Top 5 Date Ideas In Riyadh (For Married Couples Only)

I have no entry planned for today because you know us, we don't really celebrate Valentine's Day in Saudi Arabia. Do you? I don't know about you but let's not attach "Valentine's" to anything we do on this day to avoid attracting the muttawas. 

However, the other day, I noticed a car in front of ours being harassed by the car beside it while we all waiting on a stop light. Local youths (please, I'm not discriminating because it's obvious they are Saudis) were shouting and holding out their IDs to the other car. I swear, they're IDs... with photos in them. Question, why? Do they have their numbers in there somewhere? And they didn't stop even if the people in the other car were ignoring them. They kept shouting, taunting, and pressing their car; nearly bumping into the other car. Seriously dudes, get a life! Learn how to take rejection well. 

Anyway, this entry is not about that incident. It's a good introduction though because some are getting desperate these days finding themselves with a decent date... but then if you can't be decent enough to introduce yourself, then really? You're expecting to get a decent date? So anyway... legal couples out there... you see how desperate unmarried people are in securing a date? Don't waste your opportunity to enjoy your time in Riyadh as married couples because you have every legal right (literal) to do so here in Saudi Arabia!

I know I should have published these ideas days before but you can try this all-year round! Haha, palusot! Okay so apart from going to dinner, here are my ideas:

1. Enjoy coffee under the desert sky and stars. 

Go to your favorite coffee shop and order take out mugs for you and your husband. There's no shortage of drive thru coffee shops in the city so go ahead and pick one that you pass by in the road. The more unfamiliar the better (shun away from the popular ones so you also get to try something new) and drive to the outskirts of Riyadh. Pick a spot in the desert; not too far from the main road but far enough to not be disturbed by the noise made by cars. Sit on a shawl or a blanket or a mat and enjoy each other's company. Talk anything and everything under the sun stars!

Meet a camel, if you haven't met one. No way, you haven't?! Haha! (via Google)

If you're up for more adventures on the same light, then book a desert safari tour. Check out SCTA-approved tour agencies like Masawife and Haya Tour. Or smaller groups like Riyadh Safari that can take you and your other couple friends.

2. Enjoy the city lights. 

Maybe natural lighting stars are not your thing? You have three viewing decks that I know of: The Skybridge in the Kingdom Tower (SR35 entrance fee, popular, busy, crowded), The Globe Experience in Faisaliah Tower (SR35 entrance fee, less crowded but cold at this time of the year), and The Water Tower (SR10 entrance fee, no crowd but old and cold). Did you know that it's beautiful up in these viewing decks? 

Bright lights

No matter where you choose to take your wife/husband, it will be a beautiful moment. And please, sit and stay. You're no longer a tourist in Riyadh who just comes and goes. You have all the time in the world to admire the city lights and have a good conversation. 

3. Enjoy the sky.

This time, you're really flying up in the air! There are aviation schools and companies in Riyadh that actually offers a one-day discovery flight for locals and expats. They mostly operate in the Thumama area. Try the Saudi Aviation Flight Academy's Discovery Flight (SR1,000) for a one hour flight in a state-of-the-art, technologically advanced aircraft with a certified flight instructor. It is expensive but remember what's said about spending more on experience than on things? This is worth considering if you have the money to spare for your honey.

4. Enjoy a hotel staycation.

Did you know that there are a lot of hotels right now which are offering discounted rates? Of course they're not published as Valentine's Day treat... but more of a honeymoon treat. You will probably consider this as a waste of money since you live in Riyadh. You pay rent to live in Riyadh. Why live somewhere else for a night and pay a whole month's worth of rent? Simply because you're worth it. I mean, is your flat or room a hotel suite? It's not every day that you get to splurge so check out the ideas from Destination Riyadh and Triperna's Ritz-Carlton offer. Find time to enjoy the finer things in life with the love of your life. 

Read Destination Riyadh

5. Enjoy indoor sports.

Like bowling, billiards, and badminton. The Universal Bowling Center is a good place to enjoy your night with your husband and wife. Ladies, lie low on the malls and treat your husbands to sports activities that they will enjoy. We've heard the bowling center in UBC features glow-in-the-dark alleys? How true? And they also have video arcades and Playstations for your gamer husbands. Bring it on! (Map here.)

UBC's bowling alley; credit to the photographer above

So in summary, enjoy your spouse's company in this very special day. You don't have to go through desperate measures to enjoy hearts day in Riyadh. You have the (wedding) license to do so. For the singles, check out Riyadh Acumen's Generosity Day. Do one good deed and you've already spread the love. Find out more here.

Sorry if I'm cutting this entry short because I seriously don't have anything more to say except maybe for... THE PINK TARHA LOVES YOU, RIYADHIZENS! :) ~ Sundrenched

Top 5 Sites For Online Learning

A lot of you have been asking us for more things and activities to do in Riyadh. While we are tempted to suggest some adventurous ones, we are currently on a calming down phase in our lives. No, seriously, we don't have the energy like what we used to have three years ago when we spend one whole day in the malls during the sale season or signing up on all the trips arranged by the workplace's social club. There, I admit that I'm getting old in every sense of that phrase. Nowadays, a dinner with family or friends is enough for me to distract me from the busy and boring days (they alternate from time to time) I'm having. 

With the Nitaqat and the labor laws in the Kingdom, many dependents have found themselves out of work. More wives became housewives and more people stayed at home. So what to do? Apart from the usual cooking, taking care of the family, reading, writing... what else? I say, learn something new! Study at your own pace! After all, there is no end to education. How? Online, of course!

Sampaguita Pride has discussed the University of the Philippines Open University before but this time, I'm writing about short classes that are usually free! Here are some online sites where you can take up a course or a craft or a few subjects. They're all popular nowadays and I've been getting some lessons from them too. Most of them are free that's why they're so nice to enroll in. 

1. SKILLSHARE

This is my favorite website because their classes are more on the creative side. The mission of Skillshare is to reunite learning with education and make it accessible to every single person in this planet. Anyone can learn anything, at any age, at an affordable cost, anywhere in the world. Their classes comprise of creative lessons that are taught by people who are doing them professionally coming into mind the quote "the world is a university and every one on it is a teacher." There's no memorization or taking of quizzes. Achievements are measured, not by certificates or diploma, but by the photos you take, the makeup you put, the cake you baked, or the website to you created.

Their classes range from Business, Advertising, Design, Fashion&Style, Film&Video, Food&Drink, Writing&Publishing, and Photography. You can check out all available classes here. Classes are divided into Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced so you know where to start. They use videos in their teaching methods so it's a self-paced process wherein your schedule depends on your free time! Awesomesauce! You also get a lifetime access to your classes. Paid classes are from $10-$25, pretty cheap if you think about it. They also have free classes once in a while so sign up now!

Skillshare: Learn from teacher you can relate to.

Some Interesting Classes: Hey Cool Shirt: Designing Effective Tshirt Graphics  | Launch A No Fail Business Model | Build a HTML and CSS Website From Scratch | Program iPhone Apps: Become an iPhone Developer | A Crash Course In Photographic Composition

I am currently enrolled in Mary Kate McDevitt's The First Steps of Hand-Lettering: Concept to Sketch (Lettering 1) and I'm enjoying it so far. My Sharpies and pens are put to use! I would like to enroll in ALL of Skillshare's classes!

2. COURSERA

When you want courses that are on the same page as you studied in college, then Coursera is the website for you. Actually, even subjects that are a mile long away from the one you graduated from, you can take here and they're all for FREE! Coursera is an education company that partners with top universities and organizations in the world to offer courses online. They have courses from Duke University, Standford University, John Hopkins University, Yale University and a lot more.

They offer a wide range of topics that you can learn any time, anywhere. Their categories includes Engineering, Biology, Chemistry, Economics&Finance, Law, Medicine, Mathematics, Social Sciences,and Humanities. Some of their courses are eligible for specialization certificates and verified certificates. There are courses in other languages too (check out the Arabic ones here). Most courses are open for a specific date only and run for several weeks so sign up early!

Coursera: The world's best courses online, for free.

Some Interesting Classes: How To Change The World (Wesleyan University) | Introduction to Public Speaking (University of Washington) | The Science of Gastronomy (HKUST) | Introduction to Finance (University of Michigan) | Fundamentals of Digital Image and Video Processing (Northwestern University)

I'm enrolling in Crafting an Effective Writer: Tools of The Trade (San Jacinto College) that starts on February 7 and will run for 5 weeks.

3. EdX

EdX is a lot like Coursera but they have Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology backing them up. EdX is a non-profit online initiative that offers interactive online classes from the world's best universities. You just have to choose the course or class you want to take, read the course prerequisites, register, and start studying online! All courses are FREE! Participating schools include Berkeley, University of Toronto, Kyoto University, Seoul National University, IIT Bombay, Peking University, and Dartmouth.

Topics includes Biology, Business, Chemistry, Science, Economics, Finance, Electronics, Engineering, Food&Nutrition, History, Humanities, Law, Literature, Math, Medicine, Music, Statistics, and more. Some courses start on a specific date and other courses, which are already finished, are only available as archive where you can watch the videos but some features are no longer available. Advance your knowledge and register now!

EdX: The world's best universities at your fingertips

Some Interesting Classes: Innovating In Health Care (Harvard University) | Terrorism and Counterterrorism (Georgetown) | Engineering Software as a Service (Berkeley) | Music in the 20th Century (Peking University) | Age of Globalization (Austin University)

Our former boss encouraged us to enroll in the Principles of Written English class from Berkeley University of California, I missed the starting date last January 23 but I guess I can still try.

4. KHAN ACADEMY

Khan Academy is one of the first online learning sites that provides free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere. All the resources are completely feee forever. Everyone - from student to teacher to principal to retired people - can find something of interest in Khan Academy. 

Topics include Math, Science, Economics and Finance, and Humanities. The provide an extensive library of content, including interactive challenges, assessments, and videos to aid students and coaches. Khan also provides statistics for you so you know how you are progressing on things. 

Khan Academy: Learn now!

Some Interesting Classes: GMAT Preparation | Entrepreneurship | World History

I want to try my hands on Drawing and Animation. Haha! I hope! Computer Programming seems so cool. So cool that it gets its own website...

5.  CODECADEMY 

Code Academy wants to open up knowledge, instead of university. It believes that the public school system we have is outdated. It wants to build the education the world needs and create an engaging educational experience that is outside the classroom. The Net is the present and the future and so we need to know a lot about it. 

Code Academy is backed by some great people and groups that help them in offering classes on HTML, Java, PHP, Ruby, Python, etc. including Union Square Ventures, Index Ventures, Thrive Capital, SV Angel, Vivi Nevo, Collaborative Fund and others. You can make mini HTMl and CSS projects in as fast as 30 minutes.

Codecademy: Learn to code interactively, for free

Some Interesting Classes: HTML & CSS (where you learn the building blocks of a website and create your own at the end of the course!) | Javascript (where you learn how to make your site interactive) | About You (make a website that is about you!) | Sun, Earth and Code!

I know I have to take that HTML and CSS course! Who knows? Maybe I can make The Pink Tarha into a website soon! Haha!

Other websites which are of interest are those which offers languages. 

Wanting to learn French or Spanish? Then Duolingo is for you! It's a fun way of learning a new language. The graphics and simplicity of the site is a great way to know foreign words! As of now, Duolingo only offers Spanish, French, Italian, German, and Portuguese. To learn, you get to translate documents from all over the world. You can also download the mobile app so you can continue learning on the go!

Duolingo: Master a second or third language!

On the other hand, Livemocha, the world's largest online language learning community, offers more languages. The learning process is more complicated but they have Arabic! You can join live instructor-led classes and choose from the 35 languages that are available to learn and master.

Livemocha: Beats coffee in conversations

I'm enrolled in French in Duolingo. So far, Bonjour, mon nom est Sundrenched! Sounds good? Haha! I know I should enroll in the Arabic class to prevent further curious stares from taxi drivers when I tell them I've been in the Kingdom for 6 years but still... mafi malum Arabi. Haha!

If you have $25 per month to spare then visit Lynda for more online classes. 

One big boredom buster is to pursue something that you want to know and learn and with all these courses and lessons online (and for FREE!), you don't have an excuse anymore. Wherever we are, let's continue feeding our minds! Let's be classmates! ;) ~ Sundrenched

The Top 5 Pink Tarha Experiences Of 2013

The year 2013 is coming to an end and here comes another dilemma: what to write for the all-important year-end entry? My brain is not properly functioning right now because of the booze and lechon (cholesterol mehhhn) I consumed during the holiday so I had to resort to Google for year-ender ideas. Of course there's always the new year resolutions but we Pink Tarhas are really not known for keeping up with ours so how can we advice you to do so? Then there's the best entries of the year but we've done that. Year-ender/opened messages? We've done that too! We even wrote individual entries. While we did that for the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013, the messages are still applicable now so you may want to read them again here: Sampaguita Pride, Shoegarfreeruby, Eyecandy, and Sundrenched.

Anyway, I decided to pick the top 5 Pink Tarha experiences we've had for 2013. I was reading a magazine a while ago and I stumbled upon this phrase, "People who spend money on experience instead of new things are happier over all." I couldn't help but agree. The Pink Tarha ladies have a lot of experiences in 2013 that we will never exchange for any gadget or any amount of clothes and shoes (well, we might have to ask Shoegarfreeruby again about this, hehe). Here are the best of what we had in 2013: 

1. TRAVELING TO MALDIVES 

Hands down the best travel experience we've had this year is going to the Maldives. It's a dream travel come true. First, because it's the first time our group of friends went on a trip together all at the same time to the same place. Second, because it's Maldives!!! C'mon, if you have one country in your bucket list, it would have to be this paradise. There were countless friends who approached and asked us about our trip to Maldives and they can't help but be inspired to save up and go there too. The fact that the islands of Maldives is said to be sinking might also double your efforts to go… hurry! 

We miss you, Maldives!

Other must travel destinations: SRI LANKA and THAILAND 

2. THE PINK TARHA MORNINGS GOES TO JEDDAH 

When we staged the Pink Tarha Mornings in Jeddah, one thing became very apparent: Men Loves The Pink Tarha. Okay, let me explain that (for the fear of a tough conservative might be reading this and misinterpret it). Unlike the TPTM Riyadh, the one in Jeddah was co-ed because Jeddah is more relaxed on their gender mixing rules (we're not abusing it though) and most of our participants were men (thanks to the PEBA officers who have been supportive since the beginning) and we love how active and eager they were. It actually inspired me to write an entry on why men should read The Pink Tarha. Another experience we value during our Jeddah tour is the chance to go to the Tent City and meet wonderful people who, despite of their hard circumstances, were still hopeful. We feel grateful for the opportunity to reach out and help in our own little ways. 

A memorable Pink Tarha Morning!

Realization and Lesson: A City in Gridlock

3. ATTENDING EVENTS IN RIYADH 

When we started this blog, we hardly get invites from events. It wasn't only because the blog was just a newbie; it was because events are rare, almost non-existent. But 2013 saw the boom of these events in the city, be it in fashion, beauty, bazaars, newly-opened restaurants, and coffee mornings. And we love attending these events because we get to meet interesting people and get to know their products and services. In a way, we saw how the event landscape in Riyadh has opened up to more people and has changed throughout the months. In turn, these are shaping Riyadh to be a cosmopolitan city with its traditions and values intact. To be a part of this burgeoning trend is priceless. 

More Riyadh events please!

Events We Love: GAP Be Bright, New Look AW2013, Creative Japan Fashion Flair, Best Of Britain Fashion Show, Riyadh Fashion Days

4. EATING WELL 

The restaurant scene in Riyadh leaves more to be desired. There are many world cuisines that are not yet represented but we're willing to wait. After all, some of the most interesting restaurants are already here; they're just waiting to be discovered. Take for example the hamburger that is being lined up for hours, the bubble tea that I drank day after day after day (it's already embarrassing), the most-talked about bread store, the restaurant that serves mostly chicken dishes, the Japanese restaurant that takes the cuisine up a notch, the steak house that renovated itself, the psychedelic Chinese restaurant that owns a building, etc etc! Readers often ask if we eat in these restos for free. Why, wouldn't it be AWESOME?! But no, we pay for our food just like you do most of the time and that's quite awesome too because we enjoy the food and the companionship of the friends we're with without thinking of the consequences. Of course, we do get invited by restaurants once in a blue moon and that's a pretty awesome blogger perk too. 

Yummy Riyadh!

Foodies Liked: Burger Boutique, Saison Du Pain, Garden Barbecue at the AlKhozama

5. MEETING YOU 

The experience of meeting readers all over Riyadh is priceless! Sometimes, we don't even meet you personally. Most of you just comment and message and we're still very much grateful. Sometimes, friends of friends bring up The Pink Tarha in conversations and meet ups. It's funny and awesome how we're all connected in more ways than one. I remember when I got back from Maldives and it was the first time my brother saw me, his first words weren't "How was your Maldives trip?" His first question was "Can I have one of your Pink Tarha mugs?" I asked him why and he said that his friend's wife reads the blog and he plans on giving the mug as a birthday gift. Haha! Or how the doctor of Shoegarfreruby's aunt actually asked her, "Do you know The Pink Tarha? They're Filipinos and they blog." Or how we just recently received an appreciation email from a reader just before the new year ushers in! Here's an excerpt of her email to us:

Hi there girls! I just want to let you know that I am an avid reader of your blog. Since I first set foot on Saudi, I searched for an informative blog and found The Pink Tarha. I just want to commend everyone of you because you have helped a lot of people especially fellow Filipinos who are trying to adopt to the Saudi lifestyle. I first came across your blog in 2011 and have been following everything until now. I also recommend your blog to visitors and first-timers, and to almost everyone that I know of. I know how appreciation works a long way. And in this simple way, I hope I have extended it to all of you. Well, gusto ko lang malaman nyo na marami kayong natutulungan at napapasaya. Keep up the good work! God bless you all.  

Lovelots, Joyce Ann

Thank you, Joyce Ann! This is a nice gift for the new year. What a morale booster! What an inspiring message. :)

THANK YOU, THANK YOU DEAR READERS FOR EVERY THING! You don't know how much you make us go 'awwww' every time you send us your comments and feedback. We will continue writing to the best of our abilities. We will continue to help, guide, and inspire! YOU ARE ALL AWESOME!!! WE LOVE YOU!!! 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Cheers to a more fabulous 2014, Riyadhizens!!! - Sundrenched

Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Live in Riyadh (or KSA)

​Whoah, that's one crazy title. What in the world were we thinking?! Even some travel guides advise you not to visit Saudi Arabia on the basis of extreme cultural shock and here we are listing the reasons why you should live in Riyadh. Genius right?! This isn't even the perfect timing to publish an entry like this because Saudi Arabia is currently in turmoil over the labor raids, the riots in Manfouha, the flooding during the rainy days, and the recommendation to close stores and shops by 9:00pm (this is a serious threat to our shopping skills, hehe).

But then again, we realize that hey, even if there's chaos here and there, we're still here in Saudi Arabia so might as well remember the good things about living in this country to lift our spirits up. This optimism and looking at the bright side of life might just be the result of ​the pleasant weather.​ (​It's winter, yeyyy!)​​ But then again, this might just be because we're The Pink Tarha, your crazy, unconventional guide to Riyadh who tells you to learn something new every day and take smart risks and choices. ​And be positive all the darn time. It's about time we discuss the matter of living in Saudi Arabia. Or rather, the act of choosing to live and work in Saudi Arabia.

We have read and listened to many misconceptions and myths about Saudi Arabia. ​A lot of people who haven't set foot here are scared of this place. It's just not conforming to the way of living they're used to. The culture here is inexplicable to expats. ​A friend of mine said he won't ever go to Saudi Arabia because rape is rampant here and even guys get raped. (Isn't rape a crime that happens any where?) Another friend said that it's boring here because all we have is desert and sand dunes and camels. Uhmnnn for real?! Yes, it's still 1434 in this country but it doesn't mean everyone is still living in tents and herding camels for a living. Riyadh is a cosmopolitan city for goodness' sake!

(This is why you need to read The Pink Tarha!)

Well, they're called "misconceptions" and "myths" for a reason so don't believe every thing you read in the Internet​ about Saudi Arabia being one of those bad lands​. However, you can also opt to not believe us. After all, we're crazy we're just living the cards being dealt to us. I think we're handling it well. We're handling life in Riyadh well because the same way that there are disadvantages to living in Riyadh, there are also advantages in living here and we're making the most out of it. So here are the reasons why we think you should live in Riyadh:

1. Airconditioned every where. Of course, except in the great outdoors. You know what's the temperature ​on a summer day​? 40 friggin' degrees! And yes, it ​rises from there​. That's like the minimum. That's summer for us; we already feel oven-baked when under the sun for three minutes. Did we decide to live in an oven?! But because of this temperature, air conditioning is available every where. If there's a way to make the whole of Riyadh air-conditioned, they would probably do it. The good thing is, most establishments and places in Riyadh are equipped with air-conditioning. So we can find reprieve from the heat as long as we're inside. ​In cars, buildings, offices, coffee shops, malls... it's generally cold you'll forget it's hot outside. 

2. ​Cheap gas, electricity, and water. ​ ​In other words, the BILLS you dread in the Philippines? They're not so dreadful here. These three major components of life are so expensive in the home country but really cheap here in Saudi Arabia. Ikaw na ang second largest oil producer in the world, ewan ko na lang! Haha! Gasoline is just 0.45 halalas or around 5.00 pesos per liter. Our consumption of electricity and water in a month is around SR 200 each or less, considering we have 5 A/Cs in the house and we don't skimp on water (although I swear we're not wasting it). So, what bills?! Also, if you're in your company's accommodations, sometimes you don't even have to worry about this because they have it covered.

3.​ Large portions of food. We're pretty sure that when you see ​our food​ photos in the blog, you think, "ang takaw naman ng Pink Tarha!" While we can't deny that, we also can't help it if their dishes are as huge as platters. An order of mains in Chili's is almost good for 2 persons, except when you're very, very hungry and has a very, very huge appetite (or when you're just too selfish to share). After a few months of living in Riyadh, I went home to the Philippines and became critical of the portions of food. I paid this and this is the only thing I get?! Ridiculous! Haha! Just go to Jollibee KSA and order their Chicken Joy. Compare it to the chicken part we get in the Philippines and you'll know how much more skin and meat you're missing. Like the chickens in the Philippines are on a diet. 

4. Amazing shopping experience. So you think just because we're in abayas we do not need more clothes? Wrong! Because it's tax-free in the Kingdom, prices of goods are a bit lower. Sales are also ongoing all-year-round. There are the year-end sales, the seasonal sales, the mid-year sale... Sale, Sale, Sale! We love these sales, especially when we need stuff for pasalubong. Prices of gold are also more affordable here than anywhere so might as well begin collecting now. Prices of basic commodities are also cheaper. It's like you can buy whatever your heart desires. Or okay, for your families. ;) 

5. Fast travel. Almost every one in Riyadh owns a car. Why do you think we complain of traffic snarls every afternoon in our Facebook page? There is no concrete mode of transportation here apart from the regular taxis and the 2-riyal bus (if you want to die) but even so, traveling from one place to another is fast because they have huge and wide roads.

Riding the 2-riyal mini bus

Yes, traffic is becoming horrendous over the past few months but it's still better than say, Manila. They have highways everywhere and their major thoroughfares are clean and smooth. It's easy to go from one place to another. It's only traffic because of the volume of cars and the lack of driving discipline but let's talk about that some other time. Also, an advantage to women would be being driven. I know that sounds so princess in distress but with the Women Driving Ban still up for discussion (or is it?), we're still at the mercy of our fathers and husbands and that's not even necessarily a bad thing because a. no stinking cars/drivers, b. safety ensured, c. no need to pay for fare (gas is cheaper), d. conducive multiple stops and e. no strains of commuting.

These are just some of the advantages of living and working in Saudi Arabia. Oh yeah, is it BORING here in Saudi Arabia? I'm sorry, but do The Pink Tarha ladies look bored to you? Hahaha! Granted that this blog started because we were bored (but really, it's because I like to write too), we found the solutions to that for ourselves (and don't worry we'll be sharing more tips on how you can be productive and how you can have fun on your spare time soon). With a world that keeps on entertaining itself, we're sure you'll find something to do. 

So while you listen and read news that it's no good here in Riyadh, or Saudi Arabia for that matter, we disagree. The social practices in Saudi Arabia are different from us expats and that's understandable. They have their own country, culture, tradition, and religion. So we can't expect the same things. While it's true that there's more freedom elsewhere, maybe it's time to rethink your concept of freedom.

If freedom is drinking beer, eating pork, and wearing whatever you want in public... then yes, your freedom will be curtailed here. Saudi Arabia is not for you. But if freedom for you is being bold, living beyond your comfort zone, abiding by rules and laws (that don't hurt you), and choosing the pasture that would feed your family no matter how differently-colored that pasture is (it tends to be brown here being a desert and all, hehe) then yes, Saudi Arabia is for you.

For your information, men here can pretty much do their thing as long as they follow the laws (wherever you are, you should follow the laws right?). Women here are not holed up in houses. We are not oppressed. We are independent. We go out, work, eat, shop, express our self, and pretty much do whatever we want...

Might be in the UAE but you get the picture. Girl Power! :P

Just in our kick-ass abayas and covered with a tarha. ~ Sundrenched

Top 5 Fitness Centers for Women in Riyadh

Who's raring to go to the gym these days? Did you know that according to Forbes, Saudi Arabia ranks 29th on a 2007 list of the fattest countries with 68.3% of its citizens being overweight? Yessir! It will probably go higher if you include The Pink Tarha ladies expats in those numbers. :P I think we were ones of the few expats who kept on complaining that there's no form of exercise that are available to us immediately. How come guys have many gyms at their disposal? 

Anyway, we eat a lot but we don't move around a lot because our jobs consist of being glued in front of the computer 8 hours a day. But who are we kidding? It's our fault that we're not into physical activities mostly. Well, we did try. A few months ago (or years pa yata), we were going to the gym in the workplace but we got busy with other things (including eating Riyadh). So, for those who don't have gyms in their workplaces and are willing to shed moolah to become fit, healthy, and fabulous, we scouted Riyadh for gyms and fitness centers for women. Admittedly, we're not the best persons around to advise you on fitness so let these professionals be your guide.

Here's the top 5 fitness centers for women in Riyadh (in no particular order because we don't have the right and capacity to rate them; we haven't tried them personally).

1. KINETICO 
Kinetiko is a one-stop center. We haven't seen the place but according to their website, they offer wellness training programs and performing arts. They also have a cafeteria that caters nutritious and healthy dishes that are fit for their patrons. They also have an internet access and a sportswear boutique. Their Fitness Klub has a lot of classes that focuses on what you want to improve on: BodyBalance, a yoga-taichi-pilates program that helps build strength and flexibility, KardioKombat, an intensive body workout using boxing and kickboxing moves, Triskel, a strength training class using the Lotte Berk method, and the new trend in fitness, Zumba which combines mambo, reggae, and merengue. And there are more types and other formats of classes that suits what you want and need. The Fitopia Akademy  uses dance to make you fit. Classes include the Classic (barre exercises), Fame (hip-hop), and Latino'd (rhythms). If you want to get the best value then the Smartpack which combines more than one type of class, is for you. Kinetico has different membership packages ranging from one month to a year. We asked via email and their one-month membership known as the Kinteco Klub Basic is worth SR1,200 (all-inclusive). It's a little steep compared to what we pay for in our workplace's gyms but our gym doesn't offer all these different classes and more. Contact them here.

2. CURVES 
Curves is one of the newest fitness centers in Riyadh and Sundrenched recently visited the branch in Panorama Mall to know more about it. One thing that is noticeable in Curves is the lack of the usual gym equipment and machines like the treadmill or the elliptical. Curves offers a 30-minute workout through an interactive circuit that has 8 machines using hydraulic resistance targeting specific areas of the body and in between the machines are recovery boards that lets you walk, run, jump, and jog in place. To see what we're saying here, click this link.  

The 30-minute workout

Curves in Panorama is a little bit smaller than most gyms but since you'll only need the circuit, then it's fine. They have lockers and changing rooms too. The advantage of going here, aside of course from becoming fit, is that it's located in Panorama's Ladies Section where a beauty salon, coffee shop, and fashion boutiques and stores are within reach. This program will be more fun if you do it with your friends. When S went there, she noticed that most patrons are young ladies. Of course, women of all ages are welcome. A 3-month membership is SR2,700. But the more than SR5,000 annual membership is said to be the best plan with its various benefits and perks. Contact Curves here. 

3. YIBREEN 
Yibreen is said to be the ultimate indulgent experience as it combines the relaxing benefits of a spa and salon and the rejuvenating benefits of a gym all in one place. Yibreen, a name referring to a lush desert oasis in the heart of Saudi Arabia, has a lot of fitness programs and classes. Programs include fitness evaluation, personal training, nutritional therapy program, and swimming lessons. Classes include Kick Aerobics, Funky Step, Mat Pilates, Ashtanga Yoga, Liquid Bliss (aquacise), Body Blitz (circuit training), Arabian Belly Dancing, and Kick Boxing. Combining all of Yibreen's services, you have to shell our SR9,500 for their annual membership package which gives you a personalized fitness evaluation and program, 20% discounts on all spa and salon services, 6 guest passes, 3 personal training sessions, and 1 nutrition consultation. If you want lesser on the three latter benefits, then membership fee is down to SR7,000. Contact Yibreen here.

4. AL-MANAHIL 
Al-Manahil is more known for their spa and salon services but they also have a sports complex that caters to women's fitness and health needs. They've undergone renovations recently and has upgraded their services and facilities. Like the other fitness centers, Al-Manahil's staff are ready to assist you in losing weight, toning up, and making you feel good. Fitness classes include Step for agility and stamina, Step N Tone for firming, Cardio Combo for aerobics, Retro (a combination of dances like hip-hop, jazz, salsa, and more), Tae Bo, Oriental ( a combination of hip-hop and belly dancing), and Spin (indoor cycling). They also have the Walking Club which lets you burn calories and enjoy the sceneries in and around the Diplomatic Quarters. Al Manahil also offers swimming, tennis, and taekwondo classes. A 1-month membership is SR1,900 while a 3-month membership is SR2,500, which is a better value for your buck. Contact Al-Manahil here. 

5. ELLE ET VOUS
We don't know much about Elle et Vous because there's little info on their Facebook page. All we know is that it's also primarily a beauty salon with a gym inside. We do think that it's a good idea to combine a beauty salon and gym. In that way, women can find every thing they need to remain beautiful and healthy. Elle et Vous boasts of a professionally-trained staff and state-of-the-art tools and equipment. According to their site, they just opened fitness classes so that's a good thing.

There's one called the Al-Multaqa Centre for Women in Riyadh but we haven't found any extensive info on it and it's not located in the city center so we'll just add any thing once we learn more. We heard Luthan Hotel and Spa might also have a gym as most hotels have in-house gyms but we doubt if they have fitness classes.

We want to go to the gym and enroll in fitness classes but looking at the prices, they're a little bit more expensive than what we imagined. Some of you might find the prices steep too so we have other "free" fitness ideas for you... WALKING! Walk around King Fahd Medical City or the bigger Prince Sultan University. You can ask your friends to come with you and after a round or two, you can go to Mama Noura for some shawarma fix. Kidding! Have a healthy fruit juice instead! You can also join a hash (walking/running/traveling in the desert organized by a club) or the Riyadh Road Runners.

Okay ladies, let's get physical! And a-one, a-two, a-three...

Top 5 Sosyal V-Day Date Places in Riyadh

When I suggested this entry, Eyecandy quipped, "Baka magalit na sa'tin ang mga asawa ng readers natin ha!" Lol. From shopping to dining to making lakwatsa... we suggest them all. And sometimes, our readers, mostly ladies, tend to bug and nag their husbands to heed our suggestions. Well, that's just great! Haha! (Women empowerment, woot! :) We didn't know we've become so helpful to fellow ladies out there! Lol. All we're saying is, guys, please indulge your wives and girlfriends once in a while. After all, you love them right? *wink with an extra bat of gorgeous eyelashes*

For this year's Valentine's Day, we suggest sosyal dining places that will melt your wife's heart and make her fall in love with you again. We're addressing this to husband and wife only because you all know by now that gf and bf can't go out together in public. At least when you're husband and wife, the religious police will see this as a normal dining out scenario and will not accuse you of celebrating the red-letter day, even if you are indeed out to celebrate it. So going back to the sosyal part... well, there's no harm in indulging once in a while, right? Right?! Even if it's not Valentine's these places will create a fantastic place to date. Romance is definitely in the air...

For dinner, fancy schmanzy hotel restaurants will probably be in your mind. Truth be told, we had this connotation about hotel restaurants: they're no good. The food is expensive and overrated. Well, some are. That's why, we're suggesting places we've already dined in. The food are relatively okay but what caught our attention in these places are the ambiance and the privacy they deliver. After all, when eating, especially on a date, all the senses must be heightened. Here are some hotel restaurants we've tried:

1. Radisson SAS' Brasseries On Four
Enjoy authentic pan-Arabian and global fusion cuisine at the Brasserie on Four restaurant in Riyadh. Indulge in a casual and light dining experience with the à la carte menu, or choose from the lavish spread of lunch and dinner buffets. Brasserie on Four also hosts the hotel's Super Breakfast Buffet, which includes fresh breads, delicious cuts and homemade pastries.

Shrimps galore!

Dinner starts 7pm in BOF. We enjoyed the seafood buffet and desserts. The shrimps and squid are grilled while you wait. Waiting is not an issue though because there are other dishes right in front of you. We heard Shogun, the Japanese restaurant in Radisson SAS is also a good choice.

2. Sheraton Hotel's La Piazza Gather everyone for the sumptuous buffet and specialties. An exclusive ambiance, mouthwatering cuisine, and personal service create a great dining experience.

La Piazza's chocolate fondant
(Ever since Duo, we've been on the lookout for other chocolate fondant in the city and so far, nothing came at par... well, except Cafe Ceramique's which appealed greatly to our Filipino taste buds.)

The La Piazza is Sheraton's Italian restaurant and they do look like one in a tiny village in Italy offering the authentic experience. There's even private dining areas where you'll have total privacy and yet you'll still feel the earthy, rural Italian village atmosphere. Dinner starts 4pm and goes on until midnight. We love the pizza and the lamb chops.

3. Kingdom Tower's Spazio 77
Plates are served to taste, but also to enjoy every bite! The various savors and wide range of signature Mediterranean dishes made from the best ingredients and always keeping in mind the authenticity of each flavor.

What better way to enjoy dinner than to eat at the 77th floor of Saudi Arabia's tallest building? Delicious food and amazing views, that's what you get from Spazio 77. Perfect for a lovely date! Your journey starts at the amazing elevator, which looks like a planetarium with its "stars", that zips you up to the restaurant floor. Then the meals, which is great. (S ate there on a buffet and she remembers there was a lot of salmon and a pasta that is cooked right in front of you.) You can also opt to go to the Oxygen Room, which is one-of-a-kind in Riyadh. Very interesting!

You might want to consider Al Faisaliah Tower's The Globe too. We haven't eaten there so we can't vouch for it but if you're looking for spectacular city views while eating modern European cuisine then you'll be in a treat at The Globe. You can also visit The Experience, Faisaliah's public observation gallery, after your hefty dinner. Fancy a cigar? Then the Asir Lounge is for you. Now, who wanna be a billionaire so effin' bad?!

After a hefty dinner, you'll probably crave for a fabulous dessert. Enter two in our must-list:

4. Cafe Lenotre

Located in Centria Mall, Cafe Lenotre is a restaurant and a dessert place in one. If you're there for the latter only, then we'd suggest you pick a table outside. The terrace, overlooking the Olaya and King Fahd Road, is lit with romantic candles and made cooler by water sprinklers. Try their Lavazza coffee and apple pie. Also their chocolate fondant and macarons. Oh, phone in a reservation okay. They don't accept walk-ins. They're sosyal that way. Lol.

5. Laduree Cafe

Also in the same mall you'll find a quaint, dainty cafe by French icon Laduree. Again, this is a reservation only cafe (and they're strict about it). You'll enjoy mouthwatering macarons, cakes and pastries... if you can pronounce them in their French names. Lol. Have their flavored coffees and ice cream too.

Laduree's famous macarons *nibble, nibble*

So, did we give you a good list or what? Don't lose the romance this coming red-letter day! Pop-in a delightful surprise to your wife (or okay, husband)! Have a romantic dinner in the city of Riyadh! :)

The Top 5 Malls in Riyadh

We're introducing a new section in the blog where we list five favorite any thing. Just the Pink Tarha ladies' choices orayt? Feel free to add yours in the comment boxes. :)

For the first entry in this section, we write about something dear to our hearts (lol). Since we're still high from shopping, why not write an entry that involves our favorite past time?

One of Riyadh's allure to women is its being a major shopping destination, especially during the sale season. The mall is the main destination of women who are seeking respite and therapy from all the day's work (or non-work). The mall is the oasis, the first refreshing frontier in the ongoing life of Filipinas in Saudi Arabia. It's wide, air-conditioned, and the displays are endless and dazzling! Filipino men can settle for Batha but we women can hold our fort in Riyadh's huge malls. The Pink Tarha lists down our five go-to malls in the city with their matching pros and cons.

1. Riyadh Gallery
This mall located at the end of the King Fahad Road tops our list. It might be far to a few but we say it's location is just right. Not too near and not too far. The distance is compensated by the King Fahd Road, which is a relatively wide highway with little traffic. But the most important reason is that it's a one-stop complete mall. It houses three of our favorite department stores - three! - Debenhams, Centrepoint, and Citymax. It also has a famous one-stop beauty shop, Sephora. Eyecandy says it also resembles a Manila mall the most (say Trinoma) because of its wide space and nature (albeit faux) landscape in the center. The coffee shops are rightfully (and tastefully) placed in the nooks of this mall garden. The lack of in-house branches of popular restaurants is compensated with a brightly-lit, colorful food court with interesting eating stalls that we like. E likes Indian Garden in the food court which serves a mean Chicken 65 while Mary likes the no-fuss pasta at Pastalita. Overall, Riyadh Gallery is the Pink Tarha's main retreat.

Shop with nature in Riyadh Gallery (photo from here)

Pros
Relaxing ambiance (nature landscape in the middle)
Department stores (Centrepoint, Citymax, Debenhams, Sephora)
Popular brands (New Look, Zara, H&M, New Yorker)
Specialty stores (Konad for nail art and Stokes for funky kitchen tools)
Hyper Panda
Huge parking lot
London cab
Huge amusement center

Cons
Far location (at the end of King Fahd Road)
Death-defying high escalators
No in-house restaurants

2. Granada Center
Surprisingly, even if Granada Center is far from the city center, we are placing it in second because of a somewhat unique reason. Granada Center is probably the most men-friendly mall because most of the brands here carry their line for men. Like Topshop and H&M. So it's a pro for our fathers, husbands, and brothers. Pro for us too because they become more willing to drive us around. We also consider its distance a breather from the grinding, busy city life. It also proves to be an advantage because we still find our sizes here, especially during the sale season. Granada Center is like a walk in the park. It's spacious but not too huge to enjoy a stroll. It also has the must-go-to stores in our list like H&M, River Island, and Debenhams. Also, we don't encounter the muttawas here as much compared to other malls (not that we're hiding from them).

Far but worth it (photo from here)

Pros
Department store (Debenhams)
Popular brands (Topshop, H&M, New Look,)
Brands for men (Topshop, H&M)
In-house restaurants (Steakhouse and a Turkish grill)
Carrefour
Entertainment center
Huge parking lot
London cab
For women only food court area

Cons
Location
Limited variety of stores
Limited eating stalls in the food court

3. Sahara Mall and Hayat Mall
We decided to combine these two together because once you're in one, you can't help but go "ober da bakod" to visit the other. And you can also go to Sahara Plaza, the home of Zara and La Senza's liquidation stores. If not for the ongoing construction on the roads surrounding these malls, we could have placed it in the number 1 spot. But times and places have changed. The traffic in this area is a killer and you'll waste precious minutes in the surrounding intersections, U-turns, and detours. Also, it was a breeze before to cross the road to go from one mall to the other but now that a fence has been installed in between, the walk outside is a strain (unless you enjoy walking like we do... sometimes). Overall though, Sahara and Hayat offer a huge variety of brands and stores combined. What you can't find in one mall, you can find in the other. You can buy everything here from your clothes, groceries, books, cellphones, and appliances. It's a one-stop gigantic shop... which you can reach after having a headache from the road hassles.

Shoppers' [twin] delight (photos from here and here)

Pros
Location (near the city center)
Popular brands (Hayat: New Look, Zara, Lacoste, Al-Sawani, Paris Gallery | Sahara: MNG, H&M, Miss Selfridge)
Lots of food court choices
In-house restaurants (Hayat: Tony Roma's and Applebee's | Sahara: Fuddruckers, Cafe Ceramique)
Supermarkets (Hayat: Dabube Hypermarket | Sahara: Tamimi Market)
Sahara Plaza
Jarir Bookstore and Best Electronic Store
Entertainment centers

Cons
Major traffic in the area
Long detour in between malls
Always full parking lots
No London Cab

4. Kingdom Mall
Though we love this mall for the unique brands it carry, we find the stores very limited. What we love though is the ladies floor where we can step out of our abayas (which curiously, we keep) and relax with other women who love shopping and having coffee. We are also catered by women who know our wants and needs and whom we share the same interests. What goes on in the ladies' floor is our own dirty little secret. Lol. However, the prices are somewhat too high. Salon services cost twice or triple than salons outside. Kingdom Mall has an upper-class clientele and this mall gives off that ambiance. The food court, though, feels otherwise. The available eating joints are scarce and not as varied as other malls. One major point when being in Kingdom Mall is the opportunity to go upstairs and visit the Skybridge where a glass wall is the only thing that separates you from a panoramic view of Riyadh.

Go luxe! (photo from here)

Pros
Location (city center)
Luxury brands (Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Tiffany and Co., Saks Fifth Avenue)
Luxury hotel (Four Seasons) and restaurants (Spazio, Quattro, The Grill)
Ladies' floor
Spacious, wide, brightly-lit areas
London Cab
Skybridge

Cons
Limited variety of brands and stores
Only 1 in-house resto (Planet Hollywood)
Attacks on women outside the mall were 'reported.'

5. Faisaliah Mall
We love Faisaliah Mall but it doesn't offer as much as the other malls. It is the nearest mall to our work and home but we only find ourselves drawn by the food court which has our favorite food (Subway, London Chips, and Samurai). We also love their selection of desserts (Cheesecake Factory, Baskin n' Robbins, a cookie stall, etc.) Their food court and Water Lemon have a nice view of the Olaya Road. It has a nice array of familiar brands like MNG, Zara, and Promod and has the only branch of Juicy Couture in Riyadh. It is also the home of upscale department store, Harvey Nichols. When done shopping, going to the view deck in Faisaliah's globe is a must. For SR25, you get a nice 360 degree view of the city and limitless number of photos using your camera (Kingdom's Skybridge prohibits the use of mainstream cameras; only mobile phone's).

Shop and dine with a view at Faisaliah Mall (photo from here)

Pros
Popular brands (MNG, Zara, Promod, MAC)
High-class brands (Juicy Couture, Coach, Roberto Cavalli)
Department store (Harvey Nichols, Al-Sawani)
Good variety of food court choices
View deck
Ample parking space in the basement

Cons
Busy intersection of Olaya and Thalateen Sts.
Filled parking lots outside
No London Cab

There are still a lot of malls in Riyadh and we cannot count the possibilities of fab finds and experience. These five, however, are our go-to malls but we also visit Panorama Mall (for their amusement center... lol!), Al-Akaria Mall, Al-Nemer Center, Othaim Mall, Khurais Plaza, etc. but not as frequent. If you have raves and rants on the malls in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, do let us know in the comment box.

Happy shopping in Riyadh!