Lady Anne Blunt’s Wadi Sirhan Journey

In “A Pilgrimage To Nejd”, Lady Anne Blunt offers a vivid account of her journey through Arabia in the mid-19th century. Her narrative, rich in detail and observation, presents a unique glimpse into the lands and peoples of a region largely unexplored by Western travellers at the time.  Key Takeaways: Blunt’s writing style combines the … Read more

St. John Philby in Eastern Saudi Arabia

In the early 20th century, Harry St. John Philby, an explorer and writer, embarked on a remarkable journey through the Arabian Peninsula, an adventure meticulously chronicled in his book “Heart Of Arabia”. This narrative offers an in-depth look at his travels from ‘Uqair to Al Hasa, two towns situated on the eastern shores of Saudi … Read more

Sur to Jebel Akhdar: James Wellstead’s Trek

James Wellsted recounts in his book, “Travels in Arabia” a journey from Muscat to Sur, marking the beginning of a remarkable chapter in his journey. This departure was an escape from the “insalubrious” climate of Muscat, which, at that time, proved particularly detrimental to European constitutions. Wellsted’s observations in Muscat were grim, noting the significant … Read more

Pilgrims in English Ships: Reflections by John Keane

John Keane, an Englishman born in 1854, embarked on a remarkable journey in his twenties, venturing extensively through the Hejaz region of Arabia. His written account, “My Journey to Medinah,” provides a unique glimpse into his travels, focusing on a camel caravan pilgrimage from Mecca to Medina. However, within this larger narrative of Arabian exploration, … Read more

Lady Anne Blunt’s Nefud Desert Journey

Few works capture the essence and mystique of the Arabian Peninsula as vividly as Lady Anne Blunt’s account, “A Pilgrimage To Nejd.” Her narrative, set in the mid-19th century, chronicles a daring expedition into the heart of Arabia, a region then little known to the Western world. Key Takeaways: Lady Anne Blunt’s journey included the … Read more

An Englishman in Al-Uqayr 1918: St. John Philby’s Observations

In the early 20th century, Harry St. John Philby embarked on a series of explorations across the Arabian Peninsula, documenting his findings in the seminal work, “Heart Of Arabia.” Through his extensive travels in Arabia, Philby provided a detailed account of the customs, economic practices, and daily life in regions such as Hasa, Wadi Dawasir … Read more