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The city of Jiddah has a history dating back for almost 2500 years, what started off as a small fishing village is now a busy metropolis and the second largest city in Saudi Arabia. The city experienced a welcome boom with the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, becoming a major trading port of the area. Nicknamed the "Bride of the Sea", due to its location on the banks of the Red Sea, there are even buildings in the Old City whose walls were built from coral from the Red Sea coral reefs.
The city draws life-giving water from the sea via a large desalination plant which processes up to five million gallons of water each day. The population of this city has been enriched by foreign Muslims from all over the world who have decided to stay here after making the haj to nearby Mecca. Although a far cry from its humble fishing beginnings, the city still makes a good living from its port, shipping oil to all four corners of the world. |
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Old Jeddah - This section is a cultural landmark which reflects the heritage of Saudi Arabia and is an important tourist attraction in the city. This ancient area sprouted up in higgeldy piggeldy fashion, with mosques, minarets and merchant palaces all vieing for their place in the sun (or shade).Surrounded by walls, Old Jeddah has grown vertically through the ages and the dense blocks of houses, merchants' palaces, mosques and minarets, have shaped it.Within the old walls are the Sharbatly and Naseef Houses, typical traditional merchant homes carefully restored to their grand original style. The Al- Balad area is also an interesting area to walk around in, with its restored homes open to tourists.
al Shafei Mosque - This is the city's oldest mosque, located in Mahelat al Madhloom which is the oldest area of Old Jeddah. Take a pilgimage to the northeastern part of the city to visit this mosque and also the numerous old market places that are still to be found in this historic area.
The Corniche - Enjoy a cool evening walk along this recreation area at the beachfront and a quiet dinner at one of the many restaurants afterwards. The gardens and fountains here are a haven of cool green and blue, the perfect antidote to a hot dusty day. |
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You must try the traditional gahwa- Arabian coffee- at one of the local cafes. The tradition of afternoon coffee is observed in most of the country and the preparation and serving of coffee has developed into quite a ceremony. If you are an honoured house guest you will be served by the host, the main guest being served first. Custom dictates that the first cup should never be refused, and the total cups quaffed should be an odd number, not even number. The coffee is traditionally sweetened with dates, not sugar. Dates are an essential part of Saudi Arabian diet and are consumed in vaste quantities and in numerous forms. Try Al- batheeth, a kind of sweet made from dates, flour, butter and spices.
Traditional meals start with appetizers, meza, which could consist of veggie salad or delicious lamb with a dip (babba ganoush).
Spices such as coriander and cummin are used liberally and lamb or chicken often features on the menu. Alcohol and pork are strictly forbidden to Muslims. |
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http://www.sauditourism.gov.sa - Official Tourism website |
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