feel the mirror of health when the agreed upon time arrived.
The corniche in Jeddah runs along the Red Sea shoreline of the city, from the old city (where now the major shipping port exists) out towards the North where the "newer" city is being developed and is spreading. We were to go to the newer region still being developed. Jeddah is an ancient port city having hosted trading activities, as well as being the gateway to Mecca, for many centuries....... clearly the sea is part of its heritage.
We were to start at the Movenpick resort and walk appropriately to the Starbucks location, then return to the car .... about a two hour "stroll".

An enjoyable way to clear out the mental cobwebs.
With the usual congestion that is present in any large city the corniche is a resource that is very popular for both locals and expats alike. It also supports the long maritime heritage of this region.
Good idea Tord! A weekend activity to be enjoyed when we are not at the beach or doing a boat dive.

Hospital Retreat in the Desert

It was that time of the year, early March, for the hospital's annual retreat.
The hospital (KFSHRC) has two branches, the main hospital (800 + beds) in Riyadh and our branch (400 + beds) in Jeddah. Once a year the "management" gets together in the Riyadh vicinity for our "retreat" ( a term I find curious as although the intent is to discuss ways of moving ahead the very term itself suggests the opposite). After flying from Jeddah to Riyadh, and staying overnight there, we were to be taken by bus over 100 km west of the city out into the desert to a resort location (an "oasis" in the desert). This year we were to be "educated" by a small group from the "VA Health Care" Network from the USA discussing how they overcame their many health care delivery issues from the 1990's era to transform itself to where it is today. This was done via lectures, working groups and open discussions. The other major attraction was obviously an opportunity to network, as well of course to have some local R & R. The abundance of food available was however not good for my pseudo diet.

On the resort grounds there was a large horse facility (several hundred horses & ponies apparently) and small race track. Needless to say the grounds and resort were owned by a Prince. However we were not able to see any Arabian horses on our short visit.

In addition to this facility, along with restaurants, accommodations, and swimming pool there was also a small African safari feature which we did visit on one of our "breaks". Strange seeing African animals in the Saudi desert - why not a feature with natural features & game related to the Arabian peninsula?. We travelled through this venue by 4x4's with a "guide".

On the bus trip back to Riyadh (eventually to the airport) we were able to view the changes in the desert landscape - from the "flats" and dunes (the "red sands") to the rocky cliffs and eventually the large geographical plateau that Riyadh actually sits on ...........

   These images brought back memories of the first "tour of duty" in the Magic Kingdom (while at the KFSHRC in Riyadh) when many weekends were spent hiking & camping in these rocky areas - memories of the silence 'out there' and the magical vistas.
Eventually back to Riyadh and to the airport for our trip back to Jeddah.

Of course the trip back didn't come without a couple of hitches. First our flight back was cancelled only to be booked on a flight leaving two hours later - not initially knowing this as having been given our boarding passes and to "discover" the cancellation while sitting in the boarding lounge.
Secondly during the flight back  I was travelling with a chairman who was Swedish, with the appropriate accent - he asked for a glass of water. None came. He subsequently asked again ....... and this time to be given a set of earphones! So much for flying Saudia.