Saudi contingent?
Discussion
[quote=Rocketman105]Hiya, I'm moving to Saudi this weekend with work and wondered if there's anyone on here based in Riyadh and if there's much of a PH community in KSA?
Grateful for any info!
I'd like to sort out some trips to UAE so I'll keep an eye on here for info on trackdays/F1 trips.
Cheers!
o[/quote
What have you done to deserve that?
I think I am pretty much the 'Saudi Contingent' (Riyadh branch) unless somebody pops their head above the parapet to claim otherwise?
If you want to see some petrol head action Saudi style, I can recommend Tahlia St, weekend evenings. Push the boat out and grab a coffee or a mocktail. Don't worry if the Gaydar keeps sounding, you will get used to it.
I can recommend sanity breaks to Bahrain and Dubai, I'm not long back from break in Dubai and only just getting over post brunch hangover. Bahrain driveable in 3.5 hours + however long they want to keep you at causeway checkpoints (2 hours is our record worst, 10 mins best during the height of the rioting).
Buy a big engined car and run it with impunity. I still feel like a thief every time I fill the tank.
If you need any more help/advice, ask away, this place gets a lot of bad press with good reason, you've just got to swing with it and work the contacts.
B
Grateful for any info!
I'd like to sort out some trips to UAE so I'll keep an eye on here for info on trackdays/F1 trips.
Cheers!
o[/quote
What have you done to deserve that?
I think I am pretty much the 'Saudi Contingent' (Riyadh branch) unless somebody pops their head above the parapet to claim otherwise?
If you want to see some petrol head action Saudi style, I can recommend Tahlia St, weekend evenings. Push the boat out and grab a coffee or a mocktail. Don't worry if the Gaydar keeps sounding, you will get used to it.
I can recommend sanity breaks to Bahrain and Dubai, I'm not long back from break in Dubai and only just getting over post brunch hangover. Bahrain driveable in 3.5 hours + however long they want to keep you at causeway checkpoints (2 hours is our record worst, 10 mins best during the height of the rioting).
Buy a big engined car and run it with impunity. I still feel like a thief every time I fill the tank.
If you need any more help/advice, ask away, this place gets a lot of bad press with good reason, you've just got to swing with it and work the contacts.
B
I have three stints working in Riyadh over the last 6 years (done 2 weeks a month for 1 year twice and 4 months solid). Agree on getting the biggest engined car you can and just laugh when you fill the thing up.
Used to rent a quad bike for an hour every Friday I was there (SAR 100 for the hour) and rode it like I had stole it. Well you didn't need to use the clutch to change gear, in fact you could leave it gear and it wouldn't stall. Sadly where we used to go has closed down.
Golf is an optioin as there are a few course around Riyadh (Dirab in the south, Riyadh in the north and Arizona compound).
Liquid refreshment is available in selected locations......
Used to rent a quad bike for an hour every Friday I was there (SAR 100 for the hour) and rode it like I had stole it. Well you didn't need to use the clutch to change gear, in fact you could leave it gear and it wouldn't stall. Sadly where we used to go has closed down.
Golf is an optioin as there are a few course around Riyadh (Dirab in the south, Riyadh in the north and Arizona compound).
Liquid refreshment is available in selected locations......
Chilli said:
Also rather liked the tip about getting to Dubai for a sanity break!
Yep. Says a lot, that statement.BTW, how do you get quoted text in those neat little boxes?, I've looked at 'formatting help' but to me its just a baffling list of words and symbols, none of which say "to put a box around...etc"
An IT expert, I am not.
shirt said:
when you quote someone and delete parts, you need to keep the bits in [square brackets] one says quote=shirt, the other /quote
What. Like this?Hoorah!
Thanks guys, couldn't have done it without you, off to update my CV now.
Sorry OP, OT for a while there but seriously if you need any advice, give me a nudge.
B
Edited by Roland E Odorant on Tuesday 7th June 16:06
Edited by Roland E Odorant on Tuesday 7th June 16:16
Thanks for the replies and advice, been here a month now and getting used to the 'Saudi way'.
Had a few fraught moments on the roads (including getting lost at night right out in the sticks for 1.5 hours, wearing shorts) but overall am getting used to the place.
Running a work car at the moment - Camry 2.4. Competent. Dull. I need my own car!
Had a few fraught moments on the roads (including getting lost at night right out in the sticks for 1.5 hours, wearing shorts) but overall am getting used to the place.
Running a work car at the moment - Camry 2.4. Competent. Dull. I need my own car!
Glad you seem to be settling in here, it gets a lot of bad press but contrary to popular belief it is possible to have an acceptable time without going stir crazy. It is never going to be as lively as Dubai or Bahrain but there is stuff out there if you are prepared to look for it.
Buggering off to Dubai and Bahrain regularly helps, too.
Buggering off to Dubai and Bahrain regularly helps, too.
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