The Secrets of Al Hasa: Feasting & Gara

On the way to lunch we passed something I'm used to seeing in Al Hasa....local's garbage. What I didn't know is that the field that now holds refuse was once, like many others, a thriving rice field. I knew Al Hasa was know for being the largest natural oasis on earth, the largest natural oil reservoir, and acres and acres of date farms but this was the first I'd heard about rice.

I think the biggest secret we discovered is that Al Hasa has resorts and many of them. They are tucked away surrounded by walls so you really don't know that behind all the garbage is an extremely relaxing peaceful spot. Our guide said that many Saudi families are too large to gather at hotels so they come to spots like these.

Other than eating poolside, a bit nerve wracking with the little ones, we had a lovely lunch. There was this, interesting;), water feature and a small zoo that kept the older kids interested until it was time to move on.

In the afternoon we headed out of town about 12 kilometers to the Gara mountains. These sedimentary rocks became a refuge for the villagers during the hot months. Our guides' grandfather lived there and said the village was desolate during the day as the entire village went to sleep in the caves. Then in the cooler evening everyone came out and it was business as usual.
Zach and I missed this part of the trip. Zach chose to stay on the bus and read while I napped next to a sleeping Graham.
Chris, Ethan, and the rest of the crew enjoyed their time exploring.

Just before the Gara mountains is the famous Al Garash Dougha or Pottery Factory. This workshop has been passed down from father to son for many years. The pottery making goes through several stages. First the mud is gathered from the Harra Springs, then mixed with red and white mud and left to ferment for four days. Then it is spread out to dry and sprinkled with fine white sand.
Hanging from the ceiling was a unique fixture. I was told it is for making yogurt. After it is filled with milk then it is tied to a camel and the shaking forms yogurt. We did make another stop at a date processing factory for a quick tour of a sticky conveyor belt and bargaining for dates. Again it would have taken too much time to get Graham in and out of the car seat so we just remained on the bus.
At this point we would have been happy to just head home but we again returned to the resort for another wonderful meal.....grilled meats on yummy fresh flat bread.

Thin bread is made in clay ovens or on a piece of metal called Tawa. The dough is prepared in a big bowl before it rises. Tawa is then place into the fire and small piece of dough is put on top. Then it is spread by hand, or in this case slammed down with a big pillow, to cover the whole surface. The process was really fun to watch. I could not get enough of that hot yummy bread and since his set up was adjacent to our table is gave us easy, a bit too easy, access to the goods.

A little after 8 we loaded up to leave only to be stopped by the tour company and given a parting gift of dates and a woven flag. That was a very nice gesture to remember our day. As the kids drifted of to sleep we assumed that meant a struggle for baths and bed when we got home. Lucky for us they were too exhausted to even cry or fuss. Ethan practically slept through his bath and they all went down with out a hitch. Hallelujah!