A Finnish woman’s mission to show the world Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage gems

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A stunning view of Haql shipwreck beach in Tabuk province. (Photo courtesy: Laura Alho)
Updated 22 April 2018
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A Finnish woman’s mission to show the world Saudi Arabia’s cultural heritage gems

  • Laura Alho's blog keeps people informed about the hidden gems of Saudi Arabia and the latest events and developments
  • "A great tour guide would always tell the truth to the tourists and not try to make up stories to cover up their mistakes," says Laura Alho

JEDDAH: As part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, tourist and heritage sites will be developed to encourage visitors from around the world. This is good news for Laura Alho, a travel writer and photographer who is said to be the first person to start promoting Saudi tourism to the outside world. 

Alho is a Finnish woman who came to Riyadh 10 years ago, exploring Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage ever since. She was attracted by the culture and history of the region.

She started her “Blue Abaya — Explore Arabia” blog in 2010 because she noticed a lack of channels informing people about things to do and where to travel in Saudi Arabia.

“I was just so positively surprised about all the amazing places I kept finding around Riyadh and also tired of hearing the negative comments about the country, that I decided the least I could do was to show people that it is not a bad place to live in.”

“The name Blue Abaya came from wanting to combine something from my country, Finland, in the blue color of our flag, with something from Saudi Arabia. Back then we didn’t have nearly as much going on in terms of events (concerts were non-existent) but I still I wanted to get the word out and help people to enjoy their time in Saudi Arabia as much as possible,” she said.

“Another aim for the blog was to show the outside world what life in Saudi Arabia is really like and to showcase the beautiful places to visit in KSA. What I kept seeing in the mainstream media was mostly negative, blown-out-of-proportion or false info about KSA. I think the country gets an unfair portrayal in the media and that motivated me to try to show the positive sides.”

She added: “I am proud to say I have changed thousands of people’s false perceptions about Saudi Arabia. I have received so many e-mails all these years from people wanting to visit the country after being inspired by my photography and reading my travel stories.”

 The website has gathered millions of views from all over the world and to this day the website and all the 11 different social media channels that Alho handles alone, keep people informed about the hidden gems of Saudi Arabia and the latest events and developments. 

Alho has two children, who have already traveled to 11 of the 13 provinces of Saudi Arabia despite their young age. She started blogging as a hobby but slowly travel writing became a full-time job and Alho has visited all of Saudi Arabia’s provinces now. “I’ve written guidebooks and travel guides about Saudi Arabia for eight years. My hard work has paid off and has had a huge impact on the expat community. Some places have become famous through my posts, like the Edge of the World in Riyadh, which is no longer an unknown place like it was 6 years ago,” she said.

Alho told Arab News that the most rewarding part about her journey in Saudi Arabia has been “all the awesome feedback I get from expatriates who told me how reading my articles made them decide to move to Saudi Arabia, or how my blog helped them make a more meaningful and fun time while they are living here. I’m also thrilled to hear from my Saudi followers who have rediscovered their country and have shared my posts on social media and visited some of the places they only knew existed by reading my site.”

With the new objective of opening up Saudi Arabia to more international tourists, Alho says more effort needs to be placed into developing the tour guide industry. “Currently one of the major challenges I’ve noticed throughout my travels in Saudi Arabia is the limited number of English-speaking tour guides specializing in accommodating to the tastes of international tourists.”

She added about the challenges she has faced with some tour guides in Saudi Arabia: “A great tour guide would always tell the truth to the tourists and not try to make up stories to cover up their mistakes. They should describe the places truthfully and not sugar-coat or give misleading information. Honesty is the best policy.”

Alho said that a lot of tourists understand that the country is still in the first stages of welcoming tourists, so not all facilities are there or function properly. A great tour guide also learns something about the guests’ home countries and culture in advance and shares interesting details about Saudi culture. “I think with the upcoming women driving, the tour guide industry will get a breath of fresh air with the work of dedicated and hardworking Saudi female tour guides coming to the field.” 

Alho said Farasan Islands is one of her most favorite places in Saudi Arabia. “I visited these islands for the first time in 2008. What I love most about this destination and what makes it so unique is the authentic ‘island-life’ feel of the place. The beaches, of course, are gorgeous and you can visit deserted islands and be the only people there.”

Farasan’s remarkable history goes back millions of years. It is theorized that people took this route out of Africa when the water levels were significantly lower than today. Another favorite is Al-Baha region, with its lakes, waterfalls, and mountains and also a rich history and the stunning Dhee Ayn “Marble Village.”

“Tabuk province has endless opportunities for exploring in the desert, there are fantastic landscapes equal to Wadi Rum of Jordan, mountainscapes like Jebel Lawz, canyons like Tayeb Esm, natural Springs of Moses by the Red Sea, Nabatean tombs, old railways and pilgrimage route sites, rock carvings and majestic valleys such as Wadi Deesah. Not to forget world-class diving locations and pristine islands along the Red Sea coast.”

Alho said she faces endless challenges touring sites, but it doesn’t stop her from trying to visit and telling her readers about her findings. “Finding reliable, up-to-date information is very difficult; it’s especially challenging to find out opening hours. In rural areas there is a lack of service-minded staff in service sector and it’s hard to find good quality furnished apartments and hotels, especially in the smaller cities.  However, I’ve witnessed great improvements in this field the past few years, there’s a positive change in all service providers throughout the Kingdom.

“Despite some challenges when traveling on my own in Saudi Arabia, it won’t stop me from going to new places. There is always a new beautiful location to be discovered and it makes it worth the while.

“The best experiences come when meeting the locals. They are very friendly and welcoming and always willing to help. I’ve found the most hospitable Saudis in the north, Al-Jouf, Hail, and Al-Qassim. They know how to take hospitality to another level.”


Authorities foil drug trafficking across Kingdom

Updated 12 sec ago
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Authorities foil drug trafficking across Kingdom

  • Suspects arrested in multiple regions as authorities tighten grip on drug trade

Riyadh: Saudi authorities carried out multiple drug-related arrests across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday. 

Border Guard land patrols in the Halat Ammar sector of the Tabuk region foiled the smuggling of 352,275 amphetamine pills.

In Asir’s Al-Raboah sector, authorities arrested two Ethiopians with 50 kg of qat, while another operation led to the arrest of four Ethiopians smuggling 120 kg of qat.

In Jazan’s Al-Dayer sector, an Ethiopian was caught with 155,400 regulated tablets, and another smuggling attempt involving 995 kg of qat was thwarted.

The General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested a Pakistani resident in Riyadh with 6.5 kg of methamphetamine, locally known as shabu.

Two citizens were arrested in the Hail region with 16,132 amphetamine tablets and 7.5 kg of hashish.

Preliminary legal procedures were completed, and all seized items were transferred to the relevant bodies.

Authorities have urged the public to report drug smuggling or selling by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 999 in other regions.

Reports can also be submitted, in strict confidence, to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995 or via email at 995@gdnc.gov.sa.


KSrelief provides urgent medical, food assistance to crisis-hit regions worldwide

Updated 26 min 3 sec ago
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KSrelief provides urgent medical, food assistance to crisis-hit regions worldwide

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency, KSrelief, is providing humanitarian assistance to assist some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

In Yemen, KSrelief delivered the fourth batch of dialysis solutions and supplies for kidney patients in Al-Mukalla district of Hadramout governorate.

Hadramout Assistant Deputy Gov. Fahmi Badhawi highlighted the importance of the supplies and expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for its support for Yemen’s healthcare sector and humanitarian efforts.

The scheme is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts through KSrelief to provide healthcare services to patients and the injured, while improving Yemen’s medical sector, the SPA reported.

Meanwhile, KSrelief delivered food baskets to 155 families in Sahnaya town, Rif Dimashq governorate in the Syrian Arab Republic, benefiting 769 people. The agency also provided clothing parcels to 140 families in Aleppo governorate.

In Lebanon, KSrelief provided food baskets to 828 families in Western Bekaa, Akkar and Dannieh, and 467 food baskets in Beirut, benefiting 2,335 people.

In Sudan, KSrelief handed out 2,000 food baskets to displaced and needy families in Berber locality, River Nile State, benefiting 12,811 people, and 800 food baskets in Jebeit, Red Sea State, benefiting 4,720 people.

Since launching in May 2015, KSrelief has implemented 3,389 projects worth almost $7.9 billion in 106 countries, partnering with more than 300 local, regional and international organizations.

A recent KSrelief report shows the countries and territories benefiting the most from the agency’s projects: Yemen ($4.5 billion), Palestine ($514 million), Syria ($479 million), Somalia ($235 million) and other countries totaling $929 million.

Programs cover food security, early recovery, water sanitation and hygiene, health, camp coordination, education, protection, emergency aid, nutrition, and logistics and telecommunications.


Civil Defense issues heavy rain alert until Monday

Updated 03 April 2025
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Civil Defense issues heavy rain alert until Monday

  • The directorate indicated that moderate to heavy rain is expected in the Tabuk, Madinah, Jouf, Northern Borders, Eastern Province, Hail, Qassim, Baha and Asir regions

Riyadh: The public should exercise caution as thunderstorms and heavy rains are expected to continue across most regions of the Kingdom until Monday, according to the General Directorate of Civil Defense. 

Residents are advised to stay in safe locations, avoid valleys and areas prone to flooding, and refrain from swimming in them, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday. 

According to the report, there will be dust-stirring winds, and moderate to heavy rain may fall in the Makkah and Riyadh regions.

The directorate indicated that moderate to heavy rain is expected in the Tabuk, Madinah, Jouf, Northern Borders, Eastern Province, Hail, Qassim, Baha and Asir regions.

The Jazan region will see light to moderate rain, while the Najran region will experience light rainfall, the report said.

The Civil Defense has urged the public to monitor official channels and social media platforms for the latest weather updates.


Saudi consulate in Los Angeles celebrates Eid Al-Fitr

Among those attending the event were Saudi Consul General Bandar Al-Zaid and officials from the US State Department. (Supplied)
Updated 02 April 2025
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Saudi consulate in Los Angeles celebrates Eid Al-Fitr

  • The celebration underscored the consulate’s commitment to strengthening ties with the local community and fostering cultural exchange

LOS ANGELES: Saudi Arabia’s Consulate General in Los Angeles marked Eid Al-Fitr with a festive celebration attended by Consul General Bandar Al-Zaid, officials from the US State Department, the Vice Mayor of Irvine James Mai, the former mayor of Irvine, and accredited consul generals.

The celebration underscored the consulate’s commitment to strengthening ties with the local community and fostering cultural exchange, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Through such initiatives, the consulate aims to highlight the Kingdom’s rich heritage.

 


Arabic Language Month begins in Spain

Updated 02 April 2025
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Arabic Language Month begins in Spain

  • It features an exhibition, seminars, training courses, linguistic proficiency tests, and student competitions in partnership with Spanish universities and academic institutions

RIYADH: The King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language is hosting the Arabic Language Month program in Spain throughout April, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The event is a comprehensive initiative aimed at developing Arabic language curricula, promoting the language, and highlighting Saudi Arabia’s efforts in this field.

The progeam is designed to strengthen academic and educational ties between Saudi Arabia and international institutions, the SPA reported.

It features an exhibition, seminars, training courses, linguistic proficiency tests, and student competitions in partnership with Spanish universities and academic institutions.

As part of the academy’s global Arabic teaching program, the initiative has been implemented in countries such as Uzbekistan, Indonesia, China, India, France, Brazil, Thailand and Malaysia, expanding its international reach and fostering global partnerships.