I've heard a lot of things about Hofuf and it's famous tourist spot which is Judas cave. My immediate friends already went there last year, when i was still in Pinas, so that leaves me no chance to visit Judas Cave with them.
And last week my officemate invited me to join them to visist Hofuf and Judas cave, with contribution of 30 riyals for the car, i coudln't say no.
Sandstorm was at rage the day before our trip, and with zero visibility on the roads i though our trip would be cancelled the next day. Thank God the weather was cleared on the day of our trip and we've finally make our way to Hofuf.
The travel was a breeze, with less cars ont he road and no traffic. It only took us almost 1.5 hours to drive from Al-Khobar to Hofuf.
Upon arriving in Hofuf, we we're suppose to visit an old fort in the middle of the city, sadly it was closed (maybe because it was too early then). Though the fort is exactly the same as the one in Bahrain (Arad Fort) but this one is much smaller. Didn't took some pictures on it coz I haven't get over with the idea of taking-picture-in-public-and-the-police-might-take-you-away, hahaha! That's how paranoid I am.
Hofuf is know for its hundreds of dates farm. I think the place was the biggest oasis in Saudi Arabia. Oh how i missed the opportunity to visit the dates farm in Iran.My colleague's group who visited the dates farm even brought home some fresh dates, courtesy of the owner of the farm. I think he was happy to see foreigneners pass by his properties.
After 20 minutes of driving around Hofuf we've finally made our way to Judas Cave. Thought it was not as magnificent as the carved mountains of Iran nor as a organize tourist spot, every tourist would still be awed by the rock formations and designs that consist of Judas cave.
Our friend told us legend tells it that Judas went here after Jesus was arrested and crucified though there's no real basis about it.
Here are the pics around Judas cave, Enjoy!
And last week my officemate invited me to join them to visist Hofuf and Judas cave, with contribution of 30 riyals for the car, i coudln't say no.
Sandstorm was at rage the day before our trip, and with zero visibility on the roads i though our trip would be cancelled the next day. Thank God the weather was cleared on the day of our trip and we've finally make our way to Hofuf.
The travel was a breeze, with less cars ont he road and no traffic. It only took us almost 1.5 hours to drive from Al-Khobar to Hofuf.
Upon arriving in Hofuf, we we're suppose to visit an old fort in the middle of the city, sadly it was closed (maybe because it was too early then). Though the fort is exactly the same as the one in Bahrain (Arad Fort) but this one is much smaller. Didn't took some pictures on it coz I haven't get over with the idea of taking-picture-in-public-and-the-police-might-take-you-away, hahaha! That's how paranoid I am.
Hofuf is know for its hundreds of dates farm. I think the place was the biggest oasis in Saudi Arabia. Oh how i missed the opportunity to visit the dates farm in Iran.My colleague's group who visited the dates farm even brought home some fresh dates, courtesy of the owner of the farm. I think he was happy to see foreigneners pass by his properties.
After 20 minutes of driving around Hofuf we've finally made our way to Judas Cave. Thought it was not as magnificent as the carved mountains of Iran nor as a organize tourist spot, every tourist would still be awed by the rock formations and designs that consist of Judas cave.
Our friend told us legend tells it that Judas went here after Jesus was arrested and crucified though there's no real basis about it.
Here are the pics around Judas cave, Enjoy!
The not-so-long but winding road 
Weird insects doing something nasty! 
Rocks waiting to roll-over @ you!
Three fingers 
Entrance to the cave 
Towering Rockies 
Oneof the passage inside the cave. Funny but many people including babies on stroller visit this area as well. The lights from the lamp and dim sunlight makes a dramatic efffect on the place.
Sunlight peeking in the rocks. 
The only staircase that I found inside the cave.
Rock formation shape like a....????
View on half way to the top. 
The highest peak is over there. 
Entrance of the cave, view from the top.
Grand Canyon is that you?
The dates plantation in the horizon.
If you're a mountain trekker/rock formation lover/naturalist you'll definitely love the place! I did appreciate the place, eventhough i slipped twice when hiking the mountain and almost bang my camera when i made a duck walk just to enter a dead-end area. The hike to the top is the most exciting part of the trip coz the chance of accident is high, but the reward is worth it.
All in all, the trip was worth it. We enjoy the trip and surely, if God permits, I'll make a second trip to Hofuf, but next time i'll visit the dates palm.
Oh, here's my solo shot shoots pala from my camera. What yah think? LOL!
Walang basagan ng trip =P
HAPPY WEEKEND EVERYONE!