I Enter SAUDI ARABIA!! 🇸🇦 But I’m Being Followed.. 🚔
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 ธ.ค. 2022
- Day 278. 107km (69090kms)
Emerging from the comfy dark store room in which I’d slept, I felt a level of trepidation but also optimism about the day ahead. In the Pakistani restaurant I held out the last of my Dirhams (not counting the D1000 note!) in a gesture of asking what it would buy. I received a paratha, omelette and a chai, but found I couldn’t really stomach it. Instead I wrapped up the remainders and set off for the last 20kms to the border.
Dressed already in my Iranian cycling gear, I dumped my empty wine box, added a baggy T-shirt and switched into baggy trousers. The dress code for Saudi Arabia is shoulders and knees covered in loose-fitting clothing. Hijab is not compulsory, but I added one for the border crossing.
On the UAE side at the first row of immigration booths I was told the border could not be crossed by bicycle!! WHAT?! They shrugged suggesting I try but that I’d probably be turned back. But after this and my concerns about lack of inward UAE stamp I left the country without issue.
On the Saudi side I entered a bustling but orderly room resembling an embassy’s visa office. A coach-load of people charged in and were summarily marched back out by security. Again, I was directed to the front and a man with kind eyes beckoned me, took my fingerprints, photograph, and without any fuss stamped my passport! I was in!! I couldn’t believe how easy it was! But then at the next checkpoint I was directed inside a waiting room where I remained for about an hour. I was given coffee, but no explanation of the delay. My intentions in Saudi were questioned, my Qatari Hayya card checked, my bags rummaged through - was I carrying any jewellery, vapes or other smoking paraphernalia? - water bottles sniffed and then I was set free into Saudi Arabia!
Almost immediately - not even 5kms later - I was stopped by traffic police who took my passport for checking. I found the wait excruciating after the delays at the border; there was still 100kms to ride today. But again I was let go.
At a service station I was delighted to find a hotel who kindly allowed me to use their wifi and here ANOTHER traffic police man found me (how did he find me?!) checked my plans and told me I would be escorted to the Qatari border. My security detail switched twice over the next 60kms, but there was no wriggling out of it “Saudi drivers are crazy” they told me. “But I’ve cycled from London! Through Italy and Turkey and Iran!” There was no negotiation; “captains orders”.
I love the landscape here; the sand dunes are literally rolling into the highway engulfing the ‘WARNING Sand Dunes’ signs.
At a later servo break this particular pair wanted to hurry me along whilst also requesting to video me for their social media. Of course I could not film them back. I wonder if escorting me down the highway at 20kms/hr is a fun easy assignment for them or a complete drag. I should’ve stocked up on food here as it turns out the following service station where I camped is nothing more than the shell of a previous Shell. No food, no water, no nothing except for a couple of Bangladeshi lads working the one pump. My security detail checked I was ok, what time I’d be leaving, and if I had food, which I did not. Later, to my utter delight the Bangladeshi lads brought me pre-packaged pastries, and drinks, and stayed for a chat. It all feels quite intense but I cannot say I’ve not been looked after in Saudi Arabia!
Phenomenal day!
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#saudiarabia #travel #roadtoqatar2022
Enjoy the Saudi hospitality and safe travels!
Thank you!! 🚴🏻♀️🇸🇦🎉
The one who follows you is called road security and takes care of your safety and they do this with everyone until you arrive safely, so don't think that you are special or that the police want evil for you. If there is a problem for you on the way, call them and they will come to help even if you are in the middle of the desert they will leave you if enter the city safley you need to understand that
Thank you, yes, I’m in contact with serval bike-tourers currently riding around Saudi Arabia; some have escorts some of the time, some not at all. I was wondering if bring a solo woman meant they would feel I would need more support..
@@helsonwheels Its not so much to do with being a female or you are in danger of other people, its more to do if you faint because of the heat or other natural things.
😁 I’ve cycled 70,000kms in far tougher conditions than a Saudi winter! But after seeing some of the driving around here, I’m not complaining! I certainly felt at much less risk of being involved in a road traffic accident whilst I had the highway patrol behind me 👍🏼🇸🇦
what a sexist comment 'don't think you are special' be quiet.
@bluebellbeatnik4945 😁 hopefully it was just an English-as-second-language thing. I certainly felt pretty special in Saudi ☺️ 🇸🇦🚴🏻♀️
Road safety people are there to help when you are in trouble, for anyone on the road.
Enjoy your time and feel welcome.
Thank you! I’ve been made very welcome in Saudi already, many thanks! 🚴🏻♀️🇸🇦🎉
I'm in Saudi arabia since 1 year and really I like the locals and their attitudes with others I'm in makkah I only visited jaddah and albaha i hope explore many places in the future
Yes, I’m very keen to see more of the country 🇸🇦🚴🏻♀️
The police are so awesome in saudi arabia they are friendly.
Yep I’m very excited to see more of the country! 😍🇸🇦🚴🏻♀️
the media is full of lies we are not dumb or backwards we just dont like most of the western lifestyle
but for a non muslim woman like you we will protect you like one of owm women
feel safe but be careful @@helsonwheels
Big love to the Saudi Arabia people 🥰❤️
Yay! So happy to be here! 🇸🇦🎉🚴🏻♀️
thanks for the new adventures hels❤
You’re welcome!! Thanks for watching! 😃
Yeah usually Road Police "State Police in the US" in KSA, when it follows someone and stops by someone, it is mostly considered escort or protection rather than threatening, Saudi police have a different operational mindset compared to Americans.
Oh yeah to be clear this was in no way threatening! On the contrary they were friendly and smiling
Is Saudi a police state?
I can tell you there’s security cameras pointed *everywhere* in the UAE but having not been to a Saudi city yet I can’t comment on the surveillance situation there..
Sounds par for the course around here 🤷🏻♀️
Happy and safe travels Hels
Thank you! 🇸🇦🎉🚴🏻♀️
I’m so glad you got over the border relatively easy 👍
Yep! In hindsight it seems the delay was bike/solo woman related.. but I’ve only been met with kindness 🇸🇦🎉
In fact, I encountered a problem when I was traveling two years ago, and it was getting late. I was scared because I am a woman, but road security came and they were able to help me. I was grateful and felt safe.
Yes, at first I resented the traffic cops following me, but once I started being followed by men in unmarked cars I preferred - and actively called up the traffic cops - to ride with me!
Road Police car for your safety because there is no bike path. So you will find a police car standing behind you so that a speeding car does not come and hit you ❤️🇸🇦
It’s a very generous service, I’ve cycled 69000kms through 40 countries without such escorts so it doesn’t seem necessary, but certainly I felt safer with the car behind me, even cycling in the shoulder..
its not police car these are "road security" امن الطرق" in arabic their job is too look after travlers in long roads and help them ,thier presence only in long roads between the states and cities.
Ah thank you, that’s good to know 😊
@@helsonwheels
also there is a long story for thier creation,in 70s there was a famous bandet that cut long roads and steals the goods his name was " rashash" there was a recent tv series remarking him and his deeds at that time there was only two police department the traffic police and the normal police however their jurisdictions out of there state or city is limtied and will call the other city state too look for him which took a lot of time and effort and it was not practical so the gov try to combine the two deprtamint in what was called "Comprehensive security" still did not work since the job of those two department are totally different then the gov see to create a totally new department called "road security" for road safety and security,the normal patrol like this in the video their job now is just too look after the travlers and help them , however if they need to arrest dangerous criminal they send "fast response road security unit" with in fully tactical gear,
Thank you so much for this! Fascinating! I’m happy to hear their specific job is on the road as I was worried I was dragging them away from their desks to accompany me 😆🚔
Happy new country Hels 🚴🏕️✌️
Wahoooo!! 🇸🇦🎉 thank you!!
Well hello, I will be happy to visit you in Asir, southwestern Saudi Arabia
Thank you so much! Sadly I think I don’t have time to go that far south on this occasion 😒
Helo dear, Helen have a nice and happy trip in Saudi Arabia 😘👍👍
Thank youuuuuuu!! 🇸🇦🎉🚴🏻♀️
@@helsonwheels You are welcome and I wish you a good Christmas in advance 🥰👍👍
Thank you very much! Middle Eastern Christmas coming up! 🧐 🎅🏼
ماشاء الله تبارك الله
شكرا لكم السلام عليكم
Good luck
Thank you! 😃🚴🏻♀️🤞🏼🇸🇦
That really made me chuckle, been followed all the way across SA by the police. Hopefully they're not parked up behind your tent at night with flashing lights 🚔 🤪
😂🤣🤣 so long as they bring a disco ball 🪩😂
They’re traffic police and they were “following” her on the highway to ensure her safety because there are many reckless drivers on our highways who drive 20-60 km/ph above the speed limit. They deserve respect for this not to be laughed at.
Nobody’s laughing at the traffic police, but rather the absurdist image of an imaginary police car parking behind a tent with flashing lights all night
@@helsonwheels Alright then, I guess it’s the cultural difference in humor
I suppose so, I appreciate your comment and understanding 🙂 it’s a terrible thing to cause offence by accident when a joke just doesn’t translate 😣
Those are "road police" you could compare them to state troopers. Bicycling on these roads is crazy to be honest, they did good by escorting you.
The road is not busy, the shoulder is wide. I’ve ridden far worse!
Absolutely I can’t fault the generosity of the service, just unsure how much it will impede on my experience of the country. Hopefully once I reach quieter roads I can ride unescorted
@@helsonwheels trust me if you are inside any city they won't care unless you need a ride or water or any sort of help in Saudi police are not there to give tickets or shoot you they are there to actually help and protect. good luck & stay safe.
Thank you very much! I look forward to returning to Saudi in the next few days 😃🚴🏻♀️🇸🇦
i think it will be fun if we have cycling road
Or just some bike paths even?
Thank you police 👮♂️ for help 🎉❤
Thank you indeed! 👍🏼🌟🚔
Welcome to ksa
Hoorayyyy!! 🇸🇦🎉🚴🏻♀️ thank you! Very happy to be here 😃
that's so bewitching hack yeahhh💚💚 🌍
😃🇸🇦🚴🏻♀️🎉 I feel very lucky to be here, despite the warnings about drivers.. 😬
Thanks heaps! Yeah I hear from other cyclists that some of the roads are pretty dangerous, so I’ll need to choose wisely..
our sand storms are no joke
No I can vouch for that! See tomorrow’s vid! 💨🚴🏻♀️
Welcome 🇸🇦🤍😊
Yaaaaay! 🇸🇦🎉🎉 thank you so much! 😃
Delighted you got in.....more sand!?
Slightly off piste question but how come you don't wear glasses (sun)?
Yeah, simply bc my phone’s face recognition doesn’t work with sunnies on so I have to annoyingly type in my code every time.
Will have to start wearing them though as the wind picks up in the sand..
we are not used to cycling people lol i am sure they got worried the road are not ready
Yeah got the most part the shoulders are nice are nice and wide, only occasionally are they in too bad a state to ride. The real cycling problems are in the cities (and that’s where I don’t have traffic police supervision)
I like your lifestyle.
Thank you! Me too ☺️🚴🏻♀️🤙🏼
Welcome to Saudi, hope you had nice time there .. but I don't know why you were like.. Omg!! I’m in Saudi Arabia.. I can't believe it.. I didn't face any issues..etc.
What is weird of being in Saudi Arabia, and why you assumed facing any troubles in the first place
Did I describe it as a weird feeling? More accurately I was excited and amazed to be there: tourist visas have only been available since 2018 after all..
The only trouble I was potentially expecting was on entry because I’d made an error on my visa application.
But I think I understand what you’re driving at; yes many westerners have said things to me along the lines of - ‘be careful in Saudi Arabia’ etc.. so I look forward to portraying my experiences in Saudi when I return in the new year, to a western audience who often have little knowledge or firsthand experience of the country ☺️🇸🇦🚴🏻♀️
@@helsonwheels Before the tourist visa. 40% of the population of Saudi Arabia are foreigners from all over the world, this includes tens of thousands of western expats, so we were not isolated country before the tourist visa, not to mention receiving millions of pilgrims from every country in the world for centuries.
Please do me a favor and tell the "many westerners" who advised you to save some energy and keep this advice to those who are willing to visit Europe or the US, since Saudi is by far safer and more welcoming than any western country
I’m sorry, I don’t understand why you seem to be annoyed by my excitement at visiting Saudi Arabia. So far I’ve felt universally welcomed so I’m bewildered by your apparent negativity..
no it's not weird to expect facing troubles. are you a woman? have you travelled the world as a woman? do you understand the crimes against women? okay. i hope you don't have daughters be cause i feel sorry for them. it's like you don't understand the lives of women.
@@helsonwheels it's because he's sexist.
ps we do have wild animals they stay far but it is up to your luck
Fingers crossed then! 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼
U are so welcome 🙏🏻 in 🇸🇦
Police 👮♀️ car 🚘 for your safety in highway rod only ♥️
Hi! 👋🏼 thank you! Ah-ha, that explains it, thanks! 😁👍🏼
Welcome, do not rush back, you have come in the best time to visit the center, west and northwest of the Kingdom (Riyadh, Jeddah, Al-Ula, Al-Disa and all the beaches of the Red Sea near Tabuk, such as Qayal Beach and the rest of the beaches of the Neum region. In the summer you must return to the south of the Kingdom..
Thank you! Yes I’m very excited to visit all these places! And glad the weather is perfect for it now 😎🚴🏻♀️
is "followed" the best discerption? or is "escorted" better?
Well they were at all times behind me rather than in front of me so yes, ‘followed’ is factually accurate.
I’m certain you understand the importance of clickbaity titles on TH-cam though no?
@@helsonwheels yeah i get the clickbaitiness .. I’m glad you enjoyed your stay here .. but we’re kinda tired of people tarnishing the reputation of this country to score some fictional points with the public of wherever they’re from .. i hope you understand my point ..
Did you watch the video?
LOL it's traffic police 🤣
😁 so I’ve since learned! 😜
The policeman behind you are the road security police present on the way to travel
Yes, they were very friendly. I hope escorting me at 20kms/hr isn’t too boring for them! 😆
In fact, this is not the police, this is the road safety police. To ensure the safety and security of travelers only
Good to know there is a department dedicated to that so my presence isn’t interfering with more important things! 😁
You are most welcome, sorry if you felt that the police escort was distasteful , it wasn’t because you are a woman, they obliged to do that to any biker, because the road isn’t safe for bikers , they do that to anyone even Saudi bikers.
I wish you safe travels.
Hi! Noooo! Not at all! They were all very considerate and friendly, I was just worried that I would be escorted EVERYWHERE for 2 months around Saudi Arabia!
Bikes are allowed only in cities because there are still undeveloped roads between the cities
You’re saying bikes are not allowed on roads between cities? 🤔 You sure about that?
@@helsonwheels all im saying is highway roads between the cities are not developed as roads in cities. Never seen a cyclist in highways, so i think it's not allowed because there's no special road for cycling on those roads, plus it gets very sandy with strong winds sometimes.
So far as I’m aware from speaking with Saudi Tourism, the traffic police, and border police, it is allowed 😜 Though the country is still quite new to tourism, there are cyclists in Saudi; I’m aware of a few, one one of whom I’m hoping to meet on the road to Riyadh.. watch this space! 🚴🏻♀️
@@helsonwheels right there's a lot of cyclists here. im aware of that 👍🏼 never seen them on highways tho. You're more than welcome in my country 🇸🇦👑 Please consider it ur second home 🚴🏼♀️🫶🏼🌹
Thank you! I’ve felt entirely welcomed in Saudi 🇸🇦
مرحبا بك في السعودية 🌹🌹🌹🌹
I’m so sorry it won’t let me copy paste to translate.. but I think the last words are ‘..in Saudi’ so I think you are welcoming me? In which case, many thanks! 🚴🏻♀️🇸🇦🎉
your so beautiful 🤍
No 😆 but I’m strong, healthy & happy, doing what I love 🚴🏻♀️🌍👌🏼
@@helsonwheels no you are beautiful so beautiful & strong & healthy & happy
Ha! Thank you 😊
NOW YOU SEE ALL THE STUF YOU HEAR ABOUT SAUDI IS GARBAGE AMAZING PLACE IN SHA ALLAH ME AND MY WIFE GET TO MOVE THERE AND LIVE THERE FOR REST OF OUR LIVES
Inshallah 🇸🇦🙂 Very good people in Saudi. But I found being followed against my will by the authorities more than a little disturbing..
People drive like crazy in those roads! The road police used their back light to prevent potential accidents! Pretty sure that what it was. xD Hope you enjoy your travel.
Thanks very much! Yep so far I’ve really only experienced highways in Saudi I’m looking forward to visiting some cities and towns 🇸🇦🚴🏻♀️
YOU CAN FIL IM SAUDI IVE NEVER SEEN POEPLE HAVE ISSUES IT FUNNY HOW MNAY MI SONCEPTIONS TEHRE ARE MORE FREEDOM TO FILM IS SAUDI THAN IS USA THAT FOR SURE
I don’t know about restrictions on filming in US, but certainly filming was not an issue in Saudi (with individual’s prior consent of course). There are limits on one can *say* in Saudi though..
First of all you can wear shorts and slim clothes, and second they have no rights to tell you that you can’t film them just because they are police 😂, unless if the don’t want to appear in the vid, you are sweet and respectful, you are welcome anytime to do whatever you want in this country 🙏♥️
Hi! 👋🏼 thank you very much! 🇸🇦🎉 I’m sure over the next couple of months I’ll get a feel for proper clothing and behaviour etc. better to be more conservative to begin with though ☺️
Here in Saudi we respect the authority - police/what ever -and they as well respect us and we don't play games with each other.
So no video means no with respect. O.K means O.K with respect.
I’m not sure I completely understand, but I can confirm my experience with the police escorts was that they were very kind and respectful, and I hope I was too 🙂
I see you are polite and a respectful person and we are happy to see such people visiting. What I'm talking about is the idea of 'they have no right to tell you that you can't film them'.
With the authority we here trust and obey, and be helpful as much as possible. They are here to help us and we try to make their job easy.
Ah yes I see, thanks for taking the time to explain 😄 Looking forward to returning to Saudi for a proper visit 🚴🏻♀️🇸🇦🤞🏼
Your being escorted not followed
Welll.. they were behind me.. 😎
enjoy
Thank you! 🇸🇦😃🎉