Al Khobar Saudi Arabia, Damman Bridge and Saudi–Bahrain Border Visit

Al Khobar Saudi Arabia, Damman Bridge and Saudi–Bahrain Border - places where you can find beautiful beaches in the Middle East.The best deal ever here in Dessert Saudi Arabia, an exploration where you could expect the unexpected.So after all the preparation, planning and confirming of itineraries. Here it goes, welcome beach adventure!Did i mention this is my first adventure outside Riyadh?

First day 

We took a drive to Al Khobar on Monday August 29, 2011 at 11:30 PM. We drive along Al Karj Road where you will see beautiful sights of dessert place. Al Khobar is about 6 hours drive away from Central Riyadh.Khobar (also written al-Khobar or al-Khubar; Arabic: الخبر) is a large city located in the Eastern of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the Persian Gulf.
Picture taking at the villa before leaving for a long trip to Al Khobar

A series of stop over or may i say a series of picture taking

We went to three diffrent gasoline stations and i admit it has nothing to do with the beach,our main purpose was all about picture taking and making sure that everything was okay and fine so every now and then we stopped to check the condition of the car.
Stopping at the gasoline station along Al Karj road

The gasoline and store crew were all friendly,they allowed us to take picture in their stores,we also met some other people on the gasoline station and most of them were going also to Al Khobar to spend their Ramadan vacation.

Daybreak(5:30 in the morning)

After an uncomfortable way of sleeping inside the car during travel,we wake up at around 5:30 AM.As i started to open my eyes,it was breathtaking to see the sunrise, its just like a big ball of fire that invites you to come and play.What a start of a day,very relaxing!

Enjoying the benefits of sunrise image in my hand
Images taken inside our car during our daybreak travel.
Here Comes the Beach
First station
Halfmoon Bay Beach Resort
We arrived in Alkhobar Beach at around 7:00 AM, we stayed at Half Moon Bay Beach Resort located near Khobar city.Known for its great Grouper fishing and sailing many generations.It has an average depth being around 15'-30' with a couple of spots dropping to 50'. Half Moon Bay Beach Resort has been an excellent classroom for thousands of divers learning the sport. A very forgiving bay with its shallow entrance very few large sharks if any have ever been seen in this body of water.

Crystal clear water and superfine sand
We started to walk around the area and aside from its beautiful sceneries,Halfmoon Bay Beach Resorts has plenty of amenities,free cottages and showers with cooled off water to a comfortable one,and the good thing about this place was that its spacious seashore.
Swimming Time
After we prepared our tents and foods along the seashore,we get on the water to swim and take the opportunity to embrace and capture crystal clear water and its fine sand.It's very awesome,it will help you feel away from the outside world,a place where boredom is not an option.We enjoyed an unmatched activitities on land and sea, water volleyball and building sand castle,a competition of artistry,
Swimming all day long! sunburn!!!!
At Half Moon, we pride ourselves with privacy ,pampering,fun and make our vacation as relaxing as possible.
Second Station
Half Moon Bay Beach Resort-Pinoy Edition
We left Half Moon Bay Beach Resort at around 4:00 PM and decided to moved to Half Moon Bay Beach Resort-Pinoy Edition.I just called it Pinoy edition cause our Pinoy Kababayans first discovered the place,and the rest became history.It became one of the favorite spot of Expat Pinoys here in Saudi.It is about a 30 minutes drive from the first Resort we get in.
In the place,the weather is awesome,and has a bigger waves compared to the last one.It was pretty good but has no shower ammenities and with little garbage scattered along the area.So confused but have no choice but embrace the area and feel the moment to the fullest.Good thing,girls and boys in this area were allowed to talk to each other,thats the site i've never seen in Central Riyadh.
As we get our tents and food prepared for our dinner,we started to enjoy the place and walk around the area just like a little kid.

big waves at Half Moon Bay Beach Resort Pinoy Edition
Who can say even here in dessert place,you can enjoy the waves to where the sea meets lands and experience beautiful and awe inspiring place around the globe?Just take a look to our picture below,every single details represents our enjoyment to the area.


What a beautiful background
Lights out!!!time to sleep.
The next morning,we all wake up 7:30 AM,prepared our breakfast and walked around the beach for picture taking and prepared ourselves for the next adventure.We had an excellent breakfast, sopas (chicken soup) and halaan soup(a native Filipino delicacy).

Enjoying our delicious breakfast before going to our next destination
One last group photo.say cheese!!!
Third Station
Tour to King Fahd Causeway Bridge also known as Bahrain Bridge and Saudi-Bahrain Border
We got back to our vehicles and drive east for our next adventure,the trip to Dammam Bridge and Saudi-Bahrain Border.A must do adventure.The cost was only 25 Riyals per car that serves as entrance fee to the bridge.

Images taken from Wikipedia.com.A king Fahd Causeway as seen from space and view facing east.The King Fahd Causeway or Bahrain Bridge Arabic: جسر الملك فهد‎, Jisr al-Malik Fahd) is a causeway connecting Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. The idea of constructing the causeway was based on improving the links and bonds between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.


Toll plaza of the King Fahd Causeway going to Bahrain


King Fahd Causeway-Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.It was literally in the middle of the ocean.
We continued to drive on the bridge road until we were on the border of Saudi and Bahrain.It was a different environment due to high humidity and temperature of above 50 degress C.So be prepared to sweat all over your body.We stopped at causeway restaurant and Bahraini Observation Tower, unluckily the tower was closed during our visit.So were not able to snap pictures from above.
Welcome to Bahrain Immigration Center.

Our tour started in the Bahrain departure area going to Bahraini Observation Tower.

Bahraini Observation Tower

The picture you see here is of Departure area of Bahrain. We are standing on roadside looking across the border.It was an incredible place to be standing with. Imagine,two countries at the same time. We had a beautiful view to the area of Saudi and Bahrain, which spanned the ocean. It was fascinating watching people who also visits the Saudi-Bahrain border.

What a relaxing view.Given in our background, a nature inspired park at Bahrain - Saudi Border,people in Bahrain are concerned in preserving natural resources.Foods stuffs or meryendas available in the park,nilagang mani and chips,there were also some toys available and bottled water.
The entire visit was a wonderful experience.We had fun watching and meeting people who visited in the area,Pinoys,Bangali,Syrian and even Locals, and of course picture taking.The spirit of friendship was present especially among all Filipinos.For me,nothings beats the day at the park,very new and the feeling of being a foreigner was there and an opportunity of relaxation after long tiring drive and all day long swimming at the beach.
After 1 hour of stayed in the park,a very great one,we get back to our car and drive through the King Fahd Causeway back to Riyadh.End of adventure?Nope.One more stop to go,the adventure of food tripping.Our group decided to get our lunch to the nearest restaurant or any Filipino stores that we may get into along the way.
We later hit the Al Rahmaniyah Mall at Al- Khobar,seems Pinoys favorite place due to the presence of our Kababayans all over.

Your right folks,our very own Jollibee is here.The flag carrier of Pinoys abroad.Actually it was the fifth Jollibee store here in Saudi Arabia,but we were not able to take our lunch here because of the salah (prayer time of Muslims) during this time,some stores are close,so no choice but to find another one.

Finally,a Filipino restaurant but forgot the name.hehehehe!!!The foods were very delicious,truly a Filipino native delicacy and surely you cant ask for more.Complete!!
Bon appetite!!!say cheese!!!
Beef with coconut,Spicy beef stew,Spicy Chicken Fillet menudo,Gelatin and noodle soup with egg.What a combination,!For just only 13 Riyals.
After taking our lunch,its time to go home,the saddest part of our adventure,but its alright,maybe next adventure,hoping for more time and more place to visit.Can't wait to go for another one.But for now,i may say,its very very very good experience for an expat here in saudi,an experience once in a lifetime.
Kudos,thanks for reading my blog.Happy Ramadan.
Thank you God for this wonderful experience.