Riyadh and it also has its own domestic airport. Once in Hofuf we made our way through dense date farms on the outskirts of the city, with the road getting narrower and the trees getting denser as we progressed. Just before we reached Jabal Qara, auburncolored rocky hills started to appear in the landscape amidst palm trees. It was a bit difficult to find. Our navigation apps were malfunctioning and we got lost in the dirt tracks that ran by the farms. Yet in the end we ultimately managed to reach it. We saw the marvelous Jabal Qara rising amidst dense palm trees. The surrounding areas of the mountain are going through major beautification works, making the place more tourist friendly; with lights being installed on pathways, railings being put up on the pavements and a restaurant being built near the entrance of the caves.
Upon entering the dark and narrow entrance of the mountain, we found that it had surprisingly cool air blowing through it on a hot day. The caves are said to be cold in summer and warm during winter, making it a favorite hangout spot for locals. We then walked through tall, linear cave passages and narrow ravines, which led us to a d ark cavern that had bits of light piercing through shafts. It almost seemed like a set of an Indiana Jones movie, truly picturesque!
Locals say that this is the den of Ali Baba - from the popular folktale “Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves.”
The caves are of an uneven height, so stairs have been installed at some places. We climbed a long flight of stairs onto an elevated sunlit portion of the caves. As we continued exploring the place, the caves got progressively narrower and darker. We then came across a crack in the cave so narrow that we barely made through it and reached a den.
There were tourists walking up the slippery slopes of the mountain to the mountaintop, from where there’s a better view of the oasis. But we had to visit other places in Hofuf before sunset thus didn’t have time to make the strenuous journey to the top. With little time left on our side we briefly explored the intriguing rock formations outside the caves.
As we continued to explore the labyrinth, we constantly found ourselves reaching dead ends. It was then we realized that we have reconnoitered the entire place and hence, decided to head back. After finding our way back from the dark maze-like caves we got an amazing view of the innumerable palm trees that inundated the mountain.
It was a bit difficult to find, our navigation apps were malfunctioning so we got lost in the dirt tracks that ran by the farms. Yet in the end we ultimately managed to reach it. We saw the marvelous Jabal Qara rising from the midst of dense palm trees.
DESTINATIONRYD.COM 79