Al Balad, Jeddah

Today finds us docked in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.  We'll be here for the next several days, and this afternoon we toured the historic neighbourhood of  Al Balad -- founded in the seventh century, it is now a World Heritage site.  Once the heart of Jeddah, it was an ancient trading port, and acted as the primary gateway to Mecca. 

Today it is filled with ancient buildings all leaning at crazy angles.  Many of them are being restored to their former glory, and it was a really fascinating place to wander about, admiring the beautifully carved wooden screened windows and balconies, the elegant doorways, and the graceful minarets of the mosques. 

The lady I am pictured with was one of our guides, and amazingly she has the same name as I do!