inclinations

Driving into Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Photographs

Villa in Olaya suburb in the north-west of Riyadh, near to Al Aruba Road and Al Akaria shopping centre. Our faithful and super-fast Toyota Cressida parked ready and waiting.

Olaya villa, Riyadh
Road from villa

Start of our commute into central Riyadh.

Underpass to King Faisal Foundation building

Approaching underpass before King Faisal Foundation building on left.

King Faisal building on left

King Faisal Foundation building on the left. On plan, the buildings form two facing triangles with two link bridges between.

Approaching Mecca road

The mad approach to what used to be called 'Suicide Road' - notorious for the number of fatal car crashes. The road swings violently right and leads onto a hairpin bend, three lanes into two, then into one!

Hairpin bend on Suicide Road

The hairpin bend on Suicide Road.

MOI building

The new (under construction in 1987) Ministry of Interior building - the Saudi space invader.

Underpass

The underpass under Al Mather Street with the Intercontinental Hotel on the right of the road.

Main drag into Riyadh

The break-neck dash down Tariq Al Malik Faisal street (minimum speed 60 mph - 95 klicks).

Approaching Al Mubarak hospital

Final turn coming up on the right alongside Al Mubarak hospital - otherwise known as the 'Blood Tub Depot'.

Side street leading to Al Washm Street

Onto the side street leading to Al Washm Street. Just made it for the 7:30am start! Well done faithful and powerful Toyota Cressida.