RIYADH, 15 November 2004 — Many Filipinos in the national capital motored east or west, mostly in convoy with friends, for a few days’ vacation during the Eid Holidays.
Eric P. Asi — with his wife, Jannette, and son, EJ — drove to the Eastern Province with friends for a two-day holiday, planning to visit the beaches in Alkhobar, including the Half Moon Bay, and then drive to the border of the Saudi-Bahrain border at the King Fahd Causeway.
“We want to take a break from the hectic pace of work, hoping to come back relaxed and take up work afresh. We also want to spend quality time as a family and with friends,” Asi — an engineer of Nardeen Lighting — said on Friday at the start of the holidays.
With them in another car was a Thai and his Filipino wife, Mylene, a teacher’s aide in a local school. Mylene said they want their little daughter to see other parts of the Kingdom so that she will have something to cherish when she grows up.
Another group left for the Eastern Province early Saturday.
Dhoris de la Cruz, who also teaches in a local school, said:” I am joining colleagues going to the Eastern Province for the experience of being there and seeing the place. I have been working for three years in the Kingdom and yet I have not seen much of it. This is my first time to visit the Eastern Province.”
Others left westward to the Red Sea.
“We have been to Alkhobar in the past. We want a change, so this time we’re going to Jeddah,” said Floro Brenna, a supervisor at a workshop at the old industrial area, who was with wife Nitz and daughter Jona.
Resty Estilles of the Bicol region in eastern Philippines, convoyed with Brenna, also saying he wanted to see Jeddah for a change.
Some of those who have opted to remain in the city while their time away by visiting the parks, such as those along Al-Ahsa St. and in Al-Hair. Prominent landmarks such as the Kingdom Center and Al Faisaliah tower along Olaya street are favorite sites. Others go picnicking at istrahas .
In Jeddah, many headed either for the beaches nearby or in the mountain resorts of the Asir Region. A group of Toastmasters left for a three-day trip to Abha early Saturday, while separate groups of scuba diving enthusiasts went to their favorite diving spots in the Red Sea.
“Escaping from the daily grind and the hustle and bustle of everyday life during the Eid holiday is an experience in itself,” said Bioux Manilum, head of the Order of the Knights of Rizal – Riyadh Chapter.
