Into the Forest…

 Continues from Al Habbalah Village- The heaven on Desert

“I never expected something like this in Saudi Arabia. This place is indeed a heaven. It’s time people have to change their attitude on Saudi Arabia as a barren land. I’ve started to fall in love with this country.” These were words of Mr. Tom…. Who had been on a deputation from Holland!

Tom’s words were our thoughts too. As we stopped on the narrow road at the edge of a deep valley and cactus bushes, our minds were echoed with excitement and wonder.

While we were descending through the cable cars, I’d spotted some people walking amidst the green foliage near the Habbalah village. Very soon, as we were sitting in our reverie, Sreejith spotted some men across the ruined house after the small forest. We decided to take walk towards that direction.

We would have definitely missed the essence of our trip if we’d missed that walk. It was a walk in a real desert forest. It was wilderness and beauty everywhere. Birds chirped, insects creaked and many living things were enjoying their privilege out there.

Into the forest

Shreya was thrilled as we were amazed to see such greenery amidst the desert. The path was barren and looked fresh even after the umpteen footsteps. It was a smooth walk till we reached the narrow steps near the Habbalah house. The wide valley lay at one side and a stretch of cactus bushes adorned its stretch. The path was mixed with slippery stones. 

I was not sure to proceed with Shreya and I knew fear was gripping me. It was then Tom and his friends came back from the Habbalah house.  His excitement and warmth pushed me to go further. After five minutes, breathless and with my sprained feet, we reached at the Habbalah house.

I sat at the thatched mud mountains of the home overlooking the valley. Our friends were ready to follow us for this unique tread. Sreejith entered the house to admire the old interiors. But my journey had finished. This walk and the view stretched before were enough for me.

It was post noon time and the mighty mountains slowly embrowned themselves. Though the day stood visible with its blue screen in the sky, darkness started to creep over the mountains. The night was drawing near closing its shade curtains around.

Sunset from Habbalah House

The shaded noon with its mere complexion added the face of twilight to the mountains. The birds flew across the bright sky while, silence was spreading amidst the foliage. It was time for us to return too. As we ascended in the cable car and drove across the mighty mountains back to our hotel, I just thought of the many miracles of the creator. A forest amidst a desert -never heard of such an oxymoron and couldn’t believe even after the experience!