Have you ever had one of those travel moments where a single split-second decision completely transforms your day?
We were road-tripping through the breathtaking Asir region of southern Saudi Arabia, making our way toward the mountain city of Abha. The journey had already been an adventure – complete with foggy mountain passes, donkeys along the road (yes, Gavin proved they weren’t goats!), and roadside stalls packed with fresh local fruit. But as Friday afternoon rolled around, our stomachs started rumbling, and we set off to find a quiet local restaurant for lunch.
What happened next became one of our all-time favourite travel memories of kindness from Saudi Arabia.
The Breakfast of Champions
Our day actually started with a classic “travel failure” aftermath. We had rolled into a small hill town late the previous night in complete darkness, completely missing dinner. So, the next morning, our primary mission was finding breakfast.
We ended up at a little local bakery picking out butter cake and muffins – the absolute breakfast of champions! Properly refuelled, we hit the winding mountain roads heading toward Abha.
Roadside Discoveries
One of our favourite things about driving through Saudi Arabia is stopping at the colourful little roadside fruit stalls run by friendly locals.
We pulled over along the highway to stock up on fresh peaches and grapes, and the vendor insisted we try a mysterious, spiky fruit. (The kindness and hospitality is everywhere in Saudi!). While the boys weren’t completely sold on the strange texture, the peaches were perfection, and we were back on the road just as the heavy mountain fog began rolling over the cliffs.
Visibility dropped to about five feet in seconds before clearing up just as quickly. The landscapes here in the high-altitude south are wild, dramatic, and completely surprising if you assume Saudi Arabia is only endless sand dunes.
A Split-Second Decision in Halaba
By early afternoon, we were passing through the mountain town of Halaba (near Halba/Halasa). It was a Friday, which meant the streets were buzzing with families and locals who had just finished Juma (Friday afternoon prayers).
We pulled over, intent on finding a simple local joint for lunch. Just as we were scoping out the street, a local man named Muhammad walked up to our car window.
Now, we don’t speak Arabic, and Muhammad didn’t speak English, but hospitality is a universal language. With warm gestures and a big smile, he motioned for us to follow his car. He was inviting us – a family of complete strangers from New Zealand – into his home for lunch.
When you’re traveling, moments like this offer a choice: do you politely decline and stick to your safe, comfortable plan, or do you lean into the unknown?
We took a leap of faith, said “Shukran!”, and followed his car down the winding back streets of Halaba.
Arabic Coffee, Home-Cooked Feasts, and Virtual Translators
Muhammad welcomed us into his family’s beautiful mountain home, leading us into a bright sunroom overlooking the terraced hills.
Almost immediately, the famous Saudi hospitality kicked into high gear. We were served traditional Arabic coffee (gahwa) alongside fresh fruit – including apples, local olives, and fresh figs picked right outside.
Since we couldn’t speak Arabic, Muhammad pulled out his phone and dialled his daughter, Sarah, who speaks fantastic English. Over speakerphone, Sarah (who shares the exact same name as me!) translated for us from Tabuk, explaining that this mountain residence was their family’s favourite holiday getaway.
Having Sarah bridge the gap over the phone made the experience so special.
Sharing Friday Lunch in Halaba
The boys, Harry and Oscar, were immediately made to feel right at home, playing with toys while the feast for Friday lunch was prepared.
And what a feast it was!
Muhammad and his family laid out a massive home-cooked spread featuring tender roasted chicken, flavourful meat soups, fresh flatbreads, and an array of delicious vegetables grown right in the surrounding hills.
Sitting on the floor sharing a meal together in a total stranger’s home was again a humbling reminder of kindness. It shows again how unbelievably welcoming people are when you open yourself up to the world.
Exploring the Diwania above the Clouds
After lunch, while Muhammad went to the local mosque for afternoon prayers, we relaxed with another cup of spiced tea. But the hospitality didn’t stop there.
When he returned, Muhammad insisted on taking us further up into the mountains to a spot sitting over 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) above sea level. Up here, the air was crisp, cool, and blanketed in thick white clouds rolling through the terraced valleys.
Up Into the Hills of Halaba
Coming from the scorching heat of the lower desert regions, feeling a chill in the air up in Halaba felt remarkably like home in New Zealand!
He brought us to a traditional Diwania – a stunning, colourful reception room built in the distinct heritage style of the Asir region. Lined with vibrant, patterned cushions and rich floor carpets, it is a dedicated space designed specifically for hosting guests, sharing stories, and drinking coffee.
We sat together in the Diwania, exchanging stories about life in New Zealand versus life in Saudi Arabia (via hand signals and Google Translate), admiring the local architecture, and taking in the incredible mountain scenery.
Visiting a Traditional Family Home
As if our afternoon hadn’t been incredible enough, Muhammad then took us to see his family’s ancestral homestead. This was a truly fascinating glimpse into the history of the Asir region.
Tucked right into the hillside, the original lower floor of the house was well over a hundred years old and built partially underground. The build of the house had been made using historic stone-carving and rock-wall techniques to keep the rooms naturally cool during the hot summer months.
Stepping through the low-clearance doorways into his grandparents’ original rooms and traditional Diwania felt like stepping back in time. You could almost imagine seeing how families in these mist-shrouded hills must have lived generations ago.
Right outside this historic underground home was a huge, ancient fig tree. We don’t often have figs in New Zealand! But this one had branches that were heavy with ripe fruit that Muhammad eagerly picked for us to try.
Kindness & Why We Travel
We left Halaba that evening with full stomachs, hearts full of gratitude, and a memory that no tour bus or travel guidebook could ever replicate.
When people ask us what makes traveling through Saudi Arabia so special, it isn’t just the historic forts or the dramatic mountain scenery – it’s the genuine, overwhelming warmth of the people. Muhammad didn’t know us, but he saw a family traveling far from home and opened his doors without hesitation.
It was a powerful reminder of why we travel in the first place: to connect, to break down barriers, and to experience the incredible kindness of strangers.
More About Saudi Arabia
Planning your own adventure to Saudi Arabia?
Check out more of our travel guides and stories:
- The Ultimate Saudi Arabia Itinerary: 7-, 10- or 14-Days in KSA.
- Crossing the Bahrain to Saudi Arabia Border: Manama to KSA by Taxi.
- Saudi Arabia Travel Guide: Everything You Need To Know About KSA.
- Wadi Disah: How To Visit the Oasis of Wadi Al Disah.
Planning for Travel in Middle East and Beyond
These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere in Asia.
- Skyscanner – This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have insurance before further planning Dammam and Saudi Arabia!