For many in the group that set off for the holidays to the Farasan Island it was a first-time journey, which turned out to be a memorable one for all. One of the organizing members of the tour outlined the program to the group at the outset and the group got into the spirit of the travel from the word go.

All in the group passed the time with impromptu and innovative efforts that made light of the distance between Jeddah and Jazan. Children and adults alike participated in singing songs, quizzes, and spontaneous debates and discussions providing a congenial ambience throughout the journey. There were those who caught their forty winks amid the hullabaloo, but when awake joined in the fanfare with gusto.

On arrival at Jazan, the cool morning breeze wafted in a pleasant welcome, but our expectations of a continuing breeze were dashed as the hot Jazan weather had all of us in a sweat. Even the occasional breeze failed to relieve the heat and humidity, but the group weathered this with the anticipation of visiting Farasan Island nearing fulfillment.

Our embarkation point to Farasan Island was the port of Jazan where we had gone through a thorough security check-up and document verifications before proceeding to the atrium. It is better to arrange for tickets in advance, as our organizer did, so as to make the trip hassle-free.

People thronged the port as early as 5 a.m. waiting for the ticket counter to open. It does at 7 a.m. A long queue generally forms by the time the ticket counter opens, though there is a separate queue for women.

Tourists, a mix of expatriates and Saudis, lined up at the parking lot as the crowd grew in size every minute. The main gate of the port opened at 7:30 a.m. and a shuttle bus service was provided till the departure lounge where sufficient chairs were placed for the passengers.

We were able to see the vessel only through the windowpane of the hall and waited a few minutes for us to get the final nod from the officer-in-charge. The anchored ship was a sight to see. We all marveled at the ship’s wide decks, comfortable chairs, air-conditioned cabins, etc.

Tourists to the islands are beholden to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, who as a gift has made transportation to and from the Farasan Island free.

The vessel negotiates many islets on the way to Farasan Island, and these islets and atolls can be seen through the ship windows. Few of these islets are just bare rocks while some are sandy and surrounded by coral reefs that are preferred habitat for different kinds of fishes.

The sailing was smooth to the islands as the sea was generally calm.

The island itself is a veritable beauty. Apart from the uninitiated, the area is a haven for biologists. The shores of Farasan Islands have a rich growth of coral reefs, and its great biological diversity attracts tourists from around the Kingdom.  What we saw en route to the island is a shoreline that is constantly being reshaped.

After our group enjoyed the natural habitat of the island, it was time to partake in the unrivaled marvels of the sea. Most of us spent our time swimming, lapping up the gentle, rolling waves, and sunning ourselves with the children restricting themselves to wading in the shallows and building sand castles on the beaches.

The island offers a whole vast universe for divers to view the marvelous beauty of the sea. Underneath shimmering surface of the mighty Red Sea there are myriad of marine creatures in which the divers and marine biologist can delight in.

Another unique experience of our visit to the area was the finding of the remnants of the Ottoman empire; though in dilapidated condition but with exquisite engravings. Stones are decoratively carved out in the structures which boast of its past glory and rich craftsmanship.

From Farasan Islands we headed to Abha. The drive through the mountainous terrain was exhilarating. It was just wondrous to see the sprawling zigzag roads and enjoy the aesthetic beauty of nature. We traveled in silence for hours viewing the astonishing landscape. We passed through the mountainous area hoping to see some monkeys. But for the majority of the journey only few got fleeting glimpses of the simians.

Some of us ventured out of our vehicle, during stops, to experience the cold climate and to have a bird’s eye view of the city below. We were dazzled to see the city glittering with lights. On reaching the city, crowded well-lit bazaars caught our eye as did well-trimmed bushes along the road in varied size and design that were embellished with colorful flowers.

Furthermore, throughout our journey, we saw folks at fields every now and then hoeing and plowing, tending tethered donkeys and kneeling camels, piling grass for them, and loading and unloading bales and bundles.

Last on our itinerary was the cable car ride. As we were behind the schedule, we were unable to catch the twilight. In the evening, we were little anxious to see the advent of fog enveloping the nearby mountains and gradually, the fog encompassed us as well.

Nevertheless, we hurriedly moved on to the cable car ride to enjoy the enchanting beauty and panoramic view of the city.

Although some in the group expressed their dismay at some delays, all agreed that the three-day trip was exceptional. It also enhanced personal rapport as the end of the trip left many in the group with new friends.

The tour was organized by IDC led by Naser Chavakkad, who in the end thanked all for being part of this fabulous journey.