Arabia Yet to See – Jazan

The perception Arabia has in the global eye has remained too conventional, or naïve, to say the least. What generally does one think of visiting Arabia? Vast deserts with Bedouin tribes herding cattle and sheep, a couple of oil-centered cosmopolitan bigwigs surging in rapid urbanized development and of course, an overwhelming abundance of date palm fields. But this never was the truth. Saudi Arabia is not just centered on being the Islamic hub for the world to host pilgrimage; it has features devolved from numerous states having a lot more to discover. In short, there’s so much to it that it would be wise to declare Saudi Arabia as the unseen Arabia.

There are numerous states to choose from for a visit but the one place on priority which will surely turn the tables of preference is Jazan, Arabia’s smallest province centered around one city. Jazan is on the southwest corner of Arabia alongside the Red Sea, housing a seaport, natural beauty and Arabian heritage all in one region. As it borders with Syria, taking Sanaa flights would take you nearest to Jazan. From there the remainder of the journey is by road.

Extending beyond the shores of Jazan are the Farasan islands. From up above, the crevices of rock spread on the sea surrounding these islands would rather appear like a mosaic arranged between two colors, as all the rocks have the same pallid contrast. The porous texture is uniform too, making it appear spongy, only hard if not soft.

Farasan islands are directed to have extensive coral growth, making it the Arabian hub for scuba diving and snorkeling. Call it exclusivity for lack of a better term, the lone drawback is that the entire islands host only one option for a stay; The Farasan hotel. Although well set with full furnished interior and ample amenities to base a vacation, the hotel conventionally runs out of space  and thus has a norm for remaining booked out.

With Jazan bordering the Saudi Arabian coast, it has many villages relying on the sea as a means of living. You may accompany the locals on a fishing trip aboard one of their traditional wooden boats. There are secluded white-sand beaches perfect for a stroll in certain areas, where the seawater is generally found clean in its original shade of turquoise blue. These days such beaches isolated from the congestion of tourists are almost impossible to find.

Arabic traditions have bonded with this nation for centuries. You’ll routinely come across the offer of hospitality from shopkeepers, roadside vendors to sit with them and attend to a session of qaiwah, the Arabic word for green tea. It’s the norm to socialize along with a couple of fresh dates amply grown on the soil’s desert palms.  Other than that, the staple Arabic diet is mostly based on an aromatic combination of pulses, rice and chicken, so you won’t need to fear adapting to any alienated or spicy dishes.

The simmering beat of drums is synonymous with the musical identity Arabia withholds to all ears. Falconers at work in the wild desert are a fascinating watch, with birds of prey foreboding enough to give a steely stare for anyone likely to approach them. On moral grounds, the Islamic teachings well-embedded in the social structure do reflect the discipline of routine living. Decency and modesty are revered with respect within the community, which clearly highlights the pertained wisdom for the intellectual well-being and harmony to foster open hospitality. 

An off-roading experience over paved paths for four wheeled driving will lead you to the Lajb Valley in Jazan. The towering rocky mountains are steeply closed together to form a ravine, which lets most of the valley fall in an insinuatingly cool cover of shade. With the presence of freshwater stream, the earth remains moist. At certain places the water collects to form natural pools at the feet of the large rocks, tempting enough to dip your legs while you lay back in utter disregard of any psychological stress.