Bergstrom Safari

The beginning

THE DRIVE FROM UAE - SAUDI

After loading my little 4WD (affectionately called 'Hasty') full to the brim, Dad and I drove into the Arabian sunset on Saturday 7th April 2007. Many people had warned us of the forboding drive through Saudi Arabia with advice to take lots of fuel, don't be left without water etc etc. Of course, being hardy top-Aussies that we are, we both thought this would be no problem - afterall, Australia has equally as long stretches of road and distances between petrol stations.

The question to ask.. 'Did we even make it out of the Emirates?'

Well, 30km before the Saudi border we ran out of petrol! Of course, with Dad and my weird sense of humour - we both thought this to be hilarious! One phonecall later and there were 2 Emiratee police cars giving us fuel with big smiles on their faces and refusing to take payment for the fuel. Gotta love the Arabic hospitality.

Once at the border, Dad became the driver and I covered up wearing my stunning black abaya. The border staff were exceptionally friendly welcoming us with big smiles and wishing us an enjoyable time in Saudi. Infact, everywhere throughout Saudi, people were friendly and so very helpful. Exemplified by when we had our first flat tyre. Within minutes there were 2 cars and 7 people 'helping' us change the tyre - pushing dad and I out of the way so that they did everything. Then with big smiles, off they drove.

Apart from Liza walking into the non-females area of a restaurant and causing a commotion with many stares from everyone, the trip through Saudi was relatively uneventful. The stretches of road were indeed long, however always dotted with wee towns and service stations.

JORDAN - 9th April 2007

As per usual we met some friendly Jordanians at the border and with advice under our belt and hotel reservations secured, we drove for Amman. Of course, our timing was impeccable with our entry into Amman co-inciding with peakhour traffic! Dad (with his keen sense of direction and map-reading skills) guided super-traffic negotiator, Liza, smoothly through the kaos and to our calm, quaint hotel upon one of the 19 mountains in Amman.

Trip - trapped around Amman the next day and picked up my Uncle, Walle Bergstrom, from the airport the next night...

2007-04-15 10:44:22 GMT

Comments (1 total)

Author:Anonymous

LizaB you seem to be having a fantastic time. Upload pictures so we cans see those lovely sunsets and say hello to your dad for me.
--Mr Shaw

2007-04-20 09:13:55 GMT

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			Liza and her Dad, Bo Bergstrom, travel from the Middle East to the Mediteranian

			The beginning THE DRIVE FROM UAE - SAUDI After loading my little 4WD (affectionately called 'Hasty') full to the brim, Dad and I drove into the Arabian sunset on Saturday 7th April 2007. Many people had warned us of the forboding drive through Saudi Arabia with advice to take lots of fuel, don't be left without water etc etc. Of course, being hardy top-Aussies that we are, we both thought this would be no problem - afterall, Australia has equally as long stretches of road and distances between petrol stations. The question to ask.. 'Did we even make it out of the Emirates?' Well, 30km before the Saudi border we ran out of petrol! Of course, with Dad and my weird sense of humour - we both thought this to be hilarious! One phonecall later and there were 2 Emiratee police cars giving us fuel with big smiles on their faces and refusing to take payment for the fuel. Gotta love the Arabic hospitality. Once at the border, Dad became the driver and I covered up wearing my stunning black abaya. The border staff were exceptionally friendly welcoming us with big smiles and wishing us an enjoyable time in Saudi. Infact, everywhere throughout Saudi, people were friendly and so very helpful. Exemplified by when we had our first flat tyre. Within minutes there were 2 cars and 7 people 'helping' us change the tyre - pushing dad and I out of the way so that they did everything. Then with big smiles, off they drove. Apart from Liza walking into the non-females area of a restaurant and causing a commotion with many stares from everyone, the trip through Saudi was relatively uneventful. The stretches of road were indeed long, however always dotted with wee towns and service stations. JORDAN - 9th April 2007 As per usual we met some friendly Jordanians at the border and with advice under our belt and hotel reservations secured, we drove for Amman. Of course, our timing was impeccable with our entry into Amman co-inciding with peakhour traffic! Dad (with his keen sense of direction and map-reading skills) guided super-traffic negotiator, Liza, smoothly through the kaos and to our calm, quaint hotel upon one of the 19 mountains in Amman. Trip - trapped around Amman the next day and picked up my Uncle, Walle Bergstrom, from the airport the next night... 2007-04-15 10:44:22 GMT Comments (1 total) Author:Anonymous LizaB you seem to be having a fantastic time. Upload pictures so we cans see those lovely sunsets and say hello to your dad for me. --Mr Shaw 2007-04-20 09:13:55 GMT Site Home