Al Waba (also spelled Wahbah) Crater is a large volcanic crater which is 2.2 km in diameter and around 250 meters deep, located in the heart of Saudi Arabia. It is great spot for a day trip from KAUST, Taif, Jeddah, or Medina for an overnight to go hiking and exploring in the winter months. I’ve had… Read More »
We just got back from visiting the new epicenter of tourism in Saudi Arabia – Al Ula and the Nabatean settlement of Mada’in Saleh. We’ve had loads of people ask about the trip seeking tips and advice, so with that in mind, below is a bit about our trip, including a logistical details for others… Read More »
Instagram is one of the most popular social media channels for people living at KAUST. If you follow some of the more popular hashtags, you’ll find many posts from and about life in our seaside University community: #KAUSTLife – my personal favorite #DestinationKAUST #KAUST Recently, my colleague and collaborator, Marcos Aguilar, suggested that I write… Read More »
Big news out of Saudi! New rules allowing tourist visas from a host of countries, including the US and the UK was launched yesterday. This is a game-changer for travelers who wish to experience Saudi first-hand.
Yesterday was the anniversary of our 8th year at KAUST, or as we like to call it, our KAUSTiversary! On July 11, 2011, Kevin and I packed up our life in the UK and moved to KAUST. It was an experiment and an adventure – one that has shaped us forever. The beginning I have… Read More »
[Update: the below information which was initially published in August 2015, has been refreshed in May 2019. I’ve curated the information to include current and accurate information.] For the second time, I asked our community Facebook page for suggestions for online tools that are invaluable for life at KAUST. Here is a round-up of what I learned: Tools… Read More »
I’ve always considered The Parade of Nations is THE best day of the year at KAUST. We collectively take a few moments to highlight our community’s multicultural spirit and the international mindset that drives so many of us to come to KAUST in the first place. I’ve written about this special KAUST event previously, here… Read More »
[Update November 2018 – the event info below has been refreshed, and the event is still running!] I want to be sure to help support a great community-driven event that happens every week here at KAUST: Wednesday Coffee Mornings at the Island Rec. Awhile ago, some non-working ladies began meeting at the Island Recreation Center… Read More »
About a year ago, my husband became a volunteer firefighter at KAUST. I can see that he’s really enjoyed the mental and physical challenge of joining this group, and I am beyond proud of him for supporting our community resilience in this way. I’m actually pretty jealous of his participation, and while I’m not technically… Read More »
After 7 years at KAUST, I hardly recall exactly what rush hour feels like anymore. I seem to remember it was boring and frustrating and annoying though! For many KAUST residents, the short commute to work is a major perk of the job. Most people start work at 8am at KAUST and there is a… Read More »