incentives: activities saudi arabia 2012
HORSE RACING
The horse-racing season runs from late September until April at The King Abdulaziz Track located near the King Khalid Interna- tional Airport at Janadriyah, 40 kilometres northeast of Riyadh.
The facilities are of international stan- dards with a grandstand accommodating some 5,000 race-goers. The races take place every Friday afternoon, extending into the evening under floodlights.
CAMELMARKET
On the outskirts of Buraydah in Al-Qassim there is a working camel market. Along with the camels, the market sells sheep and goats and there are also stalls selling local leather goods including bridles, halters and saddles or woven goods such as blankets. Be prepared for an early start because the auction starts at 6am and is all over by 10am.
UNDERWATER WORLD Scuba-diving instruction and facilities are available at all of the major dive sites in the country. It is necessary to make bookings in advance, but with PADI (Professional As- sociation of Diving Instructors) certification you can dive in some of the most beautiful waters in the world.
THE FARASAN BANK
The Farasan Bank is a coral shore 100 kilo- metres wide that stretches 800 kilometres down Saudi Arabia's Red Sea Coast, about a 90-minute ferry journey from Jizan. The Farasan Kebir and Segid archipelago includes two large islands, Farasan and Qummah, connected by a bridge. The Farasan Islands are largely low, flat-topped lumps of coral that are barely a few metres above the water. The beaches are made of dead coral and can vary from smooth white powder to quite rough sand. The true beauty of the Farasan Islands is underwater where an abundance of colour- ful coral reefs, flying rays, dolphins, dugong, sea turtles and whale sharks can be found. Birdlife is also plentiful and seasonally includes spoonbill, egrets, herons, falcons, pelicans, gulls, terns, plover and flamingos.
EASTERN PROVINCE Although the Eastern Province is heavily industrialised, the aquatic life thrives. Only 32 kilometres from the city of Jubail lies a chain of five coral atolls: Harqus, Karan, Kurayn, Jana and Jurayd. These tiny islands were formed when sand built up on a submerged coral reef until it broke the surface of the sea. The coral is extensive and colourful and the fish are varied. The islands are also a protected breeding ground for turtles and, for that reason, it is necessary to have permission to visit the islands during the breeding season.
YANBU
Another industrial area, with hidden depths, is the town of Yanbu, which boasts around 1,930 kilometres of the world's best coral reef, with more than 450 species of fish. Despite the industrial surroundings the marine life in Yanbu is vast and varied, with turtles, whales, dolphins and even the dugong, otherwise known as the manatee. Several dive sites are located between Al Hasani Island, north of Yanbu and Sha'ah al Abjad in the south.
SNORKELLING
Two popular resorts for snorkelling in Saudi Arabia are Obhur Creek in the Makkah Prov- ince and Al Khobar in the Eastern Province. Some of the best sites are: North Obhur; Al Bilad Beach; Al Nakheel; Blue Beach; The Pinnacles; Obhur Creek; Andulus Marina; Broken Dock; and the Rabigh District.
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