Snipe Hunt--Monday, April 2, 2007 part 2

We began the day with the promise of a visit to a camel farm where we could milk the camels, pet them, possibly ride them. But after visiting the national park and the arts and crafts shops we began to wonder if we would ever see a camel up close. We drove through the desert--saw a sandstorm, lots of oil wells and some grazing camels in the distance but how close would we actually get to those camels? This was becoming a mystery. We didn't believe it would happen. And why? Because every time we thought we were within reach of our goal, our host would tweak the itinerary just one more time.

And now he thought we should have lunch. So, it's off to Al Hufuf to the Al-Hasa Intercontinental Hotel for a lunch; which, may I say, once again was a fantastic spread. The appetizers appeared to exceed more than one hundred in number and included things like beef, chicken and lamb dishes. So, being good Americans, we loaded up our dishes sat down to a beautiful view and stuffed ourselves. And then we were told that the main meal--barbecued seafood had not yet arrived. It was suggested by some wise person that we skip the 'main meal' and head straight to the desserts which were only about 50 in number and much easier to conquer.

Back to those camels. That "photo op" was becoming way too elusive and I'm not talking about the group picture; although, let's get in just one more of those as well. But wait, I see the camels off in the distance.

Oh, no--it's a bus. Is that where we are headed?

"The bus will take us to the camels."

Sounds familiar.

We're off to see the camels, the wonderful Arabian camels! Hang on; there's a fort up ahead. We must stop and 'have a look' at the Qasr Ibrahim. A lovely 450 year old fort with a jail and a mosque as well as a fortified wall.
OK; so, do camels really live in the deserts of Saudi Arabia? Prove it!