Category: expats

How Expats with Dependent Iqama can apply for Saudi Driving License

Great news for women in Saudi Arabia who are under their husbands or fathers sponsorship, and previously unable to register online to apply for Saudi driving license. There has been an issue with so called “dependent iqama” holders, in other words women who are under their fathers,Read more

How to Make The Most Out Of Being An Expat Wife in Saudi Arabia

Are you an expat wife or a stay at home mom in Saudi Arabia? Followed your husband to the land of sand leaving your own professional career behind? Read the tips below by guest post author Daprize from the All Writing Saudi Blog on how to make the most out of your time as an expat wife in SaudiRead more

How to Import Pets into Saudi Arabia

Planning to relocate to Saudi Arabia and want to bring your beloved pet with you? Dogs and cats are like family members and often the best solution for them is to relocate to the new home along with their families. You’ll find all the detailed information how to import cats and dogs intoRead more

20 Blogs From Saudi Arabia You Should Be Reading In 2016

Here are 20 blogs from Saudi Arabia you should be reading in 2016. All of them give a unique glimpse into life in Saudi Arabia from different perspectives. Back when I started writing the Blue Abaya blog in 2010, the Saudi blogosphere was still relatively quiet, but blogging has since become moreRead more

Souk Okaz Festival in Saudi Arabia- Like an Ancient Arabian Adventure Movie!

The Souk Okaz festival in Taif is the re-birth of an ancient Arabian market dating back to Pre-Islamic times. The modern-day Souk Okaz was re-created on the exact same location in the Saudi Arabian desert where the ancient souk was historically held. The Souk Okaz Festival was revived in 2006 byRead more

An Expat’s Guide to Riyadh

Excited to announce Blue Abaya’s recent interview and collaboration with Riyadh’s Radisson Blu Hotel!  The following is my interview with Radisson Blu hotel in Riyadh which contains some sightseeing & activity tips for newcomers and business travellers to Saudi Arabia’sRead more

Complete Guide to Janadriyah Cultural Festival 2015

Your Complete Guide to Al Janadriyah Cultural Heritage Festival in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia brought to you by Blue Abaya. An Updated guide to visit the National festival of Heritage and culture can be found here: Janadriyah 2016 Festival Guide.  Find all you need to know about the Janadriya festivalRead more

Ramadan and Eid al Fitr in Saudi Arabia

Learn all about the Holy Month of Ramadan and Eid al Fitr holidays in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from the following Blue Abaya posts. The first post on Ramadan is back from 2010 when the blog began and it’s called ‘Magic Month in the Kingdom‘. A good read for those not familiarRead more

Top Ten Restaurants in the Eastern Province (Dammam, Al Khobar, Jubail)

What are the best and most popular restaurants in the Eastern Province? Blue Abaya in collaboration with Suzanne Greenfield, the founder of the Foodies groups, recently conducted a poll among members of the ‘EP Foodies’ Facebook group, to find the most popular restaurants in Dammam, AlRead more

Twelve Reasons You Should Learn Arabic!

Are you a new expatriate arrival in the Saudi Kingdom? Already been in Saudi Arabia for years, but never thought you should learn Arabic? Read these 12 points why you should learn the local language and get motivated to start today! 12 reasons you should learn Arabic: Make new friends and connectRead more

Blue Abaya- A Finnish Expat Blogging in Saudi Arabia

The following article takes a look at and analyzes a group of well-known blogs written by foreign wives of Saudis, the three popular expat blogs about life in Saudi Arabia; two American bloggers American Bedu, Susie of Arabia and one blogger hailing from Finland; the Blue Abaya blog. The articleRead more

Ten Pools In Riyadh To Cool Off In This Summer!

There’s no doubt that summer is here to stay. It’s getting hotter by the day with recorded temperatures reaching almost 50C! Lots of women are looking for swimming pools in Riyadh that could be used by females only. There aren’t many olympic sized public swimming pools out there,Read more