Bush camp Oman to Bush Camp Saudi Arabia,  November 29, 2022

We were on the road by 7:20, anticipating a long border process but we were into Saudi in 3.5 hours.  It was a huge crossing, very modern as just opened in 2021, but we were the only people there except for a few truckers.  We women had to completely cover up - not something I enjoy but it’s freezing in the coach so I’m comfortable now all dressed up.  

We are driving through the Rub al Khali Desert, also known as the Empty Quarter.  It’s the largest contiguous desert in the world.  We have about 1000 km to Bahrain.  

 Along the way-

Sand-

and more sand-

Goofing around-

The Department of Highway’s must have a huge budget as there are 2 mileage signs every 10 km-

We drove for miles and miles with only the odd very large parking pull off and no other way to leave the highway.  There are a few cops on the side of the road and we have to go 90 km past them-

For many kilometres, there’s a sand fence like our snow fences on either side of the road.  There are also tractors with buckets doing maintenance; clearing drifted sand off the shoulders and in some cases the highway itself-

Pretty obvious!  

We stopped for lunch at the only sign of civilization in 400 km - a gas station, prayer rooms of course, a restaurant and a small shop.  I can’t imagine living there, truly in the middle of no where.  Carrying on the Color of the sand changed from red to white-

We eventually found a campsite next to salt lakes-

I went for a walk across what appeared to be a dried up area but broke through the salty crust.  There’s water underneath but it’s not deep.

More driving tomorrow as we make our way to Bahrain.