Where are you going this Haj season? Well, there's always Al-Khobar or Jeddah. If you want something nearer, Red Sand and Wadi Hanifa. And there's Khamsa-Khamsa!
We didn't know what this is at first, apart from the English translation of the Arabic word "khamsa" which means FIVE. What's up with five-five?! My father even wrongly heard it as "khabsa-khabsa." Khabsa being the chicken and rice dish that is popular here in Saudi Arabia. The conversation went something like this:
Father: Where are we going next? (after the Eyes of Al-Seeh escapade)
Friend: Sir, sa khamsa-khamsa na lang.
Father: Ah o sige. Okay dun.
Me: Nakapunta na kayo dun?
Father: Hindi pa pero gutom na ako eh.
Me: Gutom? May pagkain ba dun?
Father: Syempre, khabsa-khabsa nga eh!
Me: HUH?! Ang sabi, khamsa-khamsa!!!
Another LOL moment after the meteorite sighting in Al-Kharj. So what is Khamsa-Khamsa exactly? It turns out that it's sort of a place, a mini resort in the area of Hair where Filipinos go to unwind over the weekend. And why khamsa? Because you need to pay SR5 as entrance fee.
Picnic hutsThere are a lot of things to do here but people primarily flock to have picnic and grill some chows, play "street" basketball at a dirt, rough court, and belt it out in the videoke. And of course, have kodakan moments (lots of it). When we went there last Eid vacation, there was even halo-halo for sale. The weather was warm and the sun was shining ablaze! It's better to go during the Haj vacay because the winter is slowly creeping in the city (brrrr!).
Great for BBQing!If the picnic ground is full, you can take your vehicle on a dirt path near the cliffs and settle on make shift sheds beside boulders and rocks.
Parang fiesta lang sa barangay! :)If you don't have time to stay, just gaze upon the low ridges and cliffs located on the other side. The gorge is dry but the scenery is different from the usual sea of sand.
Where's the hanging bridge now?Our impromptu tour guide told us that it was more beautiful before. There was a wishing well and a hanging bridge. The well is dry now and the bridge has been reduced to merely scaffolding. We left the place early so we did not know any other activities that can be done there. Any other khamsa-khamsa frequenters here? Share your experiences in the comment area. And please do share what you are doing during the Haj vacation.
§undrenched
PS. Just an info guys, malls will be closed on Tuesday, November 16, 2010, as per Eyecandy's friends from her fave shops. ;)
7 had something to say:
This blog post of yours just saved me a one-hour drive to the malls of Khobar. Thanks for the tip. Happy holidays to you guys! (my husband only gets a couple of days off, snif snif)
been there yesterday and the place is jammed, too much kabayan.
i dont like it there. will never go back I swear!!!
i dont like it there. will never go back i swear
@Kala: Hope you enjoyed your first Hajj holiday in Saudi Arabia! :)
@ON Llarena: The place tends to get really crowded, especially during weekends and long vacation. When S and her family went there, they too just looked around (because it was there first time) to see what the hype on the place is and left after the few minutes.
@Krishna: Why don't you like it there? Many kabayans go there to chill and relax. However, as ON said, it gets too jampacked. Photography clubs also go there to shoot the scenery. Well, desert scenery that is. :)
Hi ..I wish to go there with my family tomorrow morning but I really don't have any idea where it is located.maybe you can help me by giving a gps coordinate or any helpful direction and what time the place will open.
Appreciate your highly assistance
Alvin
Hi Alvin, thanks for reading The Pink Tarha. Unfortunately, we haven't been to Khamsa Khamsa again after this visit. The friends in our convoy were the ones who lead us to the place so we don't know the exact location, much more the GPS coordinates. All we know is it's somewhere in Ha'ir. People at the Cameraderie Riyadh Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/91797459570/) might be able to help you as some of them go there for photo shoots.
We apologize if we couldn't help you further. Have a nice time with your family!
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