Judah’s Thumb January 29, 2024 🇸🇦
We decide to make the trip to Riyadh in two stages and use the iOverlander app to find a spot to park. After a bit of searching, we settle on a spot a little over 170 km away. In the middle of nowhere, a rock formation rises up in the shape of a thumb—or, as it’s known, Judah’s Thumb. This spot is famous, but today it’s almost deserted, and we have the magical atmosphere almost all to ourselves. The “almost” refers to a family—or rather, a huge group of children with their mothers—who, of course, immediately invite us in for tea and pastries. As always, the questions start: Where are we from? Where are we headed? What do you like about it here? And so on. It’s a really fun gathering, but suddenly it’s time to hit the road. We still have to make our way back to Dammam. Loaded down with pastries and tea, we know for sure… we won’t need dinner tonight.
Devil’s Cave, January 30, 2024 🇸🇦
Waking up in this setting is simply magical! The rock formations are truly impressive, and the tranquility (before the storm => Riad) is a delight. A short hike through Devil’s Caves reveals yet another side of this unique setting. Around 10:00 a.m., we set off again—we still need to find water and fill the water tank, empty the toilet, and pump air back into the tires (a bit of a bumpy road is usually the price you pay for beautiful places…). And on we go for 270 km toward Riyadh. The drive is pretty uneventful; we pass endless lines of trucks, and camels and sand dunes remind us that we’re still in the desert. We keep ourselves entertained with the game “Who can spot the worst driver?”
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