Diary Of A Poetic Traveler sample

Diary of a Poetic Traveler

Around Arabia

Day 1 20/11/09 Abha Town

It was 5am in the morning I left my compound gate,

My black cloak wrapped around me.

My ID which I kept safe.

The look like the locals was the best way to be,

This way I could travel and no one would stare at me.

I learned the local language to help me get around.

I caught the local taxi passing many towns.

The scariest driving I had seen,

Counting my blessings I paid the fees.

I was happy to see the airport,

A big relief for me,

So I went to the local cafe and had a cup of tea.

Through customs and immigration I did go,

Onto the plane waiting to load.

As the plane took off high in the sky.

It felt like a rollercoaster ride,

Up and down from side to side.

There was a sandwich and a cake brought to me,

I then ordered another cup of tea.

Two hours we did arrive,

Mountains carved like steps on every side.

The weather was cool and nice.

I caught a cab to my hotel

I quickly booked a room,

After refreshing up I slept till noon.

I then explored outside

Planning for tomorrow’s cable ride.

Day 2 21/11/09

After a good night sleep,

I opened the window and the air was sweet.

The coolness hit my face,

waking me up ready for the day.

After a bumpy taxi ride,

I was happy to see the cable cars up high.

Up high and down the mountains it was slow.

The people and animals looked like ants below.

I reached the dormant volcano creator below,

Which was once exploding long ago?

The sun was shining bright,

After some time I waited in the queue to go back high.

Some people started pushing in,

Then I planned and then I grinned.

Action girl was I,

Climbed the opposite stairs passing them by.

Back at the top I did reach,

Then feeling more adventurous and crossed the street.

Some baboons I did see, coming from Yemen as a family.

Abha and Yemen boarders are very close,

So you can see the Yemen Mountains most.

I went to Najjar town for the day;

I saw some fortresses on the way.

No photos are allowed was told to me,

But I used my palm indiscreetly,

Like a spy so no one would notice me.

When evening came,

I headed back to Abha again.

My travel papers I did organize,

Put them in a safe,

Locked nice and tight.

Day 3 Final day 22/11/09

When morning came I hit the town.

Had a good look around.

Some shops were big, some were small.

Some made of brick or straw.

Brought some dates, some ripe some raw.

Back to the hotel I went,

Checked myself out,

Off to the airport again.

Another bumpy taxi ride,

Back to the airport relieved still alive.

Looking forward to homeward bound.

My cozy flat in my job compound.

Desert Camping 3/6/10

Darkness falls across the sky.

I put up the tent ready for the night.

Stars glitter with the Milky Way,

A fire lit up to warm the place.

Stories are told of faraway lands.

As sleeping bags cover the sand.

Suddenly a scorpion appears,

Screams are heard and people disappear.

Once it’s gone we all come back,

Munching and crunching on our snacks.

I found it hard to sleep,

But it was nice to have some peace.

Morning came and I explored,

Found some fossil and more.

Before the sun rose very high.

We packed our tents and left the site.

Shaybah 28th Feb 2010

Of to the airport time to go,

What lays ahead nobody knows,

Catch the bus on time,

To reach the airport before nine.

Through the door I take a seat,

To wait for the boarding pass,

And to rest my feet.

At last the boarding time is announced,

On to the plane I do mount,

A prayer is read on the way,

To land us safely without delay.

Two hours later when I looked out,

Lots of red sand I could see about.

The plane has landed,

We all climb out,

The sun is bright as we look around.

Five minutes walk we reach the mini town,

Buffet lunch with sandwich and drink,

Burgers and fries and juice colored pink.

Of to the games room and then the tour,

Seeing how oil is drawn from the floor.

Drilling machines dig the ground,

Till oil pocket in the rocks are found.

From afternoon till evening we had snacks,

Feeling full we had time to relax,

In the evening we climbed the big red dunes.

Down the dune I did slide,

Straight for the buffet dinner,

Which was cooking outside.

Rice and chicken, vegetables and meat,

Spoilt on choice of what to eat.

Followed by desert and soda drink

Feeling full I couldn't think.

When darkness hit the town.

Onto the plane homeward bound.