Исследуйте старую Джидду, Аль-Балад

What a fabulous area. It is amazing.. historical building s and new modern buildings blend so well together. A must see.. thankfully many of the very old buildings are being renovated to preserve them. Truly wonderful. Back for a visit today as temperatures have dropped. Still just amazing. Such a lot of work completed on restoration of old buildings.

The first question anybody would ask when visiting here is why such a rich country would let their most historical city fall to pieces in front of their eyes? The old centre is a ghost town of rotting stone and timbers that has just recently become a construction site. I suggest coming back in another 20 years and hopefully it’s in better shape then. However, sadly, it’s one of the few things worth doing in Jeddah so you will probably come here regardless, wander around, and think how sad it all is. After talking to a local I was told that everyone was moved out. Very good. It’s a danger now. One day I am sure it will be fabulous. What gets me though is just how much of Jeddah is ugly dirty and dysfunctional. Obviously, it’s not deemed necessary to put any serious money into urban beautification (even upkeep). I get the feeling I’m walking in a third world city. Why no civic pride?

It is huge movement to turn the old city into a tourist hub, by restoring old buildings and turn them into shops. This place smells history and roaming around it reminds you of fabulous simple architecture, traditional businesses and the close proximity of those days among people and entities. One point to take into consideration is that the weather is humid

I had such fun visiting Al Balad. It took me back to my first experiences in Arabia in Muscat In the Muttrah Souq. I am so glad that this place is being preserved. It will be a huge tourist draw. I used the Spider motorized vehicle that was on offer at the entrance in order to get around the old city. The thing is not meant to climb steep inclines and I had to abandon it up on the hill by a coffee shop. It was all part of the adventure of the day!

What a fabulous area. It is amazing.. historical building s and new modern buildings blend so well together. A must see.. thankfully many of the very old buildings are being renovated to preserve them. Truly wonderful