Saudi GP - Worth the trip?

Saudi GP - Worth the trip?

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kev b

Original Poster:

2,716 posts

167 months

Friday 19th January
quotequote all
Considering going to the Saudi Grand Prix this year.

Seems to be a good way to use up the remaining holiday entitlement, reasonably priced flghts and hotels.

The fly in the ointment seems to be the threat of missile attacks from Yemen.

Any PHers have advice please

kev b

Original Poster:

2,716 posts

167 months

Friday 19th January
quotequote all
Thanks, what is worth seeing and doing during a four night stay?

kev b

Original Poster:

2,716 posts

167 months

Saturday 20th January
quotequote all
Thank you Steve, thats the sort of quality info I’ve been waiting for.

Ramadan being imminent never crossed my mind, I’m not a drinker or dancer so would be able to cope with that.

For the posters sniping about Saudi human rights issues I’ll only be following in the footsteps of the oil and armament industries so I doubt me spending < £1K over there will make a difference either way!

I will of course be leaving behind my own nation currently dealing with another huge corruption scandal which imprisoned or took away the livelihood of thousands of Sub Postmasters with the collusion of the ruling class.

Not to mention a two year old starving to death unnoticed in a busy town despite being known to the authorities.

The Saudi regime is stuck in the middle ages and I cannot excuse their actions but visiting there for a few days will not make a difference either way.

Perhaps I should travel to another race instead? USA perhaps where racist cops harass or even execute people in the street with impunity and people fear their children will be shot and killed at school?
Where the government thinks they can increase their global influence by pretending to be the worlds police force including supplying arms to Saudi Arabia.

Seem to have come full circle there!

kev b

Original Poster:

2,716 posts

167 months

Sunday 21st January
quotequote all
Thanks Steve, very informative, especially as you actually live out there.

Strange that no one else has any info to add, at one time it seemed that half of PH lived and worked in the region.

I’m assuming it would be best to time my visit in order to fly back the day after race day thus avoiding too much Ramadan?

kev b

Original Poster:

2,716 posts

167 months

Sunday 21st January
quotequote all
Not to mention all those prisoners kept chained and shackled, with equipment made here in the UK!

Lets talk about women's rights then, the chances of even getting your attacker to court never mind a conviction are very very slim.

Just about regime in the world has state sponsored murder and corruption, there have been notable examples here, scientists ” suicide”,bodies in sports bags, Northern Ireland assassinations, lets not pretend the UK is any better.

As for executions, the majority of our own populace support capital punishment as many polls have shown.

Can we return to the subject please, start a thread of your own if you want to discuss Middle Eastern politics.


kev b

Original Poster:

2,716 posts

167 months

Sunday 21st January
quotequote all
I have holiday entitlement to use up before April but and noticed that I could have three or four nights in warm and sunny KSA, watch an F1 night race for about the price of lunch in the rain at Silverstone.

I’m not a drinker or a coke and hookers sort, so wandering around in sunshine for a weekend in March with an F1 night race included seemed like a good idea. However being the cautious type I thought asking PH for advice seemed sensible.

For the naysayers which alternative race held before April would you suggest?


kev b

Original Poster:

2,716 posts

167 months

Sunday 21st January
quotequote all
I think Japan is definitely mission creep and may prove a touch more expensive.

Flying to Japan for the weekend despite its exemplary human rights record would probably have the PH ecologists frothing at the mouth. Thanks for the suggestion anyway.

kev b

Original Poster:

2,716 posts

167 months

Sunday 21st January
quotequote all
I’m not supporting this particular regime, I was simply asking for advice on a weekend break.

Firstly politics and now LBGT!

Wait until they vegetarians chime in, better not mention I sometimes eat meat then.

What country is PC to visit then? Not many that hold an F1 event I’d guess.

A previous poster mentioned Japan, you know, the country that still kills and eats whales in the name of research, which personally makes my blood boil.

Give me a list of destinations and you can bet that each one has unacceptable practices, as I said before, don’t hijack my thread please start one of your own.

kev b

Original Poster:

2,716 posts

167 months

Monday 22nd January
quotequote all
Thanks to today’s contributors for providing excellent information enabling me to make a decision soon.

I considered flouncing from the thread as it seemed to be derailed but now we are back on track.