Hanging Cliffs and the Desert

Continues from The Enchanting Cliff!

I climbed back after the short time spent at the enchanting cliff. Everyone except Shehnaz, Munni and the kids has gone up the cliff. We waited with the kids for them to return. There was also an old lady from Germany who was also waiting for her daughter and son to return. We chatted for a while till Nadeer returned and took charge of the kids.

Most in our company were coming down as I and Shehnaz started to climb. However Sreejith had waited there for us with Bahr’s family. As usual my breath came short as we started the uphill journey. However this journey was a new one for me. Even when I was tired, I never had to remove my sweaters for once since the chilly wind did its job.

The view from the top of the hill was breathtaking. The vastness of desert stretched before us. The exotic feel and the opulence of the view bound us to the spot. Far away, we could spot the edge of another hanging cliff. However time was getting short and we left the idea of visiting that place.

Edge of the World

The view from the edge of the world was indeed a treat. Hanging cliffs and the vast stretch of desert lay hand in hand. Two minute figures at the edge of a faraway cliff reminded me of the perch of Akela in the Jungle Book.  

After some memorable time spent at the cliff, we climbed down. Again the stones became slippery under our feet and we had to take extremely cautious steps.

At the foothill the delicious and quick snacks packed by Didi chechi and friends were awaiting us. However one thing that we took care was to reduce the intake. There are no restrooms in the far stretched places and we should control our nature’s calls during this 10 hours journey. There weren’t even bushes apart from some thorny plants to make use of.

Soon, we drove back through the barren desert. At some points we had to take huge deviations due to the fissures formed in the middle of the desert. At a long stretched land, we stopped our vehicles. Since women were not allowed to drive in KSA, this was a stolen opportunity for women in the gang to get their hands on the vehicles. After the driving exertion, we don our Abhayas back to become the obedient women of KSA.

All through the way back, we saw groups of natives enjoying their weekend. They were very friendly and waved to us when our vehicles passed. The fresh air must have really kept their spirits in merry.

By 4p.m we stopped at the dam for evening snacks. The road on the way was so muddy and Mr.Shaji’s car was full bathed in mud water. The shawarmas and Doughnuts must have really rejuvenated everyone. It was then that Bakhr and his wife started a running competition from the bottom of the dam. I must really appreciate Mrs. Bakhr’s stamina. Bakhr had won only for the fraction of a moment. Watching them, even I wanted to try a running competition with Sreejith but left it because of inborn laziness.  All couples in the gang might have run a competition in their imagination.

Return from the desert

Soon after the evening snacks, we headed out of the desert. When we crossed the check post, a group of Westerners went in our opposite direction. They were heading to Edge of the world with camping equipments and a desert bike. It was then that I felt that what we had enjoyed at the edge of the world might not be the real spirit of the place. The true thrill that the place can provide might be much more. The place might take you to the real adventurous zone where you might even glimpse your Edge of the World!