
English: 
- So today I am flying
Saudia to Saudi Arabia.
(upbeat music)
Not sure what's inside Saudi Arabia life.
- There's nothing to be
afraid of Saudi Arabia.
- Getting even more open.
(laughter)
- And it's interesting to see
Yemeni and Egyptian fighting.
- Do you want to take a photo?
- Many people are scared
to come to Saudia Arabia.
- We are working now for the future.
Leave the past.
- The Chop Chop Square, the
execution place in the past.
- I don't blame the
people around the world
that they think we are terrorists.
- I feel like I'm the
richest king in the world.
Hopefully I don't get burned.
That is a proper gift, look at this.
- We call it the bottle opener.
- (laughs)
This is fun.
This is incredible, woo hoo.
(music gets louder)
I'm at the end of the world.
(music ends with a pop)
Thank you.
(upbeat music)
- Thank you.
- Okay, thank you.

Arabic: 
- So today I am flying
Saudia to Saudi Arabia.
(upbeat music)
Not sure what's inside Saudi Arabia life.
- There's nothing to be
afraid of Saudi Arabia.
- Getting even more open.
(upbeat music)
(both laughing)
- And it's interesting to see
Yemeni and Egyptian fighter.
- [Woman] Do you want to take a photo?
- Many people are scared
to come to Saudia Arabia.
- We are working now for the future.
Leave the past.
- The Chop Chop Square, the
execution place in the past.
I don't blame the people around the world
that they think we are terrorists.
- I feel like I'm the
richest king in the world.
Hopefully, I don't get burned.
That is a proper gift, look at this.
- [Man] We call it the bottle opener.
- (laughs) This is fun.
This is incredible. (cheers)
I'm at the end of the world.
(techno music)
Thank you.
(techno pop music)
- Thank you.
- Okay, thank you.

English: 
(upbeat music)
Smell the spices, smell the
fires coming out, beef massaman.
Thank you.
(upbeat techno music)
- May I see your boarding pass please?
Okay, Mr. Sam,
welcome aboard this is your seat,
will be from the other side.
My colleague, she will
- Please,
- take you to your side.
- Let me take you to the seat.
- Welcome aboard.
- [Sam] Thank you, very much.
- You are welcome.
- [Sam] Nice nice, going take my bag.
- Hi.
- [Sam] Hello.
- Welcome aboard.
- [Sam] Hi,
how are you doing?
(aeroplane cabin noise)
(chatter on aeroplane)
- Hi everybody, this is
Captain Fahd bin Sayyid

Arabic: 
(techno pop music)
Smell the spices, smell the
fires coming out, beef massaman.
(techno pop music)
Thank you.
(techno pop music)
- May I see your boarding pass, please?
Okay, Mr. Sam.
Welcome aboard.
This is your seat, will
be from the other side.
My colleague, she will
take you to your (mumbles).
- Please, let me take you to the seat.
- Oh, really?
- Welcome aboard.
- [Sam] Thank you. Thank you very much.
- [Stewardess] You are welcome.
- [Sam] Nice, nice. You
can take my bag. Thank you.
- Hi.
- Hello.
- Welcome aboard.
- [Sam] Hi, how are you doing?
(people chattering)
- Hi everybody, this is
Captain Fahd bin Sayyid
With my flight partner
today, Captain Ahmed Al-Issa,

Arabic: 
flying flight number 559
to destination Riyadh.
Flight time will be
one hour, forty minutes
and cruise altitude will be 380.
Welcome Saudia Airlines, thank you.
(upbeat music)
- [Stewardess] Enjoy
your orange juice, sir.
- [Sam] Thank you, thank you.
- [Captain Ahmed Al-Issa]
We are clear for departure.
- [Sam] Thank you.
- (mumbles)?
- (mumbles) with some almonds.
- [Sam] Uh, huh.
- This is makroudh, ajwa, and
this is (mumbles) orange peel.
- To pushback, face East.
(mumbles) 5-A-Charlie.
Starting engine number 2.
- [Air Traffic Controller]
Flight of 559 departing ground,
taxi Zulu, crossover Y on Zulu 6
Kilo hold, Kilo-Lima.
- [Captain Sayyid] Zulu, Zulu 6. Kilo at
hold at Kilo-Lima, Saudia 559.
- [Air Traffic Controller] Saudia 559,
Mike-William-Boy-Mike-1-3.

English: 
With my flight partner
today, Captain Ahmed Al-Issa,
flying flight number 559
to destination Riyadh.
Flight time will be
one hour, forty minutes
and cruise altitude will be 380.
Welcome Saudia Airlines, thank you.
(string instrument plays)
- Enjoy your orange juice.
- [Sam] Thank you, thank you.
- [Captain Ahmed Al-Issa]
Prepare plane for departure.
(cup clinks)
- [Sam] Thank you.
- Can I interest you in some dates?
- With some almonds.
- [Sam] Uh huh.
- This is Makroudh, Ajwa, and this is
means to be orange peel.
- To pushback, face East.
(calming music)
Aeroplane 5-A-Charlie.
Starting engine number 2.
(loud aeroplane noises)
- [Air Traffic Controller]
Flight of 559 departing ground,
taxi Zulu, crossover Y on Zulu 6
Kilo hold, Kilo-Lima.
- [Captain Sayyid] Zulu, Zulu 6. Kilo at
hold at Kilo-Lima, Saudia 559.
- [Air Traffic Controller] Saudia 559,
Mike-William-Boy-Mike-1-3.

Arabic: 
- [Captain Sayyid] Mike-Mike-1-3.
I got 380, 2380 depart before us.
- [Air Traffic Controller]
Saudia 559 behind GM380
on the runway, land off runway 309 behind.
- [Captain Sayyid] The line
up and wait three-zero right,
runway depart follows clear.
- [Air Traffic Controller]
Saudia 559, wind is
332 degrees 9-0, see to the
right and clear takeoff.
- [Captain Sayyid] Clear for takeoff,
runway take a right Saudia 559.
Ready Captain? - Ready.
- Out of control. - I have control.
- Check off. - MAN Flex 62 SRS Runway.
- Auto thrust? - Check.
- Thrusted.
100 knots? - Check.
(loud plane noises)
- [Captain Al-Issa] Got it.
Permission to climb?
- [Captain Sayyid] Up.
- [Captain Al-Issa] Captain you thrust?
- [Captain Sayyid] I thrust now.
(plane engine noise)
- FAV zero.
(plane engine noise)

English: 
- [Captain Sayyid] Mike-Mike-1-3.
I got 380, 2380 depart before us.
- [Air Traffic Controller]
Saudia 559 behind GM380
on the runway, land off runway 309 behind.
- [Captain Sayyid] The line
up and wait three-zero right,
runway depart follows clear.
- [Air Traffic Controller]
Saudia 559, wind is
332 degrees 9-0, see to the
right and clear takeoff.
- [Captain Sayyid] Clear for takeoff,
runway take a right Saudia 559.
Ready Captain?
- Ready.
- Out of control.
- I have control.
- Check off.
- MAN Flex 62 SRS Runway.
- Autothrust?
- Check.
- Thrusted.
100 knots?
- Check.
(loud plane noises)
- [Captain Al-Issa] Got it.
Permission to climb?
- [Captain Sayyid] Up.
- [Captain Al-Issa] Captain you thrust?
- [Captain Sayyid] I thrust now.
(plane engine noise)
- FAV zero.

Arabic: 
- Afternoon, this is Saudia 559 at
altitude 2,400.
- [Air Traffic Controller]
Saudia 559, on Dubai depart
too, good afternoon.
IDENT to fly the climb value
side A to flight level 150.
- [Captain Sayyid]
Continue flight level 150
with Zed Saudia 559.
- You know, I've never
been to Saudi Arabia,
most people are rich, I'm not sure what's
inside Saudi Arabia.
On this three thirty to here,
two, two, two, I'm going to tell you,
it's a little narrow to me.
You see this? It's a little narrow.
I can lower this to make a bit more room.
The nice thing is it's a fully flat bed,
on a regional flight,
an hour and a half,
you have flat bed here.
However, I got to tell you something nice
is that the privacy is
good. I don't get to see
my nextdoor neighbour when I'm fully
in reclined position,
so at least you can have
some good rest on a
short flight like this.
(loud jazzy guitar music)

English: 
(plane engine noise)
- Afternoon, this is Saudia 559 at
altitude 2,400.
- [Air Traffic Controller]
Saudia 559, on Dubai depart
too, good afternoon.
IDENT to fly the climb value
side A to flight level 150.
- [Captain Sayyid]
Continue flight level 150
with Zed Saudia 559.
- You know, I've never
been to Saudi Arabia,
most people are rich, I'm not sure what's
inside Saudi Arabia.
On this three thirty to here,
two, two, two, I'm going to tell you,
it's a little narrow to me.
You see this? It's a little narrow.
I can lower this to make a bit more room.
The nice thing is it's a fully flat bed,
on a regional flight,
an hour and a half,
you have flat bed here.
However, I got to tell you something nice
is that the privacy is
good. I don't get to see
my nextdoor neighbour when I'm fully
in reclined position,
so at least you can have
some good rest on a
short flight like this.
(loud jazzy guitar music)

English: 
The business class is pretty full,
economy is pretty empty
here, I've got all the
seats in the middle literally empty.
[Sam] Hello, hi.
- Hey. How are you?
- [Sam] Yay. Can you show us what we have
for economy class today?
- Yes, of course. Absolutely.
So for today, this flight to
Riyadh, we have a small box,
it's a very easy box.
- [Sam] Oh it's a bag
you can take it home with?
- Yes, it's easy.
So inside you have this water,
- [Sam] Water.
- and we have cake as well,
- [Sam] Cake.
- and juice.
- [Sam] And juice.
- Don't forget, our choices of
hot sandwiches.
- [Sam] What's this?
- This is chicken.
- [Sam] Sandwiches?
- Yes.
- [Sam] Ah so you have a sandwich as well?
- Yeah, we have two kinds of sandwich.
One vegetarian and one chicken.
(energetic happy music)

Arabic: 
The business class is pretty full,
economy is pretty empty
here, I've got all the
seats in the middle literally empty.
[Sam] Hello, hi. - Hey. How are you?
- [Sam] Yay. Can you show us what we have
for economy class today? -
Yes, of course. Absolutely.
So for today, this flight to
Riyadh, we have a small box,
it's a very easy box.
- [Sam] Oh it's a bag
you can take it home
with? - Yes, it's easy.
So inside you have this
water, - [Sam] Water.
- and we have cake as well, - [Sam] Cake.
- and juice. - [Sam] And juice.
- Don't forget, our choices of
hot sandwiches. - [Sam] What's this?
- This is chicken. - [Sam] Sandwiches?
- Yes.
- [Sam] Ah so you have a sandwich as well?
- Yeah, we have two kinds of sandwich.
One vegetarian and one chicken.
(energetic happy music)

English: 
(laughing)
- [Sam] I'm going to fall
and land on top of you.
From which country?
- Saudi Arabia.
- Saudi?
- Yes.
- Nice to see you man.
You're sleeping and I gave you a shock,
I was filming on top of
you. Sorry about that.
Have a good rest man, have a good rest.
- I thought it was a dream.
(both laughing)
- You felt suddenly there was a
camera on top, okay have a good rest.
(calming electric guitar music)
Thank you very much, thank you.
(hip acoustic music)
(silverware clinking)
Good dish, very nice.
- Yes, he might want to
take a photo with you.
- Oh, you want to take a photo?
Honestly I'm a bit nervous
to go to Saudi Arabia.
- Don't, don't be.
- I heard so much different

Arabic: 
(laughing)
- [Sam] I'm going to fall
and land on top of you.
From which country?
- Saudi Arabia. - Saudi?
- Yes. - Nice to see you man.
You're sleeping and I gave you a shock,
I was filming on top of
you. Sorry about that.
Have a good rest man, have a good rest.
- I thought it was a
dream. (both laughing)
- You felt suddenly there was a
camera on top, okay have a good rest.
(calming electric guitar music)
Thank you very much, thank you.
(hip acoustic music)
(silverware clinking)
Good dish, very nice.
- Yes, he might want to
take a photo with you.
- Oh, you want to take a photo?
Honestly I'm a bit nervous
to go to Saudi Arabia.
- Don't, don't be. - I
heard so much different
- No, don't be. - contrasting stories.

Arabic: 
- Okay, I'm Saudi, okay? - You're Saudi?
- I'm Saudi. I was raised in
London and then the states,
- Oh, you're very open-minded.
- Yeah you know, compared
to Saudis, guess I am.
(laughs) So, you'd
really actually like it,
it depends exactly where
you're going to go,
where they're going to take you.
- We're going to do Riyadh - Okay.
- Then we're going to go to Jeddah,
but in the end, we're going to go to Abha.
- It's like beautiful nature there.
- Yeah, so we want to see the city,
we want to see Jeddah, and
then we want to see Abha
which is more countryside.
- The nature side. - The nature, yeah.
Now, as a woman in Saudi Arabia,
you don't need to cover anymore?
It's up to you? - It
depends it's up to girls,
some of the girls now are going out
without abayas, and they wanted to see how
they could react with them.
No one touches them. -
Society is slowly changing?
- Society is slowly changing.
It's a big gap, actually.
- Big gap. - Within two years,
the best thing that he did was giving
the girls licence to drive the car,
which is a really good thing happening.
- That's amazing. - Yes.

English: 
- No, don't be.
- contrasting stories.
- Okay, I'm Saudi, okay?
- You're Saudi?
- I'm Saudi. I was raised in
London and then the states,
- Oh, you're very open-minded.
- Yeah you know, compared
to Saudis, guess I am.
(laughs) So, you'd
really actually like it,
it depends exactly where
you're going to go,
where they're going to take you.
- We're going to do Riyadh
- Okay.
- Then we're going to go to Jeddah,
but in the end, we're going to go to Abha.
- It's like beautiful nature there.
- Yeah, so we want to see the city,
we want to see Jeddah, and
then we want to see Abha
which is more countryside.
- The nature side.
- The nature, yeah.
Now, as a woman in Saudi Arabia,
you don't need to cover anymore?
It's up to you?
- It depends it's up to girls,
some of the girls now are going out
without abayas, and they wanted to see how
they could react with them.
No one touches them.
- Society is slowly changing?
- Society is slowly changing.
It's a big gap, actually.
- Big gap.
- Within two years,
the best thing that he did was giving
the girls licence to drive the car,
which is a really good thing happening.
- That's amazing.
- Yes.

English: 
- And now you're driving?
- Yes, thank god I took my licence.
- Whatever Rana just told me
just adds on to my curiosity,
more curiosity about Saudi Arabia.
- There's nothing to be afraid of,
Saudi Arabia is very peaceful
and wonderful country.
It's turning out to becoming a blossoming,
into a very fine place and area.
- I'm feeling better
already, after I met you.
- No believe me,
- I'm feeling better.
- You feel safe, you feel secure.
The people there are very,
very friendly.
- Yes.
- Very friendly, they
would always welcome you,
and you feel like you
were actually at home.
(hip acoustic music)
- You tell me where you're from,
I know you're from Philippines.
- Absolutely.
- Where you from?
- I'm from Malaysia.
- Malaysia.
- I'm from Greece.
- Greece.
- From Tunisia.
- Tunisia.
- Also from Tunisia.
- Tunisia.
- I'm from Bosnia.
- Bosnia.
Wow, there's lots of
nationalities on Saudia.
What's working with Saudia like? I'd like

Arabic: 
- And now you're driving?
- Yes, thank god I took my licence.
- Whatever Rana just told me
just adds on to my curiosity,
more curiosity about Saudi Arabia.
- There's nothing to be afraid of,
Saudi Arabia is very peaceful
and wonderful country.
It's turning out to becoming a blossoming,
into a very fine place and area.
- I'm feeling better
already, after I met you.
- No believe me, - I'm feeling better.
- You feel safe, you feel secure.
The people there are very,
very friendly. - Yes.
- Very friendly, they
would always welcome you,
and you feel like you
were actually at home.
(hip acoustic music)
- You tell me where you're from,
I know you're from Philippines.
- Absolutely. - Where you from?
- I'm from Malaysia. - Malaysia.
- I'm from Greece. - Greece.
- From Tunisia. - Tunisia.
- Also from Tunisia. - Tunisia.
- I'm from Bosnia. - Bosnia.
Wow, there's lots of
nationalities on Saudia.
What's working with Saudia like? I'd like

English: 
to hear the girls story, can some of you
tell me what work for Saudia is like?
Is it easy, is it hard
work? Do you miss home?
Because you know, I
heard stories like people
don't get treated so well and all that.
I just want to hear from
what you guys think.
- Yeah.
- Tell me the truth.
- I have heard that me as European,
because we are much more far from Greece.
- Yeah, you're from Greece.
- Yes, and we are open-minded,
so coming to Saudi
Arabia, I thought I would
have to stop a lot of
hobbies and it will be
much different. Actually,
the woman here is respected.
It's something you
haven't heard much about,
but actually we are quite privileged.
Not only working for Saudia
airlines, but also in the
country, the woman is taken
with a lot of respect.
If you look deep into their country,
you might find that as its true.
(hopeful string music)

Arabic: 
to hear the girls story, can some of you
tell me what work for Saudia is like?
Is it easy, is it hard
work? Do you miss home?
Because you know, I
heard stories like people
don't get treated so well and all that.
I just want to hear from
what you guys think.
- Yeah. - Tell me the truth.
- I have heard that me as European,
because we are much more far from Greece.
- Yeah, you're from Greece. -
Yes, and we are open-minded,
so coming to Saudi
Arabia, I thought I would
have to stop a lot of
hobbies. and it will be
much different. Actually,
the woman here is respected.
It's something you
haven't heard much about,
but actually we are quite privileged.
Not only working for Saudia
airlines, but also in the
country, the woman is taken
with a lot of respect.
If you look deep into their country,
you might find that as it's true.
(hopeful string music)

English: 
- [Air Traffic Controller] Saudia 559,
descend five thousand.
- [Captain Sayyid] Five
thousand Saudia flight 559.
Lights.
- Call tower squawk Saudia 559
- [Air Traffic Controller]
711 left Saudia 559,
heading, altitude. Can you
approach runway 115 number 2?
- [Captain Sayyid] Taking
the approach number 2
and 115 for the altimeter.
- [Captain Al-Issa] Taking
approach, gear down.
- [Captain Sayyid] Let the gear down.
Thrust me, don't brake.
- Saudia 559, take wind 17007
North runway 155, free to land.
- [Captain Sayyid] 155
free to land Saudia 559.
(peaceful music)

Arabic: 
- [Air Traffic Controller] Saudia 559,
descend five thousand.
- [Captain Sayyid] Five
thousand Saudia flight 559.
Lights. - Call tower squawk Saudia 559
- [Air Traffic Controller]
711 left Saudia 559,
heading, altitude. Can you
approach runway 115 number 2?
- [Captain Sayyid] Taking
the approach number 2
and 115 for the altimeter.
- [Captain Al-Issa] Taking
approach, gear down.
- [Captain Sayyid] Let the gear down.
Thrust me, don't brake. -
Saudia 559, take wind 17007
North runway 155, free to land.
- [Captain Sayyid] 155
free to land Saudia 559.
(peaceful music)

English: 
(robotic voice counts down)
Decelerate, reverse green.
Crawl out.
(peaceful melancholy music)
(logo whooshes in)
(happy music)
- Here we go, we just
landed at Riyadh, my first
entry point of Saudi Arabia.
Well guys, you probably remember I've been
carrying this suitcase
over the last 18 months.
Probably done about half a million miles.
Why I love this suitcase?
Because it's just so durable.
It's a high quality, full
wheel spinning suitcase
at a fraction price of the competitor,

Arabic: 
(robotic voice counts down)
Decelerate, reverse green.
Crawl out.
(peaceful melancholy music)
(logo whooshes in)
(happy music) - Here we go, we just
landed at Riyadh, my first
entry point of Saudi Arabia.
Well guys, you probably remember I've been
carrying this suitcase
over the last 18 months.
Probably done about half a million miles.
Why I love this suitcase?
Because it's just so durable.
It's a high quality, full
wheel spinning suitcase
at a fraction price of the competitor,

English: 
because this Away Travel suitcase.
It came with various colours,
four different sizes.
There's a couple features
I love about my suitcase.
The TSA approved lock
here, there's a removable
battery in the slot here
that can charge your iPhone.
Also, I have this very
slick looking Away Day Pack.
What I love about this day
pack is it's my camera bag,
it holds lots of stuff
inside, it sits securely
on top of the handle of the Away suitcase.
I always travel light with this and that,
it's all compatible carry-on.
Travelling during the Holidays is crazy,
but getting Away can make
every trip a lot more seamless.
Visit awaytravel.com/sam20 to learn more.
If you're in the US, EU,
UK, Canada, or Australia,
order by 11:59 on December 15th for free
shipping with guaranteed
free delivery by December 20.
Happy Holidays.
(logo wooshes in)
- See you next time, thank you
bye-bye.
- Bye-bye.
- I heard lots of positive
stories on my flight to
Saudi Arabia, but now I
just arrived and I can't
wait to explore and show
you guys what's inside like.

Arabic: 
because this Away Travel suitcase.
It came with various colours,
four different sizes.
There's a couple features
I love about my suitcase.
The TSA approved lock
here, there's a removable
battery in the slot here
that can charge your iPhone.
Also, I have this very
slick looking Away Day Pack.
What I love about this day
pack is it's my camera bag,
it holds lots of stuff
inside, it sits securely
on top of the handle of the Away suitcase.
I always travel light with this and that,
it's all compatible carry-on.
Travelling during the Holidays is crazy,
but getting Away can make
every trip a lot more seamless.
Visit awaytravel.com/sam20 to learn more.
If you're in the US, EU,
UK, Canada, or Australia,
order by 11:59 on December 15th for free
shipping with guaranteed
free delivery by December 20.
Happy Holidays.
(logo wooshes in) - See
you next time, thank you
bye-bye. - Bye-bye.
- I heard lots of positive
stories on my flight to
Saudi Arabia, but now I
just arrived and I can't
wait to explore and show
you guys what's inside like.

English: 
Very nice welcome fountain
here, it's actually
very pleasing this fountain, and the
design is quite unique as well.
Look at these things
here, visa on arrival,
international connecting
flights, baggage reclaim.
You can follow the signs,
go to visa on arrival,
that's what I'm going to do.
(hopeful hip music)
- So this is a self-service machine
that issues visas upon
arrival. So any passenger
who comes without a visa
to Saudi Arabia can get
a tourist visa through this
self-servicing machine.
- Took about four
fingerprints, and then a photo,
and then you're in the kingdom.
- Morning Sam,
- Good morning, hi.
- Hi.
- How are you?
- Good, good.
- And you are my
tour guide?
- Yes, my name is Mehtabh

Arabic: 
Very nice welcome fountain
here, it's actually
very pleasing this fountain, and the
design is quite unique as well.
Look at these things
here, visa on arrival,
international connecting
flights, baggage reclaim.
You can follow the signs,
go to visa on arrival,
that's what I'm going to do.
(hopeful hip music)
- So this is a self-service machine
that issues visas upon
arrival. So any passenger
who comes without a visa
to Saudi Arabia can get
a tourist visa through this
self-servicing machine.
- Took about four
fingerprints, and then a photo,
and then you're in the kingdom.
- Morning Sam, - Good morning, hi.
- Hi. - How are you?
- Good, good. - And you are my
tour guide? - Yes, my name is Mehtabh

Arabic: 
it means exhauster, I make people tired.
- It means exhausted?
- It really means that.
- I'm already exhausted.
(both laugh)
(old-sounding guitar song plays)
- So we're heading now to Masmak Fortress
and the old market, it's
the old Riyadh basically
and where the unification of
Saudi Arabia started from.
And then we are going
to have a nice cultural
or traditional lunch, and then we're going
to go to the edge of the world.
(peaceful music)
So we are in King Fahd Road, that connects
between the North and South of Riyadh
and it crosses from the middle.
The Northern part of King Fahd Road,
it's the new buildings. And as far as
long as we're driving toward the South,
the buildings get older and older.
So you can see the history
of Riyadh through this road.
(retro keyboard music)
We're going first to the market,

English: 
it means exhauster, I make people tired.
- It means exhausted?
- It really means that.
- I'm already exhausted.
(both laugh)
(old-sounding guitar song plays)
- So we're heading now to Masmak Fortress
and the old market, it's
the old Riyadh basically
and where the unification of
Saudi Arabia started from.
And then we are going
to have a nice cultural
or traditional lunch, and then we're going
to go to the edge of the world.
So we are in King Fahd Road, that connects
between the North and South of Riyadh
and it crosses from the middle.
The Northern part of King Fahd Road,
it's the new buildings. And as far as
long as we're driving toward the South,
the buildings get older and older.
So you can see the history
of Riyadh through this road.
(retro keyboard music)
We're going first to the market,

English: 
you use the time before
they close for prayer.
- All right.
- A group prayer,
which it almost starts in 45 minutes,
and then we're coming to Masmak Fortress.
- Oh this is the fortress?
- Yes, it is.
(men speaking in foreign language)
- [Sam] Hello.
(men laughing)
- He's from Yemen and and he's from Egypt,
and it's interesting to see
Yemeni and Egyptian fighting.
(laughs)
- Can you tell us what
is this gold thing here?
- In the West, they have
the suits if they want
to go to official meetings or something.
This is the official, the one on the top.
(boy speaking in foreign language)
- Whoa.
(both laughing)
This is at least about
8 pounds, 10 pounds.
This is where all the kings and leaders
and the sheikhs wear.
- [Mehtabh] And even anyone
who's having like me,
if I'm getting married,
- Have a huge pocket, whoa.

Arabic: 
you use the time before
they close for prayer.
- All right. - A group prayer,
which it almost starts in 45 minutes,
and then we're coming to Masmak Fortress.
- Oh this is the fortress? - Yes, it is.
(men speaking in foreign language)
- [Sam] Hello.
(men laughing)
- He's from Yemen and and he's from Egypt,
and it's interesting to see
Yemeni and Egyptian fighting.
(laughs)
- Can you tell us what
is this gold thing here?
- In the West, they have
the suits if they want
to go to official meetings or something.
This is the official, the one on the top.
(boy speaking in foreign language)
- Whoa. (both laughing)
This is at least about
8 pounds, 10 pounds.
This is where all the kings and leaders
and the sheikhs wear.
- [Mehtabh] And even anyone
who's having like me,
if I'm getting married, -
Have a huge pocket, whoa.

Arabic: 
- Or going to visit someone. (Sam laughs)
- I feel like I'm the
richest king in the world
with all my golds behind me.
It's not easy to explore without a local
tour guide to take you around.
You speak the local language, you make
good relationships, and
I just take the cake.
It's far easier to have a
tour guide in Saudi Arabia
than you exploring alone. This is not like
you can just tag along London,
look at your Lonely Planet.
I'm not coming to Saudi
Arabia to see Starbucks,
to see all the Western
brands, I want to experience
something local, authentic
interaction as well.
(stall owners speaking
in foreign language)
It's people from Yemen,
very good business.
- [Mehtabh] They're
controlling our business.
- Oh they're controlling Saudi's business.
(laughing)
(Sam grunts and coughs)
(laughing) (man speaking Arabic)
Oh, I'm not used to it.
It's strong. Very strong.
That's how you do it. - Hey.
- This is giving you the perfume.
- Not to make any of the smoke go away.

English: 
- Or going to visit someone.
(Sam laughs)
- I feel like I'm the
richest king in the world
with all my golds behind me.
It's not easy to explore without a local
tour guide to take you around.
You speak the local language, you make
good relationships, and
I just take the cake.
It's far easier to have a
tour guide in Saudi Arabia
than you exploring alone. This is not like
you can just tag along London,
look at your Lonely Planet.
I'm not coming to Saudi
Arabia to see Starbucks,
to see all the Western
brands, I want to experience
something local, authentic
interaction as well.
(stall owners speaking
in foreign language)
It's people from Yemen,
very good business.
- [Mehtabh] They're
controlling our business.
- Oh they're controlling Saudi's business.
(laughing)
(Sam grunts and coughs)
(laughing)
(man speaking Arabic)
Oh, I'm not used to it.
It's strong. Very strong.
That's how you do it.
- Hey.
- This is giving you the perfume.
- Not to make any of the smoke go away.

English: 
- I never knew how to do this.
I don't have one, I'll do it here.
Hopefully I don't get burned.
But you mean old time, what did they use?
Did they use for
- It was the weapon.
- Weapon.
- Until King Abdul Aziz came
in 1902, they used the
swords in that battle
and they used the spearheads.
- It's a real spearhead, yeah.
Wow, you could give me
a sword. Look at this.
That is a proper gift, look at this.
This is it, this is coming out.
Whoa, we're not in the Star
Wars, this is Saudi Arabia.
(sword unsheathes)
- He left to go to pray,
but he left his shop open.
- Yeah.
- No one steals from this.
- Wow.
I feel like I'm going back in time,
the VHS cassette, look at this television.
This is like before I was
born, this stuff was here.
(oud music plays)

Arabic: 
- I never knew how to do this.
I don't have one, I'll do it here.
Hopefully I don't get burned.
But you mean old time, what did they use?
Did they use for - It was the weapon.
- Weapon. - Until King Abdul Aziz came
in 1902, they used the
swords in that battle
and they used the spearheads.
- It's a real spearhead, yeah.
Wow, you could give me
a sword. Look at this.
That is a proper gift, look at this.
This is it, this is coming out.
Whoa, we're not in the Star
Wars, this is Saudi Arabia.
(sword unsheathes)
- He left to go to pray,
but he left his shop open.
- Yeah. - No one steals from this.
- Wow.
I feel like I'm going back in time,
the VHS cassette, look at this television.
This is like before I was
born, this stuff was here.
(oud music plays)

Arabic: 
- So they are going to
build the old Riyadh
with the old method of
how it was, stones or mud.
And then they will
continue make it bigger.
- Right, so it becomes a big tourist spot?
- Yes.
- [Sam] Glasses, I like. - Oh thank you.
Do you want to take a photo?
- [Sam] I wonder can I
take a photo with you two?
- You want to take a photo with him?
- [Sam] Yeah with your glasses,
(women talking to each
other) sunglasses, yeah.
Ah, your badge, yeah.
What is your job? What do you do?
- We working in the
police. - You are police?
- No, we are not the
police, - Women police?
- No, we are like accountant. - Uh huh.
(oud music)
- [Mehtabh] This fortress
was built in 1865.
When King Abdul Aziz came to
start the third Saudi state.
- You are welcome. - To
understand, to learn,
- Yes, please have a seat.
- The start of the kingdom.

English: 
- So they are going to
build the old Riyadh
with the old method of
how it was, stones or mud.
And then they will
continue make it bigger.
- Right, so it becomes a big tourist spot?
- Yes.
- [Sam] Glasses, I like.
- Oh thank you.
Do you want to take a photo?
- [Sam] I wonder can I
take a photo with you two?
- You want to take a photo with him?
- [Sam] Yeah with your glasses,
(women talking to each other)
sunglasses, yeah.
Ah, your badge, yeah.
What is your job? What do you do?
- We working in the police.
- You are police?
- No, we are not the police,
- Women police?
- No, we are like accountant.
- Uh huh.
(oud music)
- [Mehtabh] This fortress
was built in 1865.
When King Abdul Aziz came to
start the third Saudi state.
- You are welcome.
- To understand, to learn,
- Yes, please have a seat.
- The start of the kingdom.

English: 
But I was scared, I felt.
Many people are scared
to come to Saudi Arabia.
- No, no, that's the media outlet.
When you come, it will
seem being different.
Not only different for
protection, even on in television.
Big difference, now we have
new comrades, thanks Muhammad.
Do very, very good to stay.
We are working now on the future.
Leave the past. Future.
- This is me, 17 years ago.
- [Sam] Yeah?
- Yes.
- [Sam] You're kidding.
(laughing)
- That is what they call the
Chop Chop Square,
(scary music)
the execution place, in the past.
- [Sam] Execution? Chop chop.
- [Mehtabh] Yes,
but I want to explain this,
what is the system of execution.
It is actually the system
that keeps the right
for the family of the
victim. If I'm murdered,
it becomes the right
of my family to decide

Arabic: 
But I was scared, I felt.
Many people are scared
to come to Saudi Arabia.
- No, no, that's the media outlet.
When you come, it will
seem being different.
Not only different for
protection, even on in television.
Big difference, now we have
new comrades, thanks Muhammad.
Do very, very good to stay.
We are working now on the future.
Leave the past. Future.
- This is me, 17 years ago. - [Sam] Yeah?
- Yes. - [Sam] You're kidding.
(laughing)
- That is what they call the
Chop Chop Square, (scary music)
the execution place, in the past.
- [Sam] Execution? Chop
chop. - [Mehtabh] Yes,
but I want to explain this,
what is the system of execution.
It is actually the system
that keeps the right
for the family of the
victim. If I'm murdered,
it becomes the right
of my family to decide

Arabic: 
about that murderer,
to be executed or not.
So the government is doing
what my family decided.
There is another execution
system, is for public damage,
like terrorists, who cause
death to many people.
That becomes a decision
for the government.
- Lots of people think that there are lots
of terrorists in Saudi Arabia.
- I don't blame the
people around the world
that they think we are terrorists,
because we have been a quiet society,
not many people come
to visit Saudi Arabia,
there was no tourism here in Saudi Arabia.
So people don't know anything about us,
the only person who came from
this society is Bin Laden
so they think we're all
just like Bin Laden.
- Osama Bin Laden. - Yeah.
(scary music fades into percussive song)
- I see, this is the most famous building.

English: 
about that murderer,
to be executed or not.
So the government is doing
what my family decided.
There is another execution
system, is for public damage,
like terrorists, who cause
death to many people.
That becomes a decision
for the government.
- Lots of people think that there are lots
of terrorists in Saudi Arabia.
- I don't blame the
people around the world
that they think we are terrorists,
because we have been a quiet society,
not many people come
to visit Saudi Arabia,
there was no tourism here in Saudi Arabia.
So people don't know anything about us,
the only person who came from
this society is Bin Laden
so they think we're all
just like Bin Laden.
- Osama Bin Laden.
- Yeah.
(scary music fades into percussive song)
- I see, this is the most famous building.

English: 
The Kingdom Centre.
- We call it the bottle opener
(laughing)
- The bottle opener, it does look like it.
Right now it's lunchtime,
I believe I'm going into
a Saudi traditional Saudi restaurant.
This is not the restaurant
I was expecting,
this is quite traditional actually.
(water running)
Look at this water coming out.
- It's the rules by the
Minister Faul Al Saud of
Riyadh region that every restaurant
has to have a glass window,
so that people can see
how the people cook inside,
how they cook the food.
(upbeat drum music)

Arabic: 
The Kingdom Centre. - We
call it the bottle opener
(laughing)
- The bottle opener, it does look like it.
(scary music)
Right now it's lunchtime,
I believe I'm going into
a Saudi traditional Saudi restaurant.
This is not the restaurant
I was expecting,
this is quite traditional actually.
(water running)
Look at this water coming out.
- It's the rules by the
Minister Faul Al Saud of
Riyadh region that every restaurant
has to have a glass window,
so that people can see
how the people cook inside,
how they cook the food.

Arabic: 
Well this is my meal number one, in Saudi,
and before I eat, I learned one thing,
Saudi people love food, they eat a lot.
Let's not delay it
anymore. - [Mehtabh] Yes.
(speaking in foreign language)
Now we're heading to Edge of the World.
It's a cliff, it's escarpment,
that is about 200 metres
to 250 metres high.
- [Sam] Where we going?
(Mehtabh speaking Arabic)
On the last leg is a gravel
road, and he's deflating the
tyres so the tyres can
travel on the dirt track.

English: 
- How to get it?
Well this is my meal number one, in Saudi,
and before I eat, I learned one thing,
Saudi people love food, they eat a lot.
Let's not delay it anymore.
- [Mehtabh] Yes.
(speaking in foreign language)
Now we're heading to Edge of the World.
It's a cliff, it's escarpment,
that is about 200 metres
to 250 metres high.
- [Sam] Where we going?
(Mehtabh speaking Arabic)
On the last leg is a gravel
road, and he's deflating the
tyres so the tyres can
travel on the dirt track.

Arabic: 
(pressurised air escaping tyres)
- [Sam] Here comes the real Saudi driver,
only in one rally in the empty
quarter of Saudi Arabia.
(cool rock music)
(car revving up)
Thanks to four wheel drive, we're doing
like a hundred kilometre an
hour in the empty desert here.
This is fun. (Sam laughing)
I love it, so fun
(teckno music)
Whoa, my god. This is incredible.
I was in the front seat and he literally

English: 
(pressurised air escaping tyres)
- [Sam] Here comes the real Saudi driver,
only in one rally in the empty
quarter of Saudi Arabia.
(cool rock music)
(car revving up)
Thanks to four wheel drive, we're doing
like a hundred kilometre an
hour in the empty desert here.
This is fun.
(Sam laughing)
I love it, so fun.
Whoa, my god. This is incredible.
I was in the front seat and he literally

Arabic: 
just parked, and then look at this.
It feels like this is
the end of the world.
It's called the Edge of the World,
about and hour and a half from Riyadh.
So 800 kilometres of cliff? - Yes.
- And it suddenly drops?
- It goes between 100
to 200 high, the cliff. - That's amazing.
And it was like an actual
wall for the people
in the past. - It's a natural wall.
- It protects from the West.
- Yeah, they cannot come in.
Wow, it's pretty amazing,
look at the sunset there.
Hello! (Sam's voice echoes)
You can hear your echo in here.
Woo, I'm the end of the
world, look at this.
Amazing.
Woo hoo! (wind blowing)
What's incredible is
there's no tourists here,
I'm the only tourist here. The whole place
is empty, it's quiet, incredible.

English: 
just parked, and then look at this.
It feels like this is
the end of the world.
It's called the Edge of the World,
about and hour and a half from Riyadh.
So 800 kilometres of cliff?
- Yes.
- And it suddenly drops?
- It goes between 100
to 200 high, the cliff.
- That's amazing.
And it was like an actual
wall for the people
in the past.
- It's a natural wall.
- It protects from the West.
- Yeah, they cannot come in.
Wow, it's pretty amazing,
look at the sunset there.
Hello!
(Sam's voice echoes)
You can hear your echo in here.
Woo, I'm the end of the
world, look at this.
Amazing.
Woo hoo!
(wind blowing)
What's incredible is
there's no tourists here,
I'm the only tourist here. The whole place
is empty, it's quiet, incredible.

Arabic: 
And it just shows how small humans
are in front of mother nature.
(mysterious music plays)
Sun just faded down now,
it's getting dark here
and it's very surreal coming here,
just the whole experience,
very few tourists.
But who knows, one day this will be a very
popular spot in Saudi Arabia.
This whole place feels
like another planet,
they are dark, and now
I have the Star Wars
music playing behind my head right now.
(Sam sings Star Wars theme) (record break)
(Saudi chanting music plays)
(loud drumming is added to the music)

English: 
And it just shows how small humans
are in front of mother nature.
(mysterious music plays)
Sun just faded down now,
it's getting dark here
and it's very surreal coming here,
just the whole experience,
very few tourists.
But who knows, one day this will be a very
popular spot in Saudi Arabia.
This whole place feels
like another planet,
they are dark, and now
I have the Star Wars
music playing behind my head right now.
(Sam sings Star Wars theme)
(record break)
(Saudi chanting music plays)

English: 
(loud drumming is added to the music)
(women laughing)
- Hello.
- [Sam] Hello.
Wow, Arabian nights.

Arabic: 
(women laughing) - Hello.
- [Sam] Hello.
Wow, Arabian nights.

English: 
(logo wooshing in)
Just arrived at Jeddah, new terminal.
(electronic hopeful music)
Since when does this terminal open?
(intense electronic happy music)
This is as good as you can get,
you get all the sofa and the comforts
sitting down and checking in.
Wow, there's a garden here.
(air wooshes)
(ding)

Arabic: 
(logo wooshing in)
Just arrived at Jeddah, new terminal.
(electronic hopeful music)
Since when does this terminal open?
(intense electronic happy music)
This is as good as you can get,
you get all the sofa and the comforts
sitting down and checking in.
Wow, there's a garden here.
(air wooshes)
(ding)
